Blake Dean (Home and Away)

Blake Dean
Occupation	Fictional character
Years active	1990–2005
Known for	Home and Away

Blake Dean is a fictional persona from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, broadcast on Channel Seven, and brought to life by actor Les Hill. His first appearance was on 26 July 1990.

Casting

At the time of his casting as Blake, Hill was sixteen years old and still attending school, marking his inaugural television role. Due to behavioral challenges, he left school and viewed this role as a stepping stone for his career. By 1992, Hill had established himself as one of the series' prominent actors, earning considerable income through public appearances. He attributed much of his growth to working alongside veteran performers such as Ray Meagher. Despite receiving offers from Baywatch, Hill chose to stay loyal to Home and Away. Although he initially departed following criticism aimed at the show, he returned for special story arcs in 2002 and again in 2005 to celebrate the program’s 4000th episode.

Character development

In the publication Home and Away Annual, authors Kesta Desmond and David Nicholls depict Blake as "the sort of boy any parent would be proud to call their son." He is characterized as "attractive and lively," embracing life enthusiastically while deeply valuing his friendships. While not a "goody two shoes," Blake frequently finds himself in trouble; however, his quick wit and natural charisma enable him to manage difficult situations effectively. Athletic and sociable, he enjoys spending time with girls, though he sometimes views them as frivolous or overly dependent. Hill confessed that some of Blake’s running scenes were tough due to his own fitness level. He recognized Blake’s rebellious traits, protective nature towards his sister Karen, and the guilt stemming from his mother's passing coinciding with his school difficulties. Hill expressed a desire for Blake to tackle more complex storylines and even described him as potentially "an absolute hoodlum".

Early episodes in 1991 introduced a love triangle involving Blake, Haydn Ross, and Sophie Simpson. Series producer Andrew Howie disclosed that Blake would later develop a romance with Meg Bowman (Cathy Godbold), who faces a severe illness. This plot was regarded as one of the "strongest and most relevant" narratives the series had produced. Meg's leukemia diagnosis and eventual death formed an emotional storyline that resonated deeply with audiences and increased viewership, particularly as Home and Away began competing directly with rival soap Neighbours. Godbold highlighted that her on-screen chemistry with Hill played a significant role in the storyline’s impact.

Hill described filming the emotionally charged Meg storyline as demanding but praised its authenticity and writing quality. Although he did not engage with leukemia patients during preparation, the arc received commendations from those affected by the disease. Godbold revealed that her personal relationship off-screen suffered due to jealousy linked to her on-screen rapport with Hill.

Subsequently, Blake becomes involved with Finlay Roberts (Tina Thomsen), who envisions a future together. Nevertheless, Blake’s unresolved feelings for Meg complicate their relationship, ultimately leading to their separation. After Finlay experiences a near-drowning while scuba diving, tensions develop between Blake and Finlay’s mother, Irene Roberts. Despite skepticism from others about his sincerity, Blake openly professes his love for Finlay.

When Blake returns in 2002, he arrives driving an eye-catching car and feels drawn once again to his former girlfriend Sophie.

Storylines

Blake arrives in Summer Bay accompanied by his younger sister Karen (Belinda Jarrett), in search of Ailsa Stewart (Judy Nunn), who had shared a prison sentence with their recently deceased mother, Margot. After enduring a difficult stay with their uncle Alec (Norm Galton), they hope Ailsa will offer them shelter. Although Alf initially refuses, Ailsa convinces him to let them stay. Early in their time at Summer Bay, Blake damages principal Donald Fisher's (Norman Coburn) car during a street cricket game, sparking a dispute over repair expenses, which they partly settle by doing gardening work.

At Summer Bay High, Blake first encounters conflict with teacher Grant Mitchell (Craig McLachlan), but later agrees to train for an iron man competition after a prank inspires him. Tensions rise with the arrival of new deputy principal Alan Stone (Philip Hinton), whose strict punishments provoke Blake to retaliate, ultimately resulting in Stone’s transfer. Struggling with the emotional weight of his mother’s death and a history of juvenile detention for car theft, Blake finds support from Ailsa, Alf, and teacher Patricia Coleman.

