Connor Nash
| Company type | Television soap opera |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | January 17, 1988 |
| Headquarters | Australia , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Products | Television drama series |
| Website | 7plus |
Home and Away is a well-known Australian soap opera. Below is a compilation of characters introduced in the year 2000, under the guidance of executive producer John Holmes. The show’s 13th season premiered on the Seven Network on 31 January 2000. The initial character to be introduced was Leah Poulos, portrayed by Ada Nicodemou in March. In May, Spencer McLaren joined the cast as Kieran Fletcher, who became a romantic interest for the established character Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie). The Sutherland family—Rhys, Shelley, and their daughters Dani, Kirsty, and Jade—were introduced in June. That same month, Rowena Wallace appeared as June, mother to the existing character Harry Reynolds. July saw the arrival of Susie Rugg as Brodie Hanson. In September, Beau Brady joined portraying Noah Lawson, followed by Ben Steel as Noah’s elder brother, Jude, in October.
Leah Poulos
Leah Poulos, played by Ada Nicodemou, made her first appearance on 22 March 2000. Nicodemou was offered an initial six-month contract after being approached by the producers, starting filming in November 1999, which was later extended. According to Yahoo!7, Leah is depicted as "a single mother with a strong work ethic who stands up for what she believes in," embodying confidence, approachability, and a lively spirit. Nicodemou earned several award nominations for this portrayal, including the Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television at the Logie Awards in 2001, 2002, and 2006, along with nominations for "Most Popular Actress" in 2002 and 2006. Additionally, she was recognized with nominations for "Best Actress" at the 2009 Inside Soap Awards and "Best Daytime Star" at both the 2010 and 2011 ceremonies.
Kieran Fletcher
Kieran Fletcher, portrayed by Spencer McLaren, appeared from 10 May to 15 June 2000. This role was among McLaren’s earliest after completing his studies at the NIDA in 1999.
Kieran encounters Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie) during an archaeological expedition in Ireland. Upon returning to Summer Bay together, they announce their engagement, surprising Sally’s close circle. Kieran then makes advances toward Gypsy Nash (Kimberley Cooper), who rejects him and threatens to expose his conduct to Sally. Kieran dismisses her accusations, questioning her credibility. On their wedding day, Gypsy interrupts the ceremony by accusing Kieran of inappropriate behavior. Although initially doubtful, Sally becomes convinced after both Hayley Smith (Bec Cartwright) and Colleen Smart (Lyn Collingwood) corroborate Gypsy’s account. Consequently, the wedding is called off, and following a confrontation with Sally’s foster brother Steven Matheson (Adam Willits), Kieran departs.
Jade Sutherland
Jade Sutherland, played by Kate Garven, debuted on 19 June 2000. This marked Garven’s first television role. She described her experience working on Home and Away positively, emphasizing her good relationship with the actors portraying her on-screen family members.
Jade is portrayed as the more reserved and "dreamy" sister among the Sutherlands, known for her love of reading and willingness to assist those in need. She has asthma, which causes her family to perceive her as delicate and handle her with extra care. Nevertheless, the official series website highlights that she is "stronger than many people realise." Garven characterized Jade as "a nice person and a very sweet girl."
A significant storyline involved Jade and Kirsty’s alleged telepathic bond being dismissed once it was revealed they were not biologically related—a plot twist that drew criticism for its lack of coherence. A columnist from the Sunday Mail deemed this narrative implausible, particularly commenting on the dramatic baby swap revelation involving Jade.
Dani Sutherland
Dani Sutherland, brought to life by Tammin Sursok, made her first appearance on 19 June 2000. Sursok landed the role in 1999 and described the opportunity as "incredible." After four years on the show, she decided to leave Home and Away to pursue a music career alongside other acting projects, also mentioning her dissatisfaction with the show's producers as a contributing factor. She valued that her character's departure was handled without any negative repercussions. For her portrayal, Sursok received the Most Popular New Female Talent Logie Award in 2001 and was nominated for Most Popular Actress three years later. Critics characterized Dani as both "unlucky-in-love" and "a determined individual."
