Britt Grey

Home and Away

Company type	Television series
Industry	Television, Entertainment
Founded	January 17, 1988 (1988-01-17)
Headquarters	Australia
Area served	Australia

Home and Away is a long-running Australian soap opera that premiered on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. This compilation highlights characters introduced throughout 2008, all under the guidance of series producer Cameron Welsh. The show's twenty-first season commenced on 28 January 2008. The first new figure to appear was deputy principal Martin Bartlett, portrayed by Bob Baines, who debuted in February. March saw the arrival of Trent Dalzell as Axel Hay, David Downer as Ross Buckton, and Celeste Dodwell as Melody Jones. In April, Tessa James joined the cast in the role of Nicole Franklin. May introduced Jordan Rodrigues and Oliver Davis playing Jai Fernandez and Oliver Phillips, respectively. June brought in Esther Anderson and Rebecca Breeds as sisters Charlie and Ruby Buckton. On 8 July, Luke Jacobz and Paul Pantano became part of the series as Angelo Rosetta and Elliot Gillen. Finally, in November, David Jones-Roberts began his portrayal of Xavier Austin.

Martin Bartlett

Martin Bartlett, played by Bob Baines, made his first appearance on 12 February 2008. He arrives at Summer Bay High as the new deputy principal, succeeding Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn), following an appointment initiated by Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie). After Sally suffers a stabbing, Martin is promoted to principal by the school's board.

Previously a Science teacher at Summer Bay High, Martin hires Jazz Curtis (Rachel Gordon) to serve as his secretary but dismisses her after she attempts blackmail. Subsequently, he brings in his former pupil Kirsty Sutherland (Christie Hayes) to replace Jazz. Despite Kirsty being involved with Miles Copeland (Josh Quong Tart), Martin develops feelings for her. When Kirsty's son Oliver sustains a broken arm while under the care of others, Martin takes responsibility.

Tensions escalate when Martin uncovers Kirsty's work as an escort at the Sands resort—a service he himself has utilized—causing friction with Miles. After terminating her employment, Martin provides a reference that assists Kirsty in securing a new position at the resort.

During the senior formal overseen by Martin, chaos ensues when Kane Phillips' (Sam Atwell) vehicle crashes through the wall of the venue. Martin sustains fractured ribs but recovers following hospitalization.

He also organizes a commemorative school trek honoring Dan Baker (Tim Campbell (actor)). The event turns perilous when Trey Palmer (Luke Bracey) plants an explosive device on the bus carrying students hostage. The bomb is safely defused by Hugo Austin (Bernard Curry). In the aftermath, Martin resigns to embark on a cruise, appointing Gina Austin (Sonia Todd) as his replacement.

Axel Hay

Axel Hay, portrayed by Trent Dalzell, first appeared on screen on 19 March 2008.

Prior to Axel’s departure from the series, he and Jai Fernandez (Jordan Rodrigues) are struck by a drunk driver, Larry Jefferies (Paul Gleeson), who then flees the scene. Actor Todd Lasance, who plays Aden Jefferies, explained that Axel is hospitalized with severe injuries whereas Jai escapes mostly unscathed. Both boys have fragmented memories but recall a silver estate vehicle, which leads to uncovering that Aden's father was behind the incident.

Axel is introduced as a fellow student alongside Aden Jefferies. At a party hosted by Nicole Franklin (Tessa James), Axel behaves inappropriately toward Belle Taylor (Jessica Tovey) and later attempts to assault Melody Jones (Celeste Dodwell). When Geoff Campbell (Lincoln Lewis) intervenes, Axel is assaulted and ends up hospitalized. Although reluctant to involve law enforcement initially, suspicion falls upon Geoff and Aden. Belle pieces together Aden’s guilt from his indifferent response. Axel’s reputation deteriorates; he apologizes to Melody and forms a friendship with Jai. Ultimately, Axel succumbs to injuries sustained in the hit-and-run caused by Aden's father and later appears as a hallucination during Melody’s nightmares.

Ross Buckton

Ross Michael Buckton, portrayed by David Downer, first appeared on 21 May 2008. Upon his arrival at Yabbie Creek Police Station, Ross takes charge of investigating the murder of Sam Holden (Jessica Chapnik), conducting interviews with significant individuals such as Martha MacKenzie (Jodi Gordon) and Jazz Curtis (Rachel Gordon). Initially suspecting Jack and Martha Holden of involvement, Ross later withdraws the charges after Morag Bellingham (Cornelia Frances) provides evidence confirming Sam’s death was a suicide.

Ross and Morag revive a former romance despite obstacles, including Ross’s concealment of his wife Elsie’s passing and resistance from his daughter Charlie, though his other daughter Ruby offers her support. Ross eventually proposes, and they marry in a private ceremony followed by a honeymoon trip to Europe.

