Colt (Home and Away)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting |
| Founded | January 17, 1988 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Website | 7plus |
Home and Away is a well-known Australian soap opera. This section details the characters introduced in 1998, all under the leadership of executive producer John Holmes. The show's 11th season premiered on the Seven Network on 12 January 1998. The initial new addition was Will Smith, brought to life by Zac Drayson. Shortly thereafter, the Nash family was introduced, consisting of parents Joel and Natalie, along with their children Tom and Gypsy. In April, the birth of Olivia Fraser Richards was featured. September marked the arrival of Byron Fisher and Will's sister, Hayley, portrayed by Bec Cartwright. October included a guest appearance by Scott Major as the armed robber Murray, followed by the introduction of David D'Angelo in November.
Will Smith
Will Smith, enacted by Zac Drayson, made his first appearance on 13 February 1998. He remained a regular character until 2002, with occasional guest spots until 2005, before returning in 2010 accompanied by his daughter. Initially, Drayson was cast as Tom Nash, but producers reassigned him to the more rugged role of Will. Will's storyline concluded when he left Summer Bay after marrying Gypsy Nash (Kimberley Cooper). Originally depicted as a "hot-tempered troublemaker," Will reconnected with his siblings Hayley (Rebecca Hewitt) and Nick (Chris Egan) before evolving into a dependable character.
Natalie Nash
Natalie Nash, played by Angelica la Bozzetta, debuted on 18 February 1998. After Debra Lawrance exited her role as Pippa Ross in 1997, the production introduced the Nash family to oversee the caravan park, a central location in the series. The family included Natalie and Joel Nash (David Woodley) alongside their children Gypsy (Kimberley Cooper) and Tom (Graeme Squires). La Bozzetta departed late in 1998 to dedicate time to her daughter, with Antoinette Byron stepping into the role at the start of the 1999 season. Channel 5 recognized the episode featuring the Nash family's return to Summer Bay as one of the most memorable in the show's quarter-century history.
Joel Nash
Joel Nash, portrayed by David Woodley, first appeared on 18 February 1998 and exited on 11 October 2000. Prior to acting, Woodley served as a federal police officer in Melbourne. He had previously appeared on the show in 1996 as Barry, Finlay Roberts' partner.
Gypsy Nash
Gypsy Nash, brought to life by Kimberley Cooper, was introduced on 18 February 1998 and departed in 2002, with a brief return from September to October 2011. The creation of the Nash family followed Debra Lawrance's departure, relocating Gypsy, Tom, Natalie, and Joel from Hong Kong to Summer Bay. Cooper described Gypsy's comeback in 2011 as "dramatic," returning alongside her daughter Lily that September. At the 41st Logie Awards, Cooper earned "Most Popular New Female Talent," becoming the first recipient of this accolade. Gypsy's kidnapping plot received a nomination for "Most Dramatic Storyline" at the 1999 Inside Soap Awards. In 2000, Cooper won "Best Aussie Actress." Holy Soap listed Gypsy among the "Sexiest Home and Away girls ever," noting significant story arcs such as her kidnapping ordeal and motherhood with Will Smith.
Tom Nash
Tom Nash, portrayed by Graeme Squires, made his debut on 18 February 1998. Initially, the role was intended for Zac Drayson, but producers reassigned him to play Will Smith, leading to Squires securing the part. After a two-year tenure, Squires exited Home and Away in early 2000, with his final appearance broadcast on 16 May 2000. He briefly reprised the role for the series' 3,000th episode special in 2001.
Squires regarded this role as his first significant acting opportunity and expressed appreciation for the chance. The official Home and Away website described Tom as a "classic cricket-in-summer, rugby-in-winter type; athletic, attractive, and somewhat of a ladies' man." Squires acknowledged shared traits with his character, such as creativity and an affinity for outdoor activities, but noted he was more reserved compared to Tom’s extroverted personality.
For his work as Tom Nash, Squires received a nomination for Most Popular New Male Talent at the Logie Awards of 1999. The character was well-received by critics; Robin Oliver from The Sydney Morning Herald referred to Tom and Gypsy as "attractive youngsters," while Steven Murphy of Inside Soap highlighted the romance between Tom and Terri as one of the show's most passionate storylines. Claire Brand and Annette Dasey of Inside Soap called Tom "Summer Bay's favorite," and Tina Baker from Soaplife affectionately labeled him "tasty Tom."
Olivia Fraser Richards
Olivia Fraser Richards first appeared on-screen on 20 April 1998 as the daughter of Lachlan Fraser (Richard Grieve) and Chloe Richards (Kristy Wright). Upon her return in 2005, the character was portrayed by Ivy Latimer. Following Chloe's death, Olivia departed Summer Bay with her uncle James (Michael Piccirilli). In October 2015, Olivia reemerged with Raechelle Banno assuming the role. She returned to Summer Bay seeking support from her mother’s former foster carer, Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger), after experiencing difficulties at school in London. Upon arrival, Olivia displayed flirtatious behavior towards VJ Patterson (Matt Little); Banno described her character as "very forward" and eager to attract attention.
