David Taylor (Home and Away)

Home and Away

Company type	Television series
Industry	Television soap opera
Founded	January 17, 1988 (1988-01-17)
Headquarters	Australia
Website	7plus.com.au/home-and-away

Home and Away is a long-running Australian soap opera that premiered on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. This compilation highlights characters who were introduced in 2006 under the guidance of series producer Julie McGuaran. The show's 19th season was broadcast from 16 January through 1 December 2006. Significant new additions included Amy Mathews as Rachel Armstrong in January, Jessica Tovey portraying Belle Taylor in February, and Sam North taking on the role of Dom Moran in April. Actors Rodger Corser and Trent Baines joined the cast as Doctor Hugh Sullivan and Macca MacKenzie, respectively. July saw the arrival of Bobby Morley as Drew Curtis alongside Chris Sadrinna playing Rachel's sibling, Brad Armstrong. In October, Jessica Chapnik debuted as Sam Tolhurst, accompanied by her son Rory Tolhurst, and the Cooper siblings—Rocco and Johnny—portrayed by Ian Meadows and Callan Mulvey.

Rachel Armstrong

Rachel Armstrong, brought to life by actress Amy Mathews, made her first appearance on 16 January 2006. Mathews departed from the series in 2010 to explore other career opportunities, which also led to the exit of her character’s husband, Tony Holden. Rachel is characterized by her keen intuition, intellectual sharpness, strong-willed independence, and resilience. Mathews emphasizes Rachel’s sociable demeanor, principled nature, and her capacity for romance. In recognition of this role, Mathews secured the Logie Award for "New Female Talent" in 2007 and received nominations for "Best Actress" and "Best Couple" at the Inside Soap Awards. A prominent storyline involved Rachel being held hostage by the Believers cult, a narrative that garnered attention within industry circles.

Belle Taylor

Susan "Belle" Taylor, played by Jessica Tovey, was introduced on 3 February 2006. Her major story arcs included searching for her biological mother, confronting drug addiction, developing a relationship with Aden Jefferies, and coping with a cancer diagnosis. Tovey exited the series in 2009, with Belle’s final episode airing on 11 August of that year. This role marked Tovey’s television debut at age 18.

According to RTÉ, Belle is depicted as a "cheeky, extroverted young girl" whose personality was molded by a "disciplined and controlling" upbringing, leaving her yearning for parental affection she never truly received. Her conservative parents were taken aback by her defiance of their traditional values.

Tovey earned multiple award nominations portraying Belle, including "Most Popular New Female Talent" at the 2007 Logie Awards, "Most Popular Actress" in 2010, and "Sexiest Female" at the 2007 Inside Soap Awards. In 2009, she was nominated for both "Best Actress" and "Best Storyline" for Belle’s drug addiction plotline. The wedding of Belle and Aden received a nomination in the Bride and Doom category at the 2010 All About Soap magazine awards. Additionally, Belle’s funeral episode was recognized with an Australian Writer's Guild Award nomination in 2010.

Virgin Media listed Belle and Aden among the "Soaps' sexiest couples," while viewers voted them as Home and Away's Hottest Couple in a poll conducted by Holy Soap.

Dom Moran

Dominic "Dom" Moran, played by Sam North, appeared on the show from 20 April 2006 until 14 February 2008.

Employed by his uncle Ray (Damien Garvey) at Moran Motors, Dom repeatedly causes problems through reckless stunts targeting Ric Dalby (Mark Furze), resulting in two injuries—once involving battery acid and another time with a malfunctioning jack that nearly crushes Ric. He also antagonizes Ric's girlfriend Belle Taylor (Jessica Tovey), which escalates into physical altercations. Due to his dangerous behavior, Ray dismisses Dom from the company.

A year later, Dom reappears supplying illicit car parts to Drew Curtis (Bobby Morley) for the "The Beast" vehicle and participates in drag races alongside local troublemaker Denni Maitland (Joshua Helman). One such race with Denni leads to the fatal accident of Lisa Duffy (Jessica McNamee). To evade charges related to stolen parts, Dom sets fire to Drew’s car but consents to assist in clearing Drew’s name if Belle kisses him. Following this, Dom admits his actions and is incarcerated.