Upon returning the next year, Ross begins to show signs of memory loss and unpredictable behavior. After unnecessarily reopening an old investigation, Rachel Armstrong (Amy Mathews) diagnoses him with Alzheimer's disease. Following hazardous events such as nearly causing a house fire, Ross consents to move into care with Morag by his side.

When Grant Bledcoe’s (Clayton Watson) body is discovered, Charlie becomes implicated and suspended from her duties. Ross admits to having killed Grant years earlier in retaliation for Grant’s assault on Charlie during their teenage years. Facing murder charges, Ross awaits trial until his death in 2011; his funeral is held in Summer Bay.

Melody Jones

Melody Jones, played by Celeste Dodwell, was cast in December 2007 shortly after completing her drama Higher School Certificate (HSC). Dodwell initially auditioned for the role of Nicole Franklin, which was eventually given to Tessa James. Her agent provided her with Melody’s detailed character description, which piqued her interest. Dodwell later exited the show to pursue drama studies in the United Kingdom.

Nicole Franklin

Nicole Franklin, enacted by Tessa James, made her debut on 18 April 2008. The announcement of James’s casting came in January 2008, with Executive Producer Cameron Welsh commending her as an "exciting talent" anticipated to connect well with viewers. James relocated to Sydney for this role and described working on Home and Away as an invaluable opportunity for professional growth. Notably, Celeste Dodwell had originally auditioned for Nicole.

Nicole's prominent storylines featured rekindling a romance while stranded on a desert island and enduring a hostage situation, both receiving media attention. Inside Soap labeled her a "flighty minx from the city," whereas the Daily Record described her as a "fiery favourite." TV Week identified James as one of the show’s most promising performers and suggested she was poised for opportunities in Hollywood.

Jai Fernandez

Jai Fernandez, portrayed by Jordan Rodrigues, first appeared on 19 May 2008. Transitioning from theatre to television, Rodrigues described the role as an entirely new challenge and expressed enthusiasm about gaining recognition from audiences. Jai’s backstory involves losing his family during the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, linking him to established character Miles Copeland (Josh Quong Tart), who brings him to Summer Bay. Initial tension arises due to Jai's resentment towards Miles for leaving him behind in Phuket, complicating Miles’ efforts to help Jai adapt to life in a small town.

Rodrigues departed the series in 2009 to join ABC's Dance Academy. His portrayal earned him a nomination for "Most Popular New Talent" at the 2009 Logie Awards.

Jai is found at an urban refuge by Miles; despite initial hostility, he relocates to Summer Bay. Struggling with school integration, Jai befriends fellow outsider Axel Hay (Trent Dalzell). After Axel dies in a scooter accident caused by a drunk driver, Jai adopts a reckless attitude that leads him into risky behavior and sparks a romantic relationship with Annie Campbell (Charlotte Best). Although their guardians initially disapprove, they eventually accept the couple.

The pair face difficulties including Annie becoming trapped in a storm drain and encountering bullying from Trey Palmer (Luke Bracey), who falsely accuses others of wrongdoing. Jai retaliates by threatening to reveal Trey’s history of weight problems.

Jai’s relationship with Annie deteriorates after he drunkenly admits his desire to sleep with her; they subsequently separate. Later, Jai is accidentally shot with an old shotgun discovered on Martha MacKenzie’s farm but recovers following collapse during a school trek. He grows jealous when Annie shows interest in Dexter Walker (Tom Green) and refuses their explanations.

Jai's spirits lift when foster care friend Romeo Smith (Luke Mitchell) arrives; however, Romeo's interest in Annie complicates matters further. Eventually, Jai accepts a student exchange opportunity to Japan. After supporting Kirsty Phillips and Miles through a miscarriage, Jai and Annie leave together following farewells with friends.

Oliver Phillips

Oliver "Ollie" Phillips is the child of Kirsty and Kane Phillips. His first appearance occurs when Irene Roberts collects him due to illness, requiring hospitalization. Despite medical and police interventions, Ollie remains uncommunicative. Kane, who is on the run, secretly visits Ollie before Kirsty withdraws him from the hospital after Kane's unsuccessful robbery attempt and subsequent capture.

Ollie and Kirsty reside with Irene but create friction when Ollie reveals Belle Taylor's relationship and disrupts her work. Subsequently, Kirsty relocates them to a caravan park and later accepts an offer from Miles Copeland to live in his home, establishing a family unit with Miles and Jai.

Following Kane’s release from prison, Ollie recognizes him and ultimately leaves with both parents. They return due to difficulties in Kane and Kirsty’s relationship. After Kane permanently departs, Kirsty informs Ollie of her pregnancy, which excites him; however, she suffers a miscarriage. Ollie then meets his grandmother Shelley Sutherland, who takes them to live with the family in the city.