Hayley Smith
Hayley Smith was portrayed by Rebecca Cartwright from September 1998 until September 2005, after which Ella Scott Lynch took over the role until November 2005 following Cartwright's departure due to personal reasons. The character was recognized by The Sun-Herald as one of Australian television drama’s most beloved figures. Cartwright earned the 2005 Logie Award for Most Popular Actress for her portrayal and was also nominated for a Gold Logie that same year. Hayley was depicted as "trouble-prone" and "an artistic young widow who has overcome a graffiti problem," underscoring her complex storyline within the series.
Byron Fisher
Byron Fisher, represented by several child actors, first appeared on 16 September 1998 as a figment in his mother Marilyn's (Emily Symons) dream during pregnancy. Born on 16 February 1999, he was played by Brittany Jones and Joel Sanders-Aguius. Nathanial Davey later portrayed an 11-year-old Byron in a visionary sequence.
Byron is the son of Marilyn and Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn), receiving the middle name Vincent after Vinnie Patterson (Ryan Kwanten) rushed Marilyn to hospital during labor. Initially, Marilyn struggled with postnatal depression, causing emotional distance from both Byron and Donald. Upon her return, she found bonding challenging due to Byron’s nanny, Ellen Porter (Anne Grigg), but eventually they established a stable family environment.
This harmony was disrupted when Byron was diagnosed with cancer necessitating treatment abroad. Marilyn and Byron traveled to America for medical care; Donald sold a valuable painting to finance the treatment. Sadly, Byron passed away. Donald attended Byron’s funeral alone after Marilyn vanished again and later authored Letter to Byron, illustrated by Hayley Smith (Bec Cartwright).
Byron later appeared as an 11-year-old vision to Marilyn during her encounters with the late Amber Copeland (Mitzi Ruhlman). His birth episode was honored by Channel 5 as one of their "Best Ever" episodes.
Murray
Murray, brought to life by Scott Major, made his first appearance on 20 October 1998. A reviewer from The Advertiser labeled him as "a dangerous and armed young man" who shoots Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie) after being turned down for employment. Channel 5 singled out Murray's diner hostage situation as one of the standout episodes in the series.
Murray enters the Bayside diner, requests breakfast, but soon reveals he lacks any money. When Ailsa Stewart (Judy Nunn) tries to contact the authorities, he locks the entrance and takes her hostage. Her spouse, Alf (Ray Meagher), attempts to intervene but is prevented. Murray steals the cash float and prepares to escape but panics and shoots Sally in the leg when police officers Joel Nash (David Woodley) and Terri Garner (Alyson Standen) arrive.
He escapes and hides in a cave where he takes hostage Sam Marshall (Ryan Clark) and Hayley Smith (Bec Cartwright). Hayley's brother Will (Zac Drayson) and his partner Gypsy Nash (Kimberley Cooper) are also captured. The teenagers try to break free but fail; Will negotiates Murray’s surrender in return for Gypsy’s release. Officers Joel and Constable Barry Dennis (Mark Shaw) arrest him. Later, Murray appears as a figment in Ailsa's mind when a similar-looking customer visits the diner.
David D'Angelo
David D'Angelo (also known as Robert Perez) first appeared on 9 November 1998, initially portrayed by Valentino Arico, followed by Ross Pennissi (credited as Mr. X), and finally Tony Poli until the character exited on 13 October 1999.
David’s narrative revolves around seeking vengeance against Joel Nash (David Woodley), who had imprisoned him for 15 years in Hong Kong. Under the guise of Gypsy Nash's (Kimberley Cooper) tutor, he abducts her to exert pressure on Joel. Cooper described working with Poli as demanding yet supportive, highlighting his constructive feedback and contrasting his off-screen demeanor with that of his character.
Upon arriving in Summer Bay, David clandestinely records conversations involving the Nash family while adopting the alias Robert Perez. He begins dating Gypsy, moves into the Caravan Park, and advertises himself as a mathematics tutor, hired by Joel and Natalie Nash to assist Gypsy academically. Travis and Rebecca Nash grow suspicious of David’s awareness of family matters and alert Joel and Natalie. Subsequently, David kidnaps Gypsy, holding her captive for three weeks while sending cryptic messages to her relatives. Later, he abducts Joel, assumes his identity, drains his bank account, and sets fire to the Nash residence with Natalie, Tom, and Gypsy inside. During the fire, David takes Natalie hostage but is apprehended after Joel rescues her. Though imprisoned, David taunts Joel about Gypsy.