After his release, Dom kidnaps Belle but is stopped by Drew and Ray. Later, he collapses at the diner where Belle rushes him to the hospital. Despite a strained encounter with Drew, Dom undergoes urgent surgery. Belle confesses to Drew that she told Dom she loved him solely to aid his recovery. With the help of physiotherapist Sam Holden (Jessica Chapnik), Dom begins rehabilitation but continues to pursue Belle.

Dom secures employment at the diner and taunts Drew for repeating Year 12. Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger) along with Roman Harris (Conrad Coleby) arrange an interview for Dom with Irene’s daughter, Finlay (Tina Thomsen), aiming to distance him from Belle. However, Dom ruins the opportunity and departs for the city, vowing to return for Belle.

Clayton Smales from The Townsville Bulletin criticized North’s portrayal as a "woeful turn," labeling Dom a "flannel-shirted, sparsely bearded Lothario."

Hugh Sullivan

Hugh Sullivan, enacted by Rodger Corser, first appeared on 5 April 2006 and made his final appearance on 12 June 2007. In October 2020, Corser was seen with Home and Away cast members in Coogee, fueling rumors about a potential comeback since his character was never killed off.

Hugh arrives in Summer Bay as both a friend and former romantic interest of Rachel Armstrong (Amy Mathews). During Leah Patterson-Baker’s (Ada Nicodemou) separation, he asks her out but is declined. Returning several months later, Hugh develops romantic feelings for Rachel, who is now married to Kim Hyde (Chris Hemsworth), serving as her confidant amid marital difficulties. He organizes a picnic involving Kim and Rachel and is awkwardly set up on a date with Nurse Julie Cooper (Lisa Hayson-Phillips).

Rachel invites Hugh to stay with her and Kim; however, after a tense medical conference where Rachel voices doubts about her marriage, Hugh moves out and begins sharing an apartment with Martha MacKenzie (Jodi Gordon). On an evening out, Hugh meets Ingrid Lynch (Leigh Shorten) but admits he is emotionally unavailable. Rachel confronts him about his feelings, leading to a kiss after she separates from Kim.

Hugh receives a job assignment in Johannesburg, telling Rachel he will only remain if they can be together. After Rachel hesitates, he leaves for South Africa. Several months later, he emails Rachel—who is now engaged to Tony Holden—but she declines his invitation to meet.

Readers of Inside Soap preferred Hugh over Kim as Rachel’s partner, with Hugh securing 57% of the votes.

Macca MacKenzie

Michael "Macca" MacKenzie, played by Trent Baines, made his first appearance on 7 April 2006 and departed on 23 February 2007.

The narrative surrounding Macca primarily focuses on his volatile relationship with Cassie Turner (Sharni Vinson), marked by repeated incidents of domestic violence. Baines highlighted the storyline's societal significance, stressing the necessity for victim support and recognizing the intricate nature of abusive partnerships.

Introduced as Martha MacKenzie's brother, Macca arrives in Summer Bay and quickly forms a friendship with Cassie, even assisting her with boxing practice. Despite Martha's apprehensions about his previous conduct toward women, Macca accepts a courier position and commits to maintaining a long-distance relationship with Cassie. Returning ahead of schedule, he leases an apartment above the Beachside Diner but faces challenges balancing work demands, which leads to substance abuse. Both Ric Dalby and Cassie confront him regarding his drug use; this addiction intensifies his jealousy-fueled aggression toward Cassie.

As the abuse escalates, Cassie attempts to break free from Macca. After Sally Fletcher intervenes, Macca turns himself in to authorities and seeks rehabilitation. Although barred from attending Martha's wedding, he plays a crucial role in rescuing injured guests during an explosion but sustains injuries himself. Upon hospital discharge, he joins a search party, saving Ric from a dangerous fall before leaving once everyone is accounted for.

Several months later, having completed counseling, Macca returns and resumes a secret relationship with Cassie despite her reconciliation with Ric. This affair sparks confrontation and results in Macca's eviction from the caravan park. He briefly stays with Amanda Vale but rejects her romantic interest. Offered an office job in the city, Macca plans to relocate with Cassie; however, she chooses to remain in Summer Bay amid ongoing community crises. When she refuses to leave, Macca assaults her again and subsequently surrenders to the police.

