Ebony Harding
| Company type | Television soap opera |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | January 17, 1988 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Home and Away is a long-running Australian soap opera that first aired on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. This compilation highlights characters introduced during 2018, arranged by their initial appearances. All new additions were brought in under the guidance of executive producer Lucy Addario. The show’s 31st season premiered on 29 January 2018.[1] Notable character introductions include Dean Thompson and Colby Thorne in February; Lance Salisbury alongside Ebony Harding in April; Ty Anderson arriving in May; Chelsea Campbell joining in September; Dean’s mother, Karen Thompson, appearing in October; and both Simone Bedford and Bella Nixon making their debut in November.
Dean Thompson
Dean Thompson, played by Patrick O'Connor, made his first appearance on 1 February 2018.[2] O'Connor began filming the role five months prior to the public casting announcement and had previously auditioned for other parts on Home and Away. This role marked his acting debut.[2] He characterized Dean as a "cheeky" member of the River Boys, a surf gang introduced in 2011 alongside the Braxton brothers, emphasizing Dean’s distinctive tattoos and passion for AFL. The Daily Telegraph labeled him as "Summer Bay’s new bad boy."[2]
Colby Thorne
Colby Thorne, portrayed by Tim Franklin, was introduced on 6 February 2018. Franklin’s involvement was confirmed in December 2017 after he was spotted filming at Palm Beach, the series’ primary location. He discovered he had secured the role on his 27th birthday, describing it as an ideal present. Colby works as a police constable whose challenging childhood influenced his career path. Franklin mentioned that he draws from his own life experiences to bring realism to the character. Colby is a former member of the River Boys surf gang and serves as a romantic interest for Jasmine Delaney.
Lance Salisbury
Lance Salisbury, enacted by Angus McLaren, debuted on 17 April 2018. His casting announcement came shortly before his first episode aired. McLaren expressed enthusiasm about joining the cast and reuniting with former co-star James Stewart, who portrays Justin Morgan. Lance is an Australian Federal Police (AFP) federal agent and close friend to Robbo. He plays a key role in helping Robbo recover memories lost due to amnesia and supports his pursuit of justice. The character made a return appearance in 2019.
Lance aids Robbo in piecing together his true identity as Ryan Shaw, an undercover federal agent investigating corruption following the murder of his family. Robbo had been embedded in Summer Bay to protect Kat Chapman. Initially, the AFP was uncertain about Robbo’s amnesia and chose not to intervene directly. Lance eventually clears Robbo of all charges and restores his official identification, encouraging him to consider rejoining the AFP. When Robbo hesitates, Lance proposes alternative positions but ultimately collaborates with him to probe smuggling activities.
Returning for Robbo’s pre-wedding celebration, Lance meets Jasmine Delaney and observes her discomfort. On the wedding day, he informs Robbo that his parents are unable to attend due to car trouble. Subsequently, Lance leads AFP officers in placing Robbo, Jasmine, and Tori Morgan into protective custody at a safe location after threats linked to those responsible for Robbo’s family murders resurface. He officially reinstates Robbo into the AFP and remains with Tori before resuming field operations, assuring her of Scott Larkin’s reliability.
Ultimately, Lance is killed by the Ouroboros Gang as a warning aimed at deterring Robbo from providing testimony.
Ebony Harding
Ebony Harding (also known as Easton), played by Cariba Heine, made her first appearance on 19 April 2018. Her casting was unveiled in a promotional trailer aired prior to the 2018 Commonwealth Games break. Heine secured the part after submitting an audition tape from abroad. Ebony was introduced as an antagonist driven by vengeance against the residents of Summer Bay, connected to the abduction of Justin Morgan's daughter Ava Gilbert. She also has ties to the criminal figure Boyd Easton (Steve Le Marquand). Heine characterized Ebony as "quite despicable," with intentions to elicit strong reactions from the audience.
Assuming the identity of a doctor at Northern Districts Hospital, Ebony arrives upon learning of her brother Boyd's death. Alongside her mother, Hazel Easton (Genevieve Lemon), she vows retribution against those she holds responsible. In Summer Bay, Ebony targets Colby Thorne (Tim Franklin), the police officer who fatally shot Boyd, seeking to manipulate him by sabotaging his vehicle and personal relationships. She also threatens Justin Morgan’s enterprise, initially demanding $100,000 over a fabricated injury but ultimately accepting $30,000 plus employment at his brother’s restaurant.
Ebony discovers Colby's history as a former River Boys gang member and leaks this information to the media, resulting in his suspension. She interferes with Colby’s social connections by flirting with his housemate Robbo (Jake Ryan) and entertaining his romantic interest. Hazel supplies Ebony with poison intended to eliminate both Robbo and Colby; however, Ebony hesitates and spares Robbo’s life.
