| Yashvi Rebecchi | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Neighbours character | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Portrayed by | Olivia Junkeer | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2017–2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 24 April 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | 16 November 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Jason Herbison | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spin-off appearances | Neighbours: Erinsborough High (2019) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yashvi Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Olivia Junkeer. She was created when producers struggled to find the right male actor to play the Rebecchis' son, which resulted in them changing the character's gender at the last moment. Yashvi was introduced along with her parents, sister and aunt as part of an expansion of the serial's Rebecchi family. Junkeer auditioned for the role shortly after finishing her last year of school. She doubted she would win the part, as the producers thought she was too old for the role. However, she learned she had been cast in December 2016 and she started on set the following month. Junkeer was pleased to be representing fellow women of colour on Australian television and said her on-screen family represented her own mixed-race family. She made her first appearance in the episode broadcast on 24 April 2017. Junkeer also played the role in the 2019 spin-off series Erinsborough High.
Yashvi was initially portrayed as a confident, opportunistic, rebellious teenager. Junkeer also called her head strong and feisty, while praising her open vulnerability. Junkeer enjoyed having the opportunity to explore Yashvi's development from 15 to 18 years old. Early storylines for the character saw the introduction of her first love interest, Evan Lewis (Joe Klocek), who she later learns has been trolling a neighbour online. Yashvi later pursues a career in the AFLW, a story in which writers also explored racism, as Yahsvi is bullied by a teammate. Junkeer said the storyline was one of her favourites and felt that it reflected society. A romantic relationship was later established between Yashvi and Ned Willis (Ben Hall), which proved divisive among viewers because of the age gap between them. This was later used as a plot device when Scarlett Brady (Christie Whelan Browne) developed an obsession with Ned and manipulated the couple into breaking up. Junkeer said the storyline sees Yashvi at her most vulnerable. The storyline comes to a climax during episodes set at Halloween when Scarlett stabs both Ned and Yashvi, who attempts to rescue him.
After airing a reconciliation for the pair, producers reintroduced Scarlett in October 2020. Scarlett frames Ned for her murder, which leads to him and Yashvi staging a fake wedding to lure her out of hiding. Junkeer enjoyed playing a bride, but she was not keen for Ned and Yashvi to marry for real, as she liked playing out the unpredictable nature of their relationship. Writers broke the couple up for good in June 2021 after Ned develops a connection with Sheila Canning (Shareena Clanton). Outside of her relationship plots, Yashvi joins the police force and is paired with Levi Canning (Richie Morris). Junkeer felt the development was a natural progression for the character. Yashvi and Levi investigate a drug dealing network and learn Detective Dax Braddock (Dean Kirkright) is involved, which leads to a siege at the local high school, where Dax holds Yashvi and several other characters hostage. Yashvi is later involved in a high speed car chase and crash while pursuing two suspects. The crash is one of the biggest stunts filmed for the show in recent history. Junkeer announced her departure from Neighbours in July 2021. She cited a desire to pursue new roles and the exits of her on-screen family as her reasons for leaving. Her final scenes were broadcast on 13 July 2021, however she later returned in July 2022 for the show's then finale. Junkeer reprised the role once again in 2023, following the show's return.