Drew Curtis

Drew Curtis, portrayed by Bobby Morley, first appeared on 7 July 2006 and exited on 21 March 2008. Prior to joining the cast, Morley featured in Angels with Dirty Faces and was cast after being noticed by talent scouts. Although older than the character he played, Morley was selected for Drew's role. He moved from Melbourne to Sydney to accommodate the demanding filming schedule. Morley departed Home and Away at the close of 2007 and later reflected on feeling like a "meat puppet" due to frequent shirtless scenes.

According to the official Home and Away website, Drew is characterized as "brooding" with a pronounced chip on his shoulder. Morley's performance earned him a nomination for "Most Popular New Male Talent" at the 2007 Logie Awards. Critics described Drew as a "teenage tearaway" and a "bad-boy heart-throb," underscoring his popularity among the show's target audience.

Brad Armstrong

Bradley "Brad" Armstrong, enacted by Chris Sadrinna, debuted on 11 July 2006 and left on 13 November 2007. Introduced as a supportive presence for Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie) following her husband Flynn Saunders' passing, Brad's storyline intertwined themes of personal loss and leadership as Principal of Summer Bay High.

Brad arrives after the death of his mother Elaine and supports his sister Rachel through their grief while arranging their mother's funeral. His relationship with girlfriend Emily Vincent culminates in a beachside wedding before her premature death from leukaemia. Brad develops a closer bond with Sally through shared experiences of loss and emotional support. As principal, he faces challenges including conflicts with students such as Rocco Cooper and staff disputes involving Naomi Preston that result in his temporary suspension.

A major plotline involves Brad's engagement to Sally, who ultimately leaves him at the altar, causing both personal distress and professional difficulties. During a storm at sea, Brad and colleagues become lost but return safely, highlighting themes of endurance. Family secrets surface when Brad and Rachel learn their father Robert has another daughter, Tamsyn, adding complexity to their family relationships. Brad takes on full responsibility for Tamsyn, which impacts his career prospects when her behavior causes him to lose a teaching position.

Ultimately, Brad decides to move to Tasmania and invites Heather McCabe along with Tamsyn to join him, marking his exit from the series.

Sadrinna received industry recognition for his role with a nomination for Best Newcomer at the 2007 Inside Soap Awards. He and Ritchie were also nominated for Best Couple. The episode featuring Brad being left at the altar won an Australian Writer's Guild award in 2008, while the storm-at-sea episode was nominated for Best Single Episode at the Digital Spy Soap Awards.

Rocco Cooper

Rocco Cooper, played by Ian Meadows, made his first appearance on 11 October 2006 and departed the series on 6 February 2007.

After transferring to Summer Bay High, Rocco faces initial resistance from principal Brad Armstrong (Chris Sadrinna) due to his past involvement with gangs. However, Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie) intervenes on his behalf, advocating for a fresh start. Demonstrating dedication through his efforts, Rocco eventually earns her trust, and upon learning about his living conditions, Sally offers him a place to stay.

Rocco's elder brother, Johnny (Callan Mulvey), exerts pressure on him to stay engaged in criminal activities, threatening fatal consequences if he withdraws. Although Rocco initially supports Johnny’s illicit plans, he later betrays him by informing the authorities about a fabricated Credit Union robbery. After Johnny’s arrest, he coerces Rocco into attacking Sally under threat of death. Overcome with remorse, Rocco stabs Sally and abandons her.

Sally survives the attack, which leads Johnny to renew his threats against Rocco. When foster son Ric Dalby (Mark Furze) confronts him, Rocco seeks refuge with Johnny at a safehouse. Ric discovers Rocco severely assaulted; despite medical intervention, Rocco falls into a coma and eventually dies. His burial is unmarked and attended only by Sally, Brad, and Johnny under guard. Ric is initially wrongfully accused of the murder but is later exonerated when Johnny’s involvement comes to light.

This stabbing narrative received a nomination for "Best Storyline" at the 2007 Inside Soap Awards.

Sam Holden

Sam Holden, portrayed by Jessica Chapnik, first appeared on 17 October 2006. Chapnik secured the role unexpectedly and exited in 2008 to pursue career opportunities in the United States. She described Sam as a layered character, "full of self-loathing" and often "misunderstood," whose tragic downfall was inevitable. Chapnik noted that Sam’s emotional complexity made it difficult to justify her decisions.