Her campaign of disruption continues as she plants false evidence implicating Willow Harris and sows discord between Colby and others. As Robbo grows wary and investigates her motives, Ebony escalates her actions by stealing medication from the hospital and incapacitating Colby using a muscle relaxant. She orchestrates a fake emergency call that leads to Robbo being found at Hazel's lifeless body, framing him for murder. Believing she has killed Colby, Ebony flees.
Following Colby's recovery, Ebony contacts him online under a fabricated persona, luring him to a remote site where she traps him and attempts arson. Robbo intervenes in time to prevent disaster until law enforcement arrives to arrest Ebony.
Ty Anderson
'Ty Anderson, portrayed by Darius Williams, first appeared on 7 May 2018. Williams was signed on for a six-month contract starting filming in October 2017. Ty stands out as Home and Aways first openly gay character since 2009, reflecting the show’s commitment to addressing relevant social issues. Fostered by John Palmer and Marilyn Chambers, Ty develops significant relationships with Raffy Morrison and Ryder Jackson during his tenure in Summer Bay. After exiting on 15 August 2018, Williams expressed interest in reprising the role for further storylines.
Ty arrives in Summer Bay following his grandfather’s illness and is placed with John and Marilyn. Initially aloof and resistant, he clashes with Raffy Morrison over his demeanor but gradually forms a bond with her. Ty defends Raffy at school, leading to their romantic involvement; however, complications arise when Ty reveals his feelings for Ryder Jackson. After unsuccessfully attempting to suppress his sexuality, Ty comes out to John and Marilyn as gay, causing tension with Raffy who feels betrayed.
In an effort to mend their relationship, Ty apologizes before Raffy relocates. He publicly comes out while defending Raffy against bullying at school but experiences a panic attack that causes reluctance to return. With support from friends Coco, Raffy, and Ryder, Ty regains confidence by performing music publicly at school, gaining peer acceptance.
On his sixteenth birthday, family issues surface when his mother Jodi Anderson arrives after being kept away by his grandparents. After disclosing his sexuality to her, Ty chooses to leave Summer Bay with Jodi, concluding his storyline.
Chelsea Campbell
Chelsea Campbell, portrayed by Ashleigh Brewer, debuted on 18 September 2018. Brewer was cast while residing in Los Angeles and initially signed for six months but declined an extension to relocate there with her partner. Chelsea is introduced as a senior constable linked to established characters; described as "extremely kind with a strong sense of responsibility," yet capable of stirring conflict. A TV Soap journalist labeled her a "feisty cop" and commended Brewer’s casting as an asset for Home and Away.
Upon arrival in Summer Bay, Chelsea rebuffs romantic advances from Dean Thompson. At the police station she encounters ex-boyfriend Colby Thorne; their history creates friction as they collaborate professionally. Chelsea arrests Dean for trespassing and confronts Colby regarding their breakup related to his River Boys affiliation. Despite residual feelings leading to brief reconciliation, Sergeant Phillip McCarthy enforces workplace boundaries.
Chelsea partners with Colby on cases including locating missing teenagers Raffy Morrison, Ryder Jackson, and Coco Astoni. Their relationship rekindles but remains complicated by Colby’s criminal background. After returning her engagement ring, Chelsea requests a formal proposal; they plan marriage despite family disapproval. Chelsea's father Neil Campbell disapproves of Colby and attempts leverage involving missing sister Bella Nixon’s whereabouts; Colby refuses cooperation.
Further challenges arise when Colby's stepfather Ross Nixon is revealed as a murderer. Chelsea ends their engagement and applies for transfer but later reconciles following Bella's intervention. The couple marries in Mangrove River before relocating to the city due to Chelsea’s acceptance into a detective training program.
Chelsea is later kidnapped alongside Willow and Bella by Ross Nixon; during the ensuing confrontation Ross is fatally shot by Colby. Struggling with trauma afterward, Chelsea moves out of their shared residence and eventually ends their marriage by filing divorce papers the following year.
Karen Thompson
Karen Thompson, played by Georgia Adamson, first appeared on 4 October 2018 as Dean Thompson’s mother introduced to deepen his backstory. Karen has a troubled past involving violence alongside substance abuse issues; her presence destabilizes Dean’s life further. After Dean attempts phone contact, Karen abruptly ends the call triggering destructive behavior from Dean. Critics described Karen as "unruly" and "irresponsible." Adamson reprised this role intermittently through 2019, 2022, 2023, and again in 2025 alongside Dean and Ziggy Astoni.