Kirsty Sutherland
Kirsty Sutherland, played by Christie Hayes, also debuted on 19 June 2000. Hayes secured the role at just thirteen years old. In 2008, she made a return to the series, describing it as "coming home" despite noticeable changes in the show’s landscape. She exited again in 2009, completing her final scenes in August, feeling that it was the right moment and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to return.
The Armidale Express identified Kirsty's relationship with Kane as one of Home and Away’s most memorable and contentious storylines. The soap opera website Holy Soap labeled her concluding episode as emotionally powerful and referred to her wedding to Kane as "bizarre," highlighting the unusual double wedding setup but acknowledging that their private ceremony was understandable.
Rhys Sutherland
Rhys Sutherland, portrayed by Michael Beckley, first appeared on screen on 19 June 2000. Beckley, who had spent two decades in theatre, sought television work for greater career stability. Rhys is the patriarch of the five-member Sutherland family, who take over management of the Summer Bay Caravan Park. As a former footballer with a volatile temper, Rhys introduced fresh storylines independent of pre-existing character connections within the series.
Shelley Sutherland
Shelley Sutherland, enacted by Paula Forrest, also debuted on 19 June 2000. Alongside her husband Rhys, Shelley co-manages the local Caravan Park and frequently acts as a calming influence on Rhys’s fiery disposition. The character made intermittent returns in 2003, 2004, and briefly in 2009 to support her on-screen daughter Kirsty’s departure storyline.
June Reynolds
June Reynolds, played by Rowena Wallace, appeared from 29 June 2000 until 28 February 2003. She is mother to Harry Reynolds (Justin Melvey) and arrives in Summer Bay to stay with Harry and landlord Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn). Known for her straightforward manner and writing skills, June initially clashes with Harry but later reconciles following controversy surrounding her autobiography about his late father, Frank.
June revives a romance with Donald and assists with community events such as the school’s Rock Eisteddfod. However, she is exposed as a kleptomaniac after being caught stealing and then falsely accused of theft at the local Diner. Feeling betrayed by suspicions about her integrity, she leaves but returns to accompany Donald on his final day as principal; they depart together and eventually marry. By 2007, Donald reveals they have since divorced.
Brodie Hanson
Brodie Hanson, portrayed by Susie Rugg, made her debut on 20 July 2000. In 2004, Andrew Fraser of Inside Soap indicated that her comeback would involve a "sizzling love triangle" alongside a dramatic car crash storyline. Conversely, Sacha Molitorisz from The Sydney Morning Herald criticized the car crash episode as appealing mainly to "die hard fans," describing it as "unengaging" with "painful" acting and dialogue. They stressed that layering melodrama without sufficient character development results in shallow storytelling.
Noah Lawson
Noah Lawson, portrayed by Beau Brady, made his debut on 6 September 2000. Jacqueline Maley from The Sydney Morning Herald characterized Noah as a "bad boy" figure. Brady received a nomination for "Most Popular New Male Talent" at the 2001 Logie Awards and was consecutively nominated for the Silver Logie for "Most Popular Actor" from 2003 through 2005. The episode centered on Noah's funeral earned writer Louise Crane-Bowes an Australian Writers Guild award in 2005, with an additional nomination that same year for the episode featuring Noah’s ghost bidding farewell to Hayley.
Jude Lawson
Jude Lawson, enacted by Ben Steel, first appeared on 30 October 2000 and exited the series on 12 September 2002. Steel was nominated for the "Best New Male Talent" Logie Award in 2001 for his portrayal of Jude.