According to Eleven Magazine, Sam caused significant disruption in Summer Bay, while Scott Ellis from the Sun-Herald referred to her as a "murderous psycho," emphasizing her intense and unstable presence within the storyline.

Johnny Cooper

Johnny Cooper, enacted by Callan Mulvey, appeared from 19 October 2006 until 25 March 2008. Mulvey earned nominations for "Best Bad Boy" at the Inside Soap Awards in both 2007 and 2008 for this portrayal.

Rory Tolhurst

Rory Holden (originally Deeks, formerly Tolhurst) debuted on 20 October 2006 and exited on 14 April 2008. The role was initially played by Ed Willis before Jack Rickard assumed it in 2007.

Rory is introduced as part of his mother Sam Holden's relationship with Jack Holden (Paul O'Brien). The family resides together until Sam is abducted, prompting Rory to search for her prior to their departure from Summer Bay. They return following Sam’s injury; however, Rory is later kidnapped by his father Shane Deeks after he escapes prison. A police chase results in Shane's death, and Rory is found unharmed, viewing Jack as his paternal figure thereafter.

An academically gifted student who skips directly to Year 7, Rory faces bullying but forms a reluctant partnership with Aden Jefferies (Todd Lasance). Their involvement in election ballot tampering leads to Rory’s detention. During a school excursion, Rory and Annie Campbell (Charlotte Best) become lost but are safely recovered.

Rory eagerly supports Jack and Sam’s engagement but becomes troubled when Martha MacKenzie advises Jack against marrying Sam. His behavior deteriorates further, culminating in an incident involving Jack’s firearm that puts others at risk. Despite these conflicts, Rory gives his mother away at their wedding. The family’s stability unravels after Sam suffers an attack by Johnny Cooper; following her subsequent death, Rory directs blame toward Jack and refuses to attend Sam’s funeral.

Ed Willis received a nomination for a Digital Spy Award in 2008 for his performance as Rory.

Others

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Context
24 January–28 February	Rebecca Tate	Janneke Arent	Ex-member of The Believers cult who is abducted after alerting others to the cult’s schemes; later aids in the rescue of Tasha and Jonah before vanishing.
15 February–22 March	Brian Helpman	John Noble	Senior medical officer at Northern Districts Hospital who harasses Rachel Armstrong and escalates to blackmail; complaint filed with CEO Geoff Olivetti.
22 February–2 March	Judge Gilroy	Elizabeth Gentle	Oversees Alf Stewart’s fraud case and sentences him to a nine-month jail term.
2 March–13 April 2012	James Gibson	Richard Sydenham	Prosecutor involved in significant trials, including those concerning Alf Stewart and cases of arson and homicide.
2 March–5 July 2009	Geoff Olivetti	Barry Quin	CEO of Northern Districts Hospital responsible for handling investigations such as Rachel Armstrong’s harassment claim and malpractice allegations.
21–26 April	Robert Armstrong	John Gregg	Estranged father of Rachel and Brad Armstrong; serves as Regional Director at the hospital with a contentious history involving family legal matters.
21 April–5 November 2007	Ray Moran	Damien Garvey	Manager at Ric Dalby’s garage; engages in workplace disputes and illicit activities including organizing illegal fights.
25 April–20 June	Elaine Armstrong	Julie Hudspeth	Mother to Rachel and Brad Armstrong who suffers memory loss after a car accident; later dies following a gas explosion.
5 May–1 June	Doris McKinnon	Julie Herbert	Elderly woman whose misuse of medication leads to health decline culminating in cardiac arrest.
5 May–6 June	Charlie McKinnon	Matt Levett	Grandson of Doris; initially antagonistic but becomes entangled in complex events including a hostage situation and psychiatric hospitalization.
11 May–28 November	Lee Morton	Natasha Lee	Teenage mother impregnated by her teacher Steve Braeburn; gives birth to Joe, whom she later reclaims from Rachel Armstrong’s care.
23 May–20 June	Tracey Thompson	Sarah Enright	Detective assisting with a stalking case; later revealed as an accomplice to antagonist Eve Jacobsen before dying in an explosion.
5 June–23 March 2007	Kitty Landsdowne	Geraldine Turner	Amanda Vale’s mother involved in family secrets and financial manipulations linked to Amanda’s daughter Belle Taylor.
6 June–11 September	Evan Rice	Matthew Starling	Police officer engaged in various investigations; subsequently charged with arson and bribery following blackmail.
15 June	David Taylor	Mark Pegler	Adoptive father of Belle Taylor who demands money from Kitty Landsdowne under threat of exposing family secrets.
23 June–17 July	Colin Page	Shane Withington	Helicopter pilot who crashes while transporting key individuals to hospital, also mediates tensions during the emergency.
13–19 July	Steve Braeburn	Sam Lyndon	Science teacher involved in an inappropriate relationship with student Lee Morton, resulting in legal repercussions.
3 August–1 May 2008	Betty Allsop	May Turner	Associate of Colleen Smart participating in community activities such as aerobics and lawn bowls.
3 August–5 September	Tara O'Neill	Cashelle Dunn	Gym patron who fabricates assault allegations against Kim Hyde for attention, later admits the falsehood impacting local relations.
3–28 August	Mel Harris	Sara Zwangobani	Counselor at a camp for troubled teens aiding Matilda Hunter’s recovery from bulimia; assaulted by another camper.