Charlie Buckton

Charlie Buckton, portrayed by former model Esther Anderson, made her debut on 6 June 2008. Anderson was cast to introduce additional "sex appeal" to Home and Away. A long-time admirer of the show, she expressed great enthusiasm upon securing the role. In November 2011, Anderson exited the series to pursue acting opportunities in Hollywood.

Throughout her tenure as Charlie, Anderson received several award nominations, including "Sexiest Female" at the 2008 Inside Soap Awards, "Best Daytime Star" in 2010 at the same awards, as well as Logie nominations for "Most Popular Personality on Australian Television" and "Most Popular Actress" in 2010. The episode depicting Charlie's death was nominated by the Australian Writers' Guild. Critics characterized Charlie as a "sexy sergeant" and labeled her as the show's "cutest crime fighter."

Ruby Buckton

Ruby Buckton, played by Rebecca Breeds, first appeared on 20 June 2008. Created by executive producer Cameron Welsh, Ruby is portrayed as carefree yet concealing deep emotions behind a tough exterior. Struggling with her mother's passing, she internalizes her grief, presenting herself as independent and reserved. Breeds highlighted Ruby's determination and strong family values, emphasizing her confident and free-spirited personality.

In June 2012, Breeds filmed her final scenes before departing from Home and Away. Although bound by contractual restrictions preventing detailed discussion of her exit, she indicated Ruby’s storyline was left open-ended. Breeds received a Logie Award nomination for "Most Popular New Female Talent" in 2009 and was later nominated for "Most Popular Actress" in 2010, underscoring the character’s appeal. Additionally, at the 2012 Inside Soap Awards, she earned a nomination for "Best Daytime Star". Holy Soap recognized Ruby’s notable moments, such as dealing with her father's illness and engaging in lighthearted interactions with other characters.

Angelo Rosetta

Angelo Rosetta, brought to life by Luke Jacobz, debuted on 8 July 2008. Jacobz secured this role following the cancellation of McLeod's Daughters, where he had a recurring part. Initially contracted for six months, he relocated from South Australia to Sydney prior to landing this role. In February 2011, it was announced that Jacobz had completed filming and would be departing Home and Away within several months. The official website described Angelo as originating from a tight-knit family with three brothers and initially perceived as loudmouthed with limited prospects.

Jacobz earned a nomination for 'Most Popular Actor' at the 2010 Logie Awards for his depiction of Angelo and also received a nomination for "Best Daytime Star" at the Inside Soap Awards that same year.

Elliot Gillen

Elliot Gillen, played by Paul Pantano, was featured on-screen between 8 July and 26 August 2008. Pantano received attention in Digital Spy's spotlight on gay characters. Central to his narrative, Elliot poses threats to Roman Harris (Conrad Coleby), Nicole Franklin (Tessa James), and Geoff Campbell (Lincoln Lewis). Driven by vengeance over his brother Mark's death, Elliot holds Roman responsible and menaces Nicole. He assaults Geoff with a speargun and compels Roman to endure a lethal obstacle course.

Elliot's arrival in Summer Bay is motivated by his search for Roman, whose brother Mark had served alongside him in the SAS before being killed in Afghanistan. Skeptical of the official version of Mark’s death, Elliot manipulates Roman by initiating a relationship with Nicole. After their breakup, Elliot abducts Nicole, coercing Roman to drink poison in exchange for her freedom. He confines Nicole on a boat, restricting her oxygen supply, and harms Geoff when he intervenes.

Roman complies with Elliot’s demands and subsequently confronts a series of deadly traps set by Elliot in the wilderness—surviving an arrow attack, a landslide, and an explosion from a mine—before defeating Elliot and handing him over to the authorities. While in custody, Roman reveals that Mark had threatened their unit to surrender and was shot by Roman to prevent this; Mark was later captured and killed by enemy forces. Overcome with emotion, Elliot discloses Nicole’s whereabouts and faces charges including kidnapping and attempted murder.

Xavier Austin

Xavier Austin, portrayed by David Jones-Roberts, made his debut on 20 November 2008 and departed on 3 July 2012 when he left Summer Bay to reside permanently in Goulburn. Jones-Roberts earned the role after attending four auditions, calling the accomplishment "all the more awesome" given the extended wait. His casting was confirmed during a surfing outing via a pay phone call. The soap opera website Holy Soap notes Xavier’s standout moment as witnessing Brendan cause a serious car accident using a catapult.