Dean reaches out regarding an impending court date but Karen ignores him. Upon visiting Summer Bay, her erratic conduct intensifies—helping herself to wine, confronting locals aggressively—and she later crashes her car. Despite Dean’s support efforts, Karen refuses psychiatric assistance and departs after clashing with Colby Thorne.
On returning again, Karen’s instability worsens; she assaults Dean and neglects home safety before hospitalization. Diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, she apologizes to Dean while offering limited insights about Colby's family history. Temporarily discharged for a visit with Dean, Karen learns about Colby's involvement in Ross Nixon's death urging Dean toward trauma counseling.
Back in Summer Bay awaiting Dean’s arrival, Karen befriends Ben Astoni revealing her pregnancy resulted from a one-night stand with Rick Booth who rejected her due to expecting another child with his wife. Discovering Dean's relationship with Ziggy Astoni along with family secrets causes friction. Karen attempts departure but forms a bond with Mackenzie Booth—Rick's daughter—who assists her in confronting past betrayals.
Karen gains employment waitressing at Salt but struggles adapting to order-taking systems while experiencing medication side effects during an incident at work. Following reconciliation with Dean she accepts a job offer in nearby Reefton Lakes.
Simone Bedford
Simone Bedford, portrayed by Emily Eskell, made her debut on 15 November 2018. Eskell graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art before securing this major television role after several auditions for Home and Away. Simone was introduced as a potential romantic interest for Brody Morgan (Jackson Heywood), aligning with her passion for cooking alongside aspirations as both trainee chef and special-needs educator.
Winning a charity auction for cooking lessons with Brody leads Simone into a one-month trial at Salt restaurant where their professional relationship quickly evolves into an affair that ultimately ends Brody's marriage to Ziggy Astoni (Sophie Dillman). Simone expands her role by taking up a learning support teacher position at the local high school integrating further into Summer Bay despite tensions arising from Ziggy and others.
The affair generates significant conflict involving both Astoni and Morgan families; after public exposure including graffiti branding Simone as "homewrecker," she resigns from teaching duties. Simone and Brody decide jointly to leave Summer Bay selling Salt restaurant before relocating to Yarra Valley where two years later they announce expecting their first child.
Simone’s narrative explores themes such as career transformation, complex interpersonal dynamics, and managing professional challenges within competitive hospitality settings emphasizing restaurant management alongside educational roles.
Bella Nixon
Bella Nixon, portrayed by Courtney Miller, arrived on screen on 26 November 2018 following casting confirmation in September. Introduced as the long-lost younger sister of Colby Thorne (Tim Franklin), Bella had been sought after by Colby along with their father Ross Nixon (Justin Rosniak) for several years prior to reunion. Initially traumatized due to manipulation from their father Ross Nixon Bella views Colby antagonistically at first; Miller described Bella as deeply troubled shaped by difficult upbringing. Miller earned nomination for the Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent in 2019 for this role.
Others
| Date(s) | Character | Actor | Role description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 January | Nurse | Kate Boladian | Notifies Tori Morgan concerning inquiries about Kat Chapman, admitted following road accident. |
| 30 January | Odette | Romy Poulier | Pays Willow Harris for exposing husband’s infidelity; requests similar assistance for friend. |
| 1 February 2018 27 February 2020 |
Nurse Ruby | Christina Falsone | Nurse at Northern Districts Hospital involved in incidents concerning Jasmine Delaney and Colby Thorne. Initially credited simply as Nurse. |
| 1 February | Devera | Mia Karaz | Mother of Kat Chapman attending funeral. |
| Paulo | Christian Leiva Fuentes | Brother of Kat Chapman attending funeral. | |
| 1 February | Minister | Richard Saunders | Officiates funeral service of Kat Chapman. |
| 1–22 February | Taz | Jerome Meyer | River Boys member assisting Martin Ashford search for Robbo. Engages in confrontations leading to arrest. |
| 1–19 February | Bluey | Alex Jewson | Member of River Boys aiding search efforts for Robbo, involved in altercations requiring police intervention. |
| 1 February | Jimmy Tobias | Kyle Hazebroek | Provides information regarding Robbo’s location; nearly clashes with Martin Ashford. |
| 8 February | Bushwalker | Adam Hedditch | Spots fugitive Robbo, alerts authorities. |
| 8 February | Ambulance Officer Karen | Jerusha Sutton | Assists emergency treatment of Justin Morgan; later aids rescue of Alf Stewart. |
| 12 February | Lauren | Lianne Mackessy | Connected to amnesiac Robbo’s backstory involving deceased family members killed during home invasion. |
(Note: For brevity only principal characters relevant to business contexts are included; minor roles omitted.)
References
External links
- Characters & Cast at Official AU Home and Away website
- Characters & Cast at the Internet Movie Database