Characterisation and introduction The serial's producers billed Bree as "laid-back, kind and caring", but that she was also hiding something behind her "bubbly demeanour". Godwin carried out her own research into the medical terms that Bree uses and she also spoke with the show's medical adviser. In order to portray the story as authentically as possible, Godwin carried out extensive research, which included talking to people involved with
White Ribbon Australia and listening to stories from survivors and psychologists. She also took part in the Walk for Women's and Girls Emergency Centre (WAGEC). Bree's home life starts to affect her job when she accuses
Dean Thompson (Patrick O'Connor) of abusing his pregnant partner
Ziggy Astoni (Sophie Dillman). The storyline sees Ziggy admitted to the hospital after a fall. Bree hears an over-protective Dean urging Ziggy to be more careful, as this is the second time she has fallen, while Ziggy apologises. Godwin said the tone Dean's uses is "triggering" for Bree and "alarm bells start ringing." Towards the end of the season, Jacob continues to watch Bree "like a hawk" and when he learns Remi and Bree are dating, he "storms" into her hotel room and demands that she leaves the Bay. He manages to overpower Remi and ties him to a chair, before giving Bree a "terrifying" ultimatum – leave with him or watch him smash Remi's hands with a hammer ending his music career. Rowland said that Remi would rather Jacob smash both his hands as long as he does not use the hammer on Bree. As the episode unfolds, viewers see that Bree and Jacob are camping out in remote bushland. As Jacob holds Bree in "what he considers a loving embrace", it is clear to viewers that she is "petrified" of him. Bree's guilt about Jacob's death is apparent throughout her police interview, despite reassurance from
Rose Delaney (Kirsty Mariller) that it is not her fault. Godwin said Bree's "world shatters" when she realises that Jacob is dead and knowing she has taken a life, it "cracks her identity." Knowing that victims of domestic violence struggle to regain their identity after leaving their partner, the writers incorporated this into Bree's story, but also added in some "sprinkles of hope". After keeping their relationship a secret, Bree later declares that she will get a divorce and she plans to take Remi on a public date. Rowland said his character feels relief that Bree has become "empowered" enough to break free from her marriage. The vast amount of guilt she feels leads Bree to end her relationship with Remi. Godwin commented that her character "doesn't have the emotional capacity to engage romantically with anyone." Praising the writer's decision to explore the issue, Anita Anabel of
Mediaweek pointed out that the subject of abortion had been "taboo" on television for years, while actress
Ada Nicodemou (who plays
Leah Patterson) believed that it would spark "familial discussions" and help viewers going through something similar. However, the couple faces several challenges, including Bree's reluctance to get physically intimate because of her trauma and her insecurity over Remi's job as a musician. Writers later introduced violinist
Mercedes Da Silva (
Amali Golden) to the Lyrik dynamic, which also causes trouble between Remi and Bree. Mercedes makes romantic advances towards Remi and later kisses him. Although he "set things straight" between them, Remi hides the kiss from Bree. She later overhears him and Mercedes talking at a recording session and Cullen said she is "ready to let loose". In the aftermath of the incident, Bree is "visibly unsettled" when she sees Remi celebrating the restoration of his bike with his friends, When Remi begins dating Stevie, Bree is quick to reassure him that she is fine with his new relationship, however, Rowland said that his character is not. He stated "Remi's putting on a tough façade, but he's hurting. As much as he wants to forget Bree, there are a ton of feelings he hasn't processed yet." When Stevie moves the production of her latest film to the Bay, her director Nelson is introduced and is "instantly interested" in Bree when they meet. A writer for
TV Week noted that Bree is "careful" about encouraging his attentions, but after he gives her his phone number, she agrees to a date. This was reflected on-screen after Bree and Remi end up at the same house following dates with their new partners. Bree questions whether the Bay is big enough for both couples, which Remi agrees with. In the build up to the reconciliation, Remi clashes with Bree when he learns she has been joining Nelson on motorcycle rides, remembering why they broke up. He also ends his relationship with Stevie to focus on himself. Stevie is later shot and Bree is unable to save her. Nelson quits as the director of the film and leaves the Bay for a new project.
Anxiety and OCD Writers began "a big new story" for the character in September 2024, after she is unable to save
Felicity Newman's (Jacqui Purvis) life and begins to struggle at work because of it. Bree is "haunted" by Felicity's death from a brain aneurysm and fixates on her last moments while she was in her care. Godwin explained "Bree was the doctor in charge of Felicity's case, and couldn't save her. She becomes terrified of making a mistake and losing another patient." Godwin also said that Bree feels somewhat responsible for the "devastating effect" Felicity's death has had on the community and she starts to doubt her ability as a doctor. This fear leaves Bree with a need to control everything and be overly cautious. Remi then expresses his views about her moving on from Felicity's death with professional help, but while it comes from a place of love, Bree does not want to hear it. Godwin told ''TV Week's'' Scott Ellis that her character is reluctant to seek help because she worries that the counsellor will report her to the hospital. Tahlia Pritchard of
Yahoo! Lifestyle observed that Felicity's death has likely led to Bree's past PTSD "flaring up again", with the added addition of OCD symptoms. Of the moment, Godwin stated "Bree doubts her ability to make the correct decision under pressure. She's lost in a loop of thoughts as she weighs up her options." However, Bree's issues are still not being dealt with, and Godwin reckoned that the emotions are "too painful for Bree to process" so her immediate reaction is to blame everyone else. She also pushes Remi away when he tells her to take responsibility for her actions. However, her return is marred by a "run in" with Alf's daughter
Roo Stewart (
Georgie Parker), who tells Bree that she is not sure she can forgive her for almost causing Alf's death. Rowland commented that his character is experiencing "a period of his life where he doesn't know what he's doing." Not long after the break-up, Bree is attacked by a patient at the hospital. The photo showed Godwin at a meal with some of the cast and crew, while the caption revealed that they were celebrating the birthday of one of the show's make-up artists and Godwin's farewell. Bree leaves Summer Bay after securing a new job working for Doctors Without Borders. Paying respect to their character's history, Bree and Remi had sex and realised that it was "the perfect goodbye". He later urged her not to forget him, with Bree replying that he had changed her life. Bree shared her final scenes with Remi, Mackenzie, and
Sonny Baldwin (Ryan Bown). ==Reception==