Blake starts dating Sophie; their relationship faces obstacles including jealousy over Sophie’s co-star Haydn and a brief separation. They strengthen their bond by fixing a malfunctioning car together. Later, Blake dates Rachel Webb (Beth Champion), but trouble arises when Rachel's brother Josh Webb (Eric Mitsak) seeks vengeance after being reported for drug dealing. When Josh attempts to kill Blake and his friends during a camping trip, they manage to stop him.

As social dynamics evolve, Blake covers for Karen’s involvement with local troublemaker Maurice "Revhead" Gibson (Gavin Harrison) and is shocked when they rob Alf’s store. Karen flees Summer Bay but causes a fatal accident involving Donald's nephew David Croft (Guy Pearce); she is subsequently arrested. Upon learning that Sophie is pregnant with David's child, Blake assists in arranging for Simon Fitzgerald (Richard Norton) to pretend to be the father to protect her. When Simon’s father Bill is revealed as a con artist, Simon moves in with the Stewarts.

Blake falls in love with Meg Bowman, who is battling leukemia. Despite warnings from her mother Julia, Blake pursues the relationship; together they fulfill Meg’s final wishes before her passing. Following her death, Blake becomes depressed and participates in an exchange trip organized by Alf. After returning, he reconnects with Simon and briefly dates Finlay but avoids serious commitment. After being caught kissing another girl, Finlay retaliates by sabotaging his exam alarm.

Blake’s estranged father Les Bagley (John Orcsik) reenters his life despite objections from family members. Discovering he has a half-sister Roxanne Miller (Lisa Lackey), Blake confronts Les about his neglect before returning to Summer Bay with Roxanne, reconciling with Alf. Developing scuba diving skills brings him closer to Finlay; after she recovers from a diving accident, they become a couple. Karen returns on parole but continues her destructive behavior, culminating in theft and fleeing Summer Bay; Blake tracks her down in the city but she refuses to return, leading him to remain there as well—ending his relationship with Finlay.

Nine years later, Blake returns for the town’s 150th anniversary celebration. After being stranded in the bush following a cruise ship wreck alongside Sally and Sophie, old feelings between Blake and Sophie resurface. They depart together despite disagreements over Sophie’s decision to act as a surrogate for Sally and Flynn Saunders (Martin Dingle-Wall; later Joel McIlroy). When Sophie discovers she is carrying twins—one belonging to Sally and Flynn, the other hers and Blake’s—her daughter Tamara calls Blake back. Although Sophie miscarries Sally’s baby, she delivers Blake’s son David without his presence.

Blake returns again two years later for Alf’s 60th birthday, offers an apology to Sophie, and expresses his dedication to her and their son David; Sophie agrees to reconcile.

Reception

In 1993, Inside Soap readers honored Blake as the "Best Male Character," while Hill received accolades for "Best Actor" and "Sexiest Man In Soap." Jess McGuire from Defamer regarded the intimate scenes between Sophie and Blake as more unsettling compared to other same-sex portrayals on the series. Darren Devlyn of News.com.au remarked that although Hill made an impactful debut on the acting scene through Home and Away, his full emergence as a performer came at a later stage. Michael Idato of The Age characterized Blake as a "rebellious teenager," highlighting that soap operas seldom cast actors contrary to their usual type, which mirrored Hill’s own image. A contributor for Stuff.co.nz described Blake as a "hunky teenager." According to Jenna Price from The Sydney Morning Herald, Hill possessed a "pleasant awkwardness" and quickly became the show's new leading figure, effectively replacing the legacy of Craig McLachlan.

When Finlay was admitted to hospital, Inside Soap speculated whether the writers intended to have two of Blake’s romantic partners die consecutively. Another commentator labeled Meg’s death in Blake’s arms as a "memorable soap moment," representing "the most sorrowful day in Summer Bay" that resonated deeply with viewers. Donna Hay from What's on TV featured Blake and Meg in a segment titled "marriages made in heaven," emphasizing their ill-fated relationship and how they cherished their time together until Meg’s passing.

External links

• Character profile at the Internet Movie Database