Others
2–11 May 17–24 May 18–19 May 18–19 May 1–2 June 5 June – 30 March 2001 5 June – 26 February 2009 5 June – 18 January 2001 14 June – 11 October 15 June 23 June 28–30 June 28 June 5 July 6–28 July 17–25 July 19 July (rowspan=2) 19 July 27–28 July 2 August – 2 October 2 August – 11 September 2–30 August 9 August – 7 September 2001 29 August – 6 September 6 September 5–11 October 11–13 October 24 October – 18 January 2001 21 November – 9 February 2001 22 November – 9 February 2001 24 November 24 November| Date(s) | Character | Actor | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11–16 February | Liang | Merci Chambers | Liang is a Chinese refugee living illegally in Australia. Discovered by Duncan Stewart, she is initially suspected of having typhoid but is later diagnosed with malaria and repatriated to China. |
| 16 February – 11 March 2003 | Debbie Smart | Kelly Butler | Debbie, wife of Lance Smart (Peter Vroom), arrives in Summer Bay, has conflicts with Lance’s mother Colleen, announces she is pregnant, and eventually reconciles with Lance during her visits. |
| 22 February, 25–26 May | Eve Smith | Alex Jones (flashback) Robyn Gibbes |
Eve, former spouse of Ken Smith and mother of Will, Hayley, and Nick, escapes from a mental health facility, threatens foster carer Irene Roberts, and is returned to institutional care after police involvement. |
| 25 February – 10 March | Curt Bacon | Rohan Michael | Curt directs a play starring Justine Welles but is exposed for inappropriate behavior during rehearsals. |
| 8–24 March | Brian Rogers | Gerry Tacovsky | Brian is Claire Rogers’ father. |
| 13 March | Ron Nicholas | Wayne Cull | Ron rents a boat for his son Charlie Nicholas’ homecoming celebration. |
| 14–31 March | Charlie Nicholas | Toby Schmitz | Charlie starts dating Gypsy Nash but dies as a result of a car accident. |
| 14 March – 14 September | Kirsten | Christa Nicola | Kirsten, Charlie’s former girlfriend, stalks Gypsy Nash following Charlie’s death before leaving Summer Bay. |
| 24 March – 21 April | Glenn Tanner | Craig Elliot | Glenn engages in an affair with Natalie Nash; she becomes pregnant but rejects him upon his arrival in Summer Bay. |
| 24 March – 19 January 2001 | Ted Simos | Harry Pavlidis | Ted, Leah Poulos’ ex-fiancé, attempts reconciliation twice but ultimately departs. |
| 31 March – 3 April | Philip Grigg | Barry Quinn | Surgeon who unsuccessfully attempts to save Charlie Nicholas following his accident. |
| 13 April – 11 May | Gilly Austen | Sarah Aubrey | British tourist who tricks Tom Nash into an engagement to obtain citizenship; relationship dissolves when her boyfriend is revealed. |
| 21 April – 26 February 2009 | Theo Poulos | Silvio Ofria | Father of Leah Patterson-Baker and her brothers; tries to influence Leah’s relationships and makes occasional visits to Summer Bay. |
| 27 April | Rod Branson | Russell Newman | Step-father of Mitch McColl. |
| 27 April | Mrs Branson | Lynne Porteous | |
| '\'\'\'Rory\'\'\' | 'Justin Cotta | 'Boyfriend of Gilly Austen. | |
| '\'\'\'Kate O'Connor\'\'\' | 'Kris McQuade' | 'Adoptive aunt to Shauna Bradley; pressures Ailsa Stewart concerning Shauna’s parentage. | |
| '\'\'\'Pongo\'\'\' | 'Putu Winchester' | 'Friend of Sam Marshall from professional surfing circuit. | |
| '\'\'\'Daniel Roxburgh\'\'\' | 'Michael Jenkinson' | 'Friend of Sam Marshall from surfing circuit. | |
| '\'\'\'Margaret Bradley\'\'\' | 'Sonja Tallis' | 'Shauna Bradley’s adoptive mother. | |