Others

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Summary
28 January–11 February	Aaron Copeland	Timothy Walter	Father of Sally Fletcher and Miles Copeland, now deceased. Aaron struggled with alcoholism and domestic violence, which fractured his family. After learning of his wife's passing, he sought custody of Sally but eventually left her with foster parents Tom and Pippa Fletcher. Aaron passed away in 2000 due to alcohol-related causes.
11 February	Diana Wilson	Uncredited	Deceased mother of Sally and Miles Copeland, appearing through flashbacks. Her troubled marriage to Aaron ended following his disappearance; she later died in a boating accident alongside her second husband.
11 February	Mrs Keating	Uncredited	Diana Wilson’s mother and grandmother to Sally and Miles Copeland, shown in flashbacks living in a care facility due to Alzheimer’s disease.
18 February–23 August 2010	Anasthesist	Philip Dodd	Medical staff member at Northern Districts Hospital treating key characters after violent events.
28 February–23 May	Gavin Johnson	Daniel Feuerriegel	Editor at Coastal News and employer of Belle Taylor; recognized for contentious editorial choices impacting local residents such as Aden Jefferies and Sally Fletcher.
4 March–13 June	Cara Phillips	Holly Robinson	Annie Campbell’s schoolmate involved in social disputes affecting fellow students.
18 March	Steve Bradford	Nicholas Holland	Donor who gifts Leah Patterson-Baker $100,000 as thanks for her late husband saving his son's life.
20 March–16 April	Joe Stephens	Terence Hepburn	Bartender hired to assault Sam Holden; later provides information concerning her final days.
25 March–12 May	Logan Roth	Radek Jonak	Associate of Johnny Cooper engaged in illegal fighting rings; linked to criminal acts resulting in arrests.
10 April–27 January 2009	Matthew Lyons	Ross Pirelli	Year 9 student exhibiting bullying behavior including online deceit and drug distribution at school functions.
14 April	Britt Grey	Meagan Drury	Estranged sister of Sam Holden; assumes guardianship of nephew Rory Tolhurst amid investigations into Sam’s death.
6–13 May	Danielle Hay	Katrina Risteska	Axel Hay’s sister; involved in school conflicts and academic discussions related to curriculum decisions.
7 May–26 February 2009	Christine Jones	Elizabeth Alexander (actress)	Melody Jones’ mother; creates tension over educational matters and personal relationships before relocating to New Zealand.
19 May	Peter Randall	Richard Gyoerffy	Operator of a youth refuge; offers insight into Jai Fernandez’s withdrawn behavior.
30 May	Jamie Cooper	Shardyn Fahey-Leigh	Son of Julie Cooper; overcomes aquaphobia with coaching assistance.
12 June–5 November 2012	Georgina Watson	Jaclyn Albergoni	Police officer stationed at Yabbie Creek; experiences professional conflicts before promotion to Sergeant following Charlie Buckton's death.
14 June–27 August	Jimmy Crawford	Adam Booth	Psychiatric patient with recurrent hospital stays; develops attachment to Rachel Armstrong; suspected but cleared regarding her disappearance.
20–27 June	Pat Jenkins	Lachlan Buchanan	Ruby Buckton's boyfriend; previously involved with her at former school leading to expulsion; relationship ends due to long-term doubts.
11 July	Mrs. Hay	Amelia Longhurst	Mother of Axel and Danielle Hay; devastated by Axel's death following a road accident.
15–24 July	Daisy Alexander	Jessica Smith	University roommate of Matilda Hunter in Perth, encouraging social engagement after breakup.
15–24 July	Nathan Cunningham	Andrew Lees (actor)	Resident advisor at university; involved in social tensions with Matilda Hunter and Ric Dalby.
1 September–6 October	Edward Jones	Errol Henderson	Husband of Christine Jones and father of Melody; involved in Melody's mental health challenges and family disputes.
2 September 2008 – 3 February 2009	Bridget Simmons	Joy Smithers	Engages in one-night stand with Tony Holden; becomes involved with Brian Lawler's criminal scams leading to kidnapping charges.
3–4 September	Earl Pincus	Alan Cinis	Homeless man aided by Miles Copeland who later commits theft from Ruby Buckton.
15 September–10 November	Murray Buchanan	Ben Tari	Council worker exposing toxic waste concealment linked to local development; threatened by developer Tim Coleman before vanishing.
26 September 2008 – 27 January 2009	Tim Coleman	Keiran Darcy-Smith	Construction site manager involved in theft, intimidation, and murder; apprehended following investigation by Angelo Rosetta and Charlie Buckton.
22 October–5 November	Natalie Franklin	Adrienne Pickering	Former partner of Roman Harris and mother of Nicole Franklin; relationship strained over differing views on Roy's advances; departs after reconciliation attempts.
23 October 2008 – 3 February 2009	Brian Lawler	Ric Herbert	Criminal partner of Bridget Simmons engaged in scams, blackmail, and kidnapping resulting in arrests implicating Bridget as accomplice.
18–24 November	Eric "Nobby" Nobbes	Mark Casamento	Connected to assault case involving Belle Taylor; recruited for undercover operation against Tim Coleman but murdered after exposure.

External links

• Cast and characters on the Official AU Home and Away website
• Cast and characters on the Official UK Home and Away website
• Cast and characters at the Internet Movie Database