Pierce Greyson

Pierce Greyson is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Tim Robards. Robards secured the role after making an acting career a priority at the beginning of 2018. His agent put him forward for the seven-week role and auditions took place shortly before he married his fiancée in Italy. He began filming the week he returned from his honeymoon and finished up just as his first scenes went to air. Robards said was open to a return if it was another short stint, but a permanent role would mean giving up his job as a chiropractor and relocating to Melbourne, where the serial is filmed. Robards made his first appearance as Pierce during the episode broadcast on 5 October 2018.

Pierce is characterised as a suave, intelligent, wealthy businessman. Robards described his personality as being a mix of Harvey Specter, Christian Grey, and Robert Redford. He is also loyal, caring, values family and will do anything to help those he loves. The character initially arrives to carry out a business deal, but is soon involved in an indecent proposal-style storyline with Chloe Brennan (April Rose Pengilly), whom he soon develops feelings for. The storyline also explored the subject of sex in return for payment. Following a failed hotel takeover venture, Pierce departed on 19 November 2018. Robards reprised the role the following year and joined the main cast. Christie Hayes also joined the soap as Pierce's fiancée, Ebony Buttrose, and the pair become involved in a love triangle with Chloe. Pierce and Chloe later reconcile, and producers established a new family unit with the introduction of Pierce's son Hendrix Greyson (Benny Turland), whose introduction also led to further exploration of Pierce's fictional backstory.

Chloe and Pierce later marry and their relationship is immediately tested by the arrival of Hendrix's mother Lisa Rowsthorn (Jane Allsop), who asks Pierce to father another child with her. Further problems are caused by the return of Naomi Canning (Morgana O'Reilly) in May 2020, as writers established a connection between her and Pierce. A misunderstanding leads Pierce and Chloe to realise they have communication issues. This is followed by a surprise pregnancy for the couple. Robards hoped that his experience at being a first time father-to-be helped with his performance during the storyline. When Chloe has a miscarriage, the couple's marriage becomes strained and Pierce relies on his friendship with Dipi Rebecchi (Sharon Johal), whom he later has an affair with. Robards thought Pierce was able to be vulnerable with Dipi, which is something he was not used to. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing rules on set, Johal's husband Ankur Dogra was employed for the kissing scenes.

Amidst the affair storyline, the character was recast to Don Hany, as Robards chose to finish up four weeks early amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, so he could return to Sydney to be with his pregnant wife. Robards explained that the recast meant less disruption, as an early exit would mean scripts and episodes would have to be rewritten. Robards' final episode aired on 19 October, with Hany's first episode airing four days later on 23 October. Hany took over the end of Pierce's affair storyline and subsequent exit from the show. Hany later reprised the role for a brief stint from 2 June 2021, as Pierce returns to check on his son and finalise a business deal. The following year, Robards returned to the role for a storyline focusing on Hendrix set and filmed in Sydney. The character received positive attention from critics for his good looks, while a TV Week writer described his relationship with Chloe as "messy, complicated and fleeting as any good Neighbours romance." Robards faced criticism for his lack of acting experience and the recast was not well received by viewers.