| '\'\'\'Janice Angelo\'\'\' | 'Clarissa House' | 'Childcare department worker involved with Mitch McColl and Hayley Smith; helps establish drop-in centre and supports child welfare matters. | |
| '\'\'\'Chris Poulos\'\'\' | 'Alex Blias' | 'Older brother of Leah Patterson-Baker. | |
| '\'\'\'Sandy King\'\'\' | 'Renee Hodson' | 'Pregnant woman assisted by Will Smith; mother to Bella Rose; enters relationship with Sam Marshall before returning to city life. | |
| '\'\'\'Luke Harvey\'\'\' | 'Nick Flint' | 'Best man and friend to Kieran Fletcher; supports Sally Fletcher through OCD challenges; engagement ends amid uncertainty. | |
| '\'\'\'Father MacKenzie\'\'\' | 'Michael Burgess' | 'Conducts wedding ceremony for Sally Fletcher and Kieran Fletcher. | |
| Edward Dunglass Snr.\ | 'Peter Sumner' | 'Appears posthumously via videotape discussing Huntington's Disease; father to Edward Dunglass. | |
| Kel\ | 'Ben Tate' | 'Dani Sutherland’s boyfriend; becomes confrontational discussing future plans; Will Smith intervenes. | |
| Jack Nash\ | 'John Grant' | 'Deceased father of Joel and Travis Nash; appears in flashbacks as Joel returns home. | |
| Mrs. Trent\ | 'Lois Ramsey' | 'Former neighbour of Ailsa Stewart who greets her during Melbourne visit. | |
| Tasha Mills\ | 'Georgie Shew' | 'Friend to Dani Sutherland; causes turmoil by releasing private tape; undergoes intense athletic training resulting in injury; involved in family tragedy linked to Ken Smith’s death. | |
| Rhonda Davies\ | 'Lynda Stoner' | 'Has an affair with Les Smart leading to their joint departure from Summer Bay. | |
| Roger Mackay\ | 'Paul Wilson ' | 'Father of Sarah Mackay; attends opening of drop-in centre named after daughter. | |
| Lisa Mackay\ | 'Laura Keneally' | ||
| Gerry Mills\ | 'Robert Noble' | 'Father of Tasha Mills. | |
| Gavin Campbell\ | 'Kim De Lury' | 'Journalist pursuing Shauna Bradley amid troubled marriage; suspected in wife’s death but cleared; dies rescuing family during mudslide disaster. | |
| Alicia Campbell\ | 'Caroline Brazier' | "Wife of Gavin Campbell; warns against Shauna Bradley; dies from cliff fall under suspicious but ultimately clarified circumstances." | |
| "Trisha Campbell'" | "Laura Peck" | "Daughter of Gavin and Alicia Campbell." | |
| "Jan Hanson'" | "Genevieve Sulway" | "Mother to Brodie Hanson and JT; attempts custody but withdraws after confrontation; returns later causing family tension leading to departure." | |
| "Stefan Hubert'" | "Damen Stephenson" | "Restaurant owner employing Leah Patterson-Baker; initially suspected by Vinnie Patterson but revealed as gay with partner Mel Davies." | |
| "Mel Davies'" | "Chris Scott" | "Partner of Stefan Hubert." | |
| "Connor Nash'" | "Connor Smith McKenzie Roberts Kaiden Eastough & Ryley Smith-Murdoch" |
"Son of Natalie Nash and Glenn Tanner; brought to Summer Bay following father’s injury." | |
| "JT Hanson'" | "Luke Ford" | "Brodie Hanson’s older brother involved in criminal activity causing conflict within Summer Bay community." | |
| "Bella Rose King'" | "Kelly Longhitano Jessica Walker Bianca Colisimo" |
"Newborn daughter of Sandy King and Warren." | |
| "George'" | "Keith Holloway" | "Neighbour opposing development plans threatening Irene Roberts’ property." | |
| "Dennis Scott'" | "Alistair Barnes" | "Representative from Surescape Holdings pressuring locals to sell property, culminating in his suicide." | |
| "Warren'" | "Jamie Happell" | "Sandy King’s ex-boyfriend and father to Bella Rose; unsuccessfully attempts to prevent their return to Summer Bay." | |
| "Eileen Van Der Horst'" | "Uncredited" | "Publisher for Donald Fisher's book Letter to Byron." |