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Context
3 August–27 September	Dean Silverman	Gary Brun	Troubled adolescent who develops a relationship with Matilda Hunter; falsely accused of arson and reveals his sexual orientation before departing.
	Vanessa Covacs	Emma Terracini	Attends the same retreat as Matilda Hunter; struggles with anger management and attempts suicide, leading to transfer for specialized treatment.
18–23 August	Hal Enpace	Leigh Scully	Influences Lucas Holden into acts of rebellion including vandalism causing property damage.
	Lawrence	Uncredited	Associate of Hal Enpace involved in delinquent behavior.
21 August–15 September	Emily Armstrong	Libby Richmond	Brad Armstrong's fiancée battling leukemia; they marry hastily before her peaceful death.
21 August–5 September	Gordon O'Neill	Andrew Tighe	Local police superintendent implicated in false assault accusations connected to his daughter Tara O’Neill.
21 August–10 October	Ella HunterTemplate:Anchor Ella Hunter	Multiple actors	Newborn daughter of Tasha and Robbie Hunter; central figure in custody disputes involving cult threats before relocating to Boston.
	Gareth WestwoodTemplate:Anchor Gareth Westwood	Benjamin Ronczka	Partner of Dean Silverman, their relationship emerges during the troubled teens retreat.
	Grace CarterTemplate:Anchor Grace Carter	Elaine Smith	Ex-wife of Gordon O’Neill providing testimony about daughter Tara's history of false claims.
	Dennis GillenTemplate:Anchor Dennis Gillen	Danny Adcock	Criminal antagonist seeking vengeance on detective Peter Baker, presumed dead but later revealed alive.
	Ash NaderTemplate:Anchor Ash Nader	Ben Geurens	Police colleague of Jack Holden maintaining a secret family life that causes personal conflicts.
	1 December–7 February 2007	Rianna NaderTemplate:Anchor Rianna Nader	Lotte St. Claire	Ash Nader’s wife visiting with their children, unaware of his double life.
Declan NaderTemplate:Anchor Declan Nader		Jack Concoran
Jessica NaderTemplate:Anchor Jessica Nader		Amy Baran

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Context
30 October–28 November, 19 September–3 October 2008		Joe Morton Template:Anchor Joe Morton	Multiple actors	Son of Lee Morton, abandoned by his mother, cared for by Rachel Armstrong, later diagnosed with bone cancer and passes away.
31 October–24 October 2008		Dane Smith Template:Anchor Dane Smith	Cody Kaye	Lee Morton's boyfriend who pressures her regarding their child Joe, later suspected in abuse allegations before Joe's illness is confirmed and he dies.
27 November–		Reverend Template:Anchor Reverend	Peter Flett	Local clergyman officiating significant weddings and funerals including Kim Hyde & Rachel Armstrong's marriage alongside other major community events over several years.

External links

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