Months later, David escapes jail to retrieve stolen money buried in the bush but discovers it has been taken by Duncan Stewart and Gazza Boyd. He threatens Duncan and Ailsa Stewart, seizes Duncan as a hostage, and attempts to flee with accomplice Lauren Healy. Joel pursues them; after a chase ends near a cliff edge, Joel saves David from falling. David files a false complaint against Joel but is re-incarcerated once his allegation is disproved.
David’s vendetta was named among the top TV cliffhangers of 1998 by Rachel Browne of The Sun-Herald, who described him as a "Hooded Psycho bent on revenge" ahead of the 1999 season launch. His abduction of Gypsy and stalking of the Nash family earned a nomination for "Most Dramatic Storyline" at the 1999 Inside Soap Awards.
Others
| Date(s) | Character | Actor | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19–20 January | Gordon Macleay | Danny Adcock | Unlawful arms trafficker discovered adrift by Travis Nash (Nic Testoni); subsequently hospitalized. |
| 22 January | George Baker | James Hagan | Legal representative for Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher); recommends settling with Jesse McGregor (Ben Unwin) out of court for $10,000. |
| 23 January–2 February | Sludge | Steve Pate | Companion of Sam (Ryan Clark); serves as alibi during involvement with Rod Sutton's (Nick Atkinson) ram-raiding crew. |
| 22 January | Warren Hickson | Andrew Marshall | Childcare Services official; notifies Pippa Ross (Debra Lawrence) about her departure and foster children arrangements. |
| 30 January | Christine McKenzie | Linda Newton | Conservative politician promoting immigrant deportation; triggers community protest. |
| 2 February–30 October 2000 | Barry Dennis | Mark Shaw | Local police officer frequently engaged in law enforcement activities alongside Joel Nash (David Woodley). |
| 3 February | Darren | Jordon Askill | Drummer auditioning for the band formed by Joey Rainbow (Alex O'Han) and Aaron Welles (Ritchie Gudgeon). |
| 25–27 February | Carol Williams | Diana Davidson | Neighbor causing annoyance to Lachlan Fraser (Richard Grieve) and Chloe Richards (Kristy Wright). |
| 10–11 March | Ralph Marchant | Nicholas Garsden | Tour leader whose group causes a boat accident involving Vinnie Patterson (Ryan Kwanten) and Travis Nash (Nic Testoni). |
| 18 March–24 April | Jason Duncan | Paul Kelman | Bonza Burger manager; engages in an affair leading to wife Tamara's departure; employs Vinnie Patterson who attempts to get dismissed; eventually exits the Bay. |
| 18–25 March | Tamara Duncan | Sarah Aubrey | Wife of Jason Duncan; leaves him upon uncovering his infidelity and denies him access to their unborn child. |
| 26 March | Chris Brown | Luke Jacobz | Soccer player at Summer Bay High intentionally injured by Will Smith (Zac Drayson) due to jealousy. |
| 30 March | Geoffrey Burns | Ben Price | Encounters Selina Roberts (Tempany Deckert) in Africa and brings her to Ironbridge for malaria recovery. |
| Bill Burns | Michael Carter | Geoffrey's father; briefly shows interest in Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger); later invites her to visit. | |
| Waitress | Lorraine Brown | Serves Bill Burns and Irene Roberts at the Ironbridge café. | |
| George | Richard Clohessy | Colleague of Geoffrey Burns; invites Geoffrey on a trip to the Greek Isles after Selina reunites with Steven Matheson. | |
| 31 March–2 April | Pam Edmonson | Rebecca O'Dare | Competitor at surf carnival; meets Sam Marshall (Ryan Clark) and wins the girls' under-18 race. |
| 3–6 April | George Berry | Rhiannon Mason | Foster child in crisis care temporarily placed with Travis Nash and Rebecca Nash; displays challenging behavior before moving on. |
| 8 April–28 May | Bruce "Chook" Fowler | Shannon Cooper | Friend of Sam Marshall involved in drug purchase incident resulting in near expulsion, later overturned by Donald Fisher. |
| 9–21 April | Sugar O'Donnell | Brooke Gissing | Dates Tom Nash (Graeme Squires); relationship ends when she leaves him for Ben (Tony Gibson). |
| 9–17 April | Candy O'Donnell | Bianca Gissing | Twin sister of Sugar; dates Aaron Welles (Ritchie Gudgeon). |
| 15–24 April | Nigel Whittaker | Stephen Holford | Interior designer engaged by Ailsa Stewart (Judy Nunn) for Bayside Diner refurbishment. |
| 17 April | Ben | Tony Gibson | Lead vocalist of a band; Sugar O'Donnell leaves Tom Nash to be with him. |
