The Imposter | Preview (5)

A sprawling seaside hotel sits at the heart of a dispute between matriarch Helen and her three adult children, Simon, Kate and Ian. The kids want to sell, but Helen is against the lucrative deal, despite her ailing health.

But Helen also has a secret – an older child, Amanda, who she gave up for adoption in the UK before the other kids were born. When Amanda turns up out of the blue, Helen embraces her, believing she is the answer to her problems. But Amanda is actually an imposter, out to dupe Helen – in a plot that will lead to murder.

Jackie Woodburne plays Helen, Kym Marsh plays Amanda, Dannii Minogue plays Amanda, Don Hany plays Simon, Jane Harber plays Kate, Charlie Clausen plays Todd, Jackson Gallagher plays Ian and Kabir Singh plays Lee.

Episode 1: Matriarch Helen O’Riley owns and runs a hotel in a Melbourne beachside suburb alongside her three adult children Simon, Kate and Ian. There’s love in the family but there’s dysfunction too. Judgmental Helen believes that Simon is lazy and can’t be trusted.

While Kate and Ian are dedicated, Helen disapproves of their husbands, Todd and Lee. Real estate agent Todd wants the hotel sold while Lee has a history of recreational drug taking. Adding to the tension, Helen is hiding a medical condition.

Helen has an even bigger secret - a daughter, who she gave up for adoption at birth in the UK. She wrote to her a year earlier, but never heard back. Suddenly the daughter, Amanda, appears out of the blue. Helen is stunned and unsure of how to tell the other kids.

When Amanda saves her from being harassed by local thugs, led by ringleader Ryder, Helen’s forced to admit the truth. Simon appears sceptical while Kate is instantly threatened by the presence of a new sibling. Only Ian is truly welcoming. Todd’s mind goes straight to the hotel – he fears Amanda is after money. Kate is hurt by Todd’s harsh appraisal and lack of emotional support.

Helen and Amanda set about getting to know each other, leaving Kate and Ian feeling sidelined. Amanda instantly brings out a softness in Helen, cracking her tough exterior.

When Ryder sneaks into a hotel room, Todd flares. Undaunted, Ryder reminds Todd that he can blow the whistle on his dodgy dealings. As Amanda turns in for bed late at night, it's revealed she is meeting someone for a sexy rendezvous...

Episode 2: Flashbacks reveal the truth of Amanda’s identity. While Amanda continues to bond with Helen, Simon convinces Kate, Ian and Todd to draw up a legal agreement, preventing Amanda from making a claim on the hotel. As the family gather for a dinner party, Simon strategically engineers for Helen to find out, distancing himself from any involvement.

Sure enough, Helen blames the others, believing they are putting greed ahead of family. Amanda’s campaign to rehabilitate Simon in Helen’s eyes has begun. Later, Kate and Ian try to apologise to Helen, but Helen refuses to see them. The next morning, Amanda clears the air with Kate, playing both sides. Kate reveals her suspicion that Helen has a problem with her vision. Changing tack, Amanda persuades Helen to tell the kids everything. As Amanda expects, Kate sweeps in and insists on managing Helen’s medication.

Todd tries to hurry the sale of the hotel along, telling Kate they should build a case to petition the courts for Helen’s medical power of attorney. Kate continues to feel hurt by his ruthless attitude. Her daughter, Corrine, is troubled by the dynamic in the house.

Eden demands that Todd allow her the use of an empty luxury house that’s for sale. When the neighbours complain of noise, Todd takes a hit of GHB and rushes to the house. He tries to evict Eden from the pool, but she drags him in. Meanwhile, flashbacks reveal that Amanda is keeping secrets from him too…

Episode 3: Amanda reveals to Helen that Todd is plotting to obtain a court order to force her medical power of attorney. Later, Helen challenges Kate about the power of attorney.

Todd is on the edge, traumatised by the deaths of Ryder and Eden, and wired from a night of illicit drug taking. He tries to keep it together in front of Kate but when police start to investigate Ryder and Eden’s disappearances, he feels the net tighten.

Meanwhile, Amanda and Simon discover discarded GHB and syringes in the carpark. Unaware that Todd dropped them, Amanda is on track to drive a wedge between Helen, Kate and Lee, while elevating Simon’s status at the same time. As Todd’s behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and Amanda moves into Helen’s flat, Kate makes a decision. A ticking time bomb for the imposter Amanda…

After witnessing Amanda being secretive with her passport, Kate convinces Ian to invite her over to dinner and find out if she’s hiding something. Ian reluctantly agrees. Amanda is suspicious and keeps her wits about her while Ian gets drunk. Meanwhile, Kate tasks Corrine with trying to find Amanda’s passport. When Corrine fails, Kate messages Ian. The next morning Lee returns home and makes a horrifying discovery…

Episode 4: Amanda is the picture of innocence at Ian’s funeral. At the wake, Helen blames Lee for Ian’s salacious demise, citing Lee’s history of drug taking. Meanwhile Todd is curious at the revelation that Ian had GHB in his system.

Todd sneaks into Ian’s house, finding Amanda also there, acting strangely. Both become suspicious of the other, but neither are willing to poke the bear for fear of their own secrets unravelling. Meanwhile, Simon is rocked by Ian’s death and Amanda’s insistence that he provide an alibi for her. Simon never wanted anyone to die and he’s unsure of how Amanda fits into it all.

As grief consumes Helen, a surprise visitor arrives… Simon alerts Amanda to his presence downstairs, freaking her out. Simon is increasingly alarmed by Amanda’s refusal to give straight answers about the night Ian died.

Feeling that time is against her, Amanda arranges for Power of Attorney papers to drawn up, with Simon placed in charge of the hotel. Helen shakily signs the papers, though her fears about Amanda are growing. Todd rushes to the hotel and confronts Amanda, who is behind the wheel of Helen’s car, preparing to take her on a day trip with Simon.

Simon is stunned by her violent behaviour but can’t say anything as Amanda collects Helen and the trio drive out to remote bushland. At the hospital, Todd awakens to find Simon by his beside. Simon suggests they get their stories straight. Helen and Kate reconcile, then head outside to meet the real Amanda, who is waiting with Thomas and Bill. As the afternoon sun sets in the sky, Helen and her real daughter embrace, leaving us with hope for the future.

The Imposter begins Monday 15th December at 9pm on 5.