| 20–21 April | Dr Matthew | Alan Lock | Physician delivering newborn Olivia Fraser Richards, daughter of Lachlan Fraser and Chloe Richards. |
| 22 April | Christina | Marina Finlay | Editor of Cheeky Magazine awarding Joey Rainbow (Alex O'Han) $1000 for essay competition win. |
| Isabella | Kylie Watson | ||
| 22–23 April | Policeman | Reg Cribb | Stops Kylie Burton (Roslyn Oades) for speeding; Kylie uses Rebecca Nash's identity to avoid arrest. |
| 1–20 May | Harry MacKintosh | Sam O'Dell | Senior student supplying drugs to Lillian Reynolds; intimidates Gypsy Nash and Will Smith, leading to confrontation halted by Natalie Nash. |
| 12 May–5 June | Leila | Michelle Fondacaro | Year 11 student from Iran; alternates dating Aaron Welles and Tom Nash but ultimately chooses neither after competing for attention. |
| 20–25 May | Professor Dunstan | David Nettheim | Neurosurgeon treating Lachlan Fraser during brain tumor surgery; provides reassurance but Lachlan later falls into coma requiring urgent intervention. |
| 22 May–18 February 2000 | Emily O'Kane | Rochelle Eardley | Friend of Rachel McGregor (Sarah Mumcu). |
| 22 May–12 June | Mardi O'Kane | Kelly Cawley | Mother of Emily O'Kane; briefly dates Jesse McGregor but relationship ends due to his unresolved feelings for Kylie Burton, Rachel's mother. |
| 19 June–22 October | Daria Ellis | Tamra Williams | Dates Sam Marshall; struggles with revealing epilepsy diagnosis; disapproves of her father's relationship with Sally Fletcher; relationship ends when Sam leaves her for Hayley Smith. |
| 19 June–4 September | Sean Ellis | Mark Gerber | Daria's father; opens surf shop and dates Sally Fletcher despite local objections; relationship ends after estranged wife Tanya returns causing disputes; Sean departs from the Bay. |
| 24 June–17 March 2003 | John Wilson | Bryan Wiseman | Physician at Northern Districts Hospital. |
| 1 July | Mark Hollis | Matt Juarez | Kidnaps Rachel McGregor from shopping center along with Jason and Mrs. Hollis. |
| Jason | Shaun Losesby | ||
| Mrs Hollis | Felicity Soper | ||
| 9 July–14 August | Colt | Brendan Cowell | Frontman of rock band Monkey Jam; recruits Aaron Welles against objections from Justine Welles and foster carers Alf and Ailsa Stewart; briefly involved with Tiegan Brook who later returns solo from tour. |
| 13–29 July | Phil Flatley | Benjamin Hawker | Drummer for Monkey Jam critical of Aaron Welles' musical style. |
| 15–30 July | Judith Wade | Lyn Lovett | Owner of mall store annoyed by local teenagers; accuses Will Smith of assault but withdraws charges upon realizing error. |
| 16–27 July | Mr. Wade | David Whitford | Husband of Judith Wade explaining her paranoia resulting from prior mugging incident. |
| 20 July–6 August | Douglas Dawson | Ivar Kants | Conducts computer classes attended by Irene Roberts who develops interest but is surprised to learn he is gay. |
| "23 July 1998 – 26 October 2003" | "Mike Carter" | "Stephen Leeder" | "Detective Inspector managing investigations at Yabbie Creek police station prior to replacement." |
| "13 August" | "Max" | "Steve McCarthy" | "Boyfriend of Douglas Dawson introduced to Irene Roberts." |
| "Margaret Burton" | "Lynne Turner" | "Mother of Kylie Burton attending her funeral." | |
| scope="row"=20 August–3 September | "Eddie" | "Tim McCunn" | "Chantal's boyfriend who blackmails Marilyn Fisher; both arrested." |
| scope="row"=24 August–3 September | "Tanya Ellis" | "Antonia Murphy" | "Sean Ellis's ex-wife attempting reconciliation but ultimately departs after conflicts." |
| scope="row"=21–30 September | "Catherine Clements" | "Belinda Giblin" | "Blind caravan park patron who befriends Alf Stewart and rescues him during fire." |
| scope="row"=22 September–29 October | "Suzie Morris" | "Lauren Dubois" | "Year 11 student competing with Justine Welles over Tom Nash, securing Juliet role in school play." |
| scope="row"=24 September–13 October | "John Simpson" | "Bryan Marshall" | "School inspector who exerts controlling influence over Irene Roberts, frames her for theft, later exposed and arrested." |
| scope=row rowspan=3=25 November | "Dana" | "Uncredited" | "New partner of Lachlan Fraser appearing at family Thanksgiving in California; later marries Lachlan before his passing." |
| "Charlie" | "Ben Read" | ||
| "Father" | "Jim Converse" |
External links
- Cast and characters on the Official AU Home and Away site
- Cast and characters on the Official UK Home and Away platform
- Cast and characters at the Internet Movie Database