Gladys Adams

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. Below is a compilation of characters introduced during 2001, all under the direction of then executive producer John Holmes. The show's fourteenth season commenced broadcasting on 15 January 2001. The initial new character to appear was Alex Poulos in February. On 9 April, Sam Atwell joined the cast as Kane Phillips, soon followed by his brother Scott. June brought the introductions of Seb Miller and Flynn Saunders. In September, Doctor Charlotte Adams, portrayed by Stephanie Chaves-Jacobsen, made her debut alongside Jim Tyler. November saw Daniel Collopy take on the role of Josh West, as well as two significant births: VJ Patterson and Lily Smith.

Alex Poulos

Alexi "Alex" Poulos, played by Danny Raco, first appeared on-screen on 26 February 2001 and remained until 2004. Raco briefly returned in 2007, with his final appearance airing on 19 June 2007. He joined the series early in 2001, with his scenes debuting in late February. Choosing to leave the show in late 2003 to focus on directing, his concluding scenes were broadcast in early 2004. For his portrayal of Alex, Raco received a nomination for Most Popular New Male Talent at the 2002 Logie Awards.

Scott Phillips

Scott Phillips was initially portrayed by Nathaniel Dean and later by Josh Rosenthal. He made his first appearance on 10 April 2001 and last appeared on 23 February 2005. Scott is the elder sibling of Kane Phillips (Sam Atwell).

Scott’s narrative arc includes involvement in criminal acts such as demanding compensation after damaging Nick Smith’s motorcycle, assaulting Jude Lawson over a conflict related to Kane, and abducting Shauna Bradley—a situation that culminated in a police standoff and his subsequent incarceration. Upon his release two years later, it emerges that Scott and Kane participated together in a service station robbery and hostage-taking involving Tasha Andrews. Scott’s efforts to recover money lead to further violent incidents, including holding Flynn Saunders at gunpoint before fleeing the area.

In 2005, Scott reappears while imprisoned during Kane’s trial for the robbery. Initially withholding information, he agrees to cooperate only if Kane’s attorney assists with his appeal. Nevertheless, Scott ultimately sabotages Kane’s defense by providing false testimony under oath.

Flynn Saunders

Flynn Saunders made his debut on 13 July 2001, initially portrayed by Martin Dingle-Wall before being succeeded by Joel McIlroy. He remained a pivotal figure in the series until his character's death on 13 February 2006. The episode showcasing Flynn’s demise earned writer Sam Miekle the Australian Writers' Guild Award for "Best Episode in a Television Serial" in 2006.

Both actors received commendations within the industry: Dingle-Wall was nominated for "Most Popular New Male Talent" in 2002, while McIlroy garnered nominations for "Most Popular Actor" at the 2006 Logie Awards. In a December 2006 TV Week reader poll, Flynn’s death plot was ranked as the second most compelling storyline. Additionally, McIlroy received three nominations at the 2006 Inside Soap Awards for "Best Actor," "Best Couple," and "Best Storyline," all connected to Flynn’s death narrative.

Charlotte Adams

Charlotte Adams, played by Stephanie Chaves-Jacobsen, entered the series on 10 September 2001. Characterized as "attractive, intelligent, generous, and sincere," Charlotte pursued medical studies with aspirations of becoming a doctor but faced academic difficulties. The character was written out of the show in 2002.

Jim Tyler

Jim Tyler, portrayed by Shane Porteous, first appeared on 25 September 2001. Porteous, who also contributed as a scriptwriter for Home and Away, accepted the role after it remained uncast and felt at ease on set due to his familiarity with the studio environment and crew.

Jim is introduced as a nomadic figure with a shadowy background, quickly attracting attention in Summer Bay. Brodie Hanson (Susie Rugg) and Dani Sutherland (Tammin Sursok) discover him sleeping on the beach. After Jim rescues Brodie from a dog attack, Dani’s father, Rhys Sutherland (Michael Beckley), offers him lodging in exchange for performing various odd jobs.

Though recognized as a qualified professor by principal Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn), Jim’s outdated teaching style creates tension with students and leads to a nervous breakdown, resulting in his transfer to a metropolitan hospital. It is later disclosed that Jim accidentally hit his young son Dean with a vehicle fifteen years prior.

Josh West

Josh West, enacted by Daniel Collopy, first appeared towards the end of 2001 and departed in 2003, returning briefly in late 2005. His storyline involved efforts to construct a freeway through Summer Bay and ascending to mayor before his accidental death early in 2006.

Collopy secured the part in September 2001, relocating from Melbourne to Sydney for filming commitments. This role marked his first consistent television engagement, which he described as an excellent opportunity. Network Seven characterized Josh as coming from an affluent family background and initially exhibiting a relaxed demeanor.

The character was written out via a high-profile murder mystery storyline intended to replicate previous successful plots that boosted viewership ratings. Collopy received a Logie nomination in 2003 for "Most Popular New Male Talent" and was nominated for "Best Bad Boy" at the 2006 Inside Soap Awards. Media outlets noted that Josh’s on-screen romantic relationships helped propel Collopy into prominent television stardom and magazine cover features.

VJ Patterson

Vincent "VJ" Patterson, Jr. made his debut on 30 November 2001, portrayed initially by a series of eleven young actors, among them Carlo Teodorowych, Jack Monger, Max Theoharis, and Cooper Scott. Felix Dean took on the role in 2007 and earned nominations for Best Young Actor at the 2008 and 2009 Inside Soap Awards. The character's name has attracted some lighthearted criticism, with comparisons likening it to an early model Holden.

Lily Smith

Lily Smith (formerly Nash) first appeared on 30 November 2001, originally played by Harriet Tapley and Simone Medici. In 2003, twins Claudia and Olivia Jenkins briefly portrayed her, before Charlie Rose MacLennan assumed the role when the character returned in 2010. MacLennan started appearing from 14 October and described feeling starstruck upon joining the set.

Lily is the child of Gypsy Nash (Kimberley Cooper) and Will Smith (Zac Drayson), born unexpectedly during a roadside emergency. Will and Gypsy later marry and move to Queensland. Lily gains an adoptive sister named Rachel McGregor.

She returns alongside Will to visit Irene Roberts amidst Will's unsuccessful attempt to reconcile with Gypsy following his affair. Lily develops a friendship with VJ Patterson; together they try to run away but are located by police officers and brought back home. When Lily falls ill, Irene cares for her during Will’s arrest for the murder of Penn Graham.

Several months later, Lily and Gypsy visit Irene while she battles cancer. Gypsy’s boyfriend Mark Gilmour comes into conflict with Lily and suggests boarding school as a solution, which Gypsy opposes. Their relationship ends after Lily exposes Gypsy’s affair with Liam Murphy, leading to their return to Queensland.

Others

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Context
15 January	Reverend Wardorski	Dean Nottie	Reverend Wardorski officiates at the funeral service for Ailsa Stewart (Judy Nunn).
25 January–17 July 2002	Stella Patterson	Tina Bursill	Stella, mother of Vinnie Patterson (Ryan Kwanten), arrives ahead of Vinnie's wedding to Leah Poulos (Ada Nicodemou). She initially mistakes Leah for a cleaner and clashes with Leah’s father, Theo (Silvio Ofria), creating tension before the wedding. Despite her interference, the couple marries; Stella attends the ceremony, shares a kiss with Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher), and frequently babysits her grandson VJ.
1–7 February	Desiree Upton	Simone Robertson	Desiree, a TAFE acquaintance of Gypsy Nash (Kimberley Cooper), kisses Gypsy as part of a scheme intended to unsettle Shelley Sutherland (Paula Forrest).
1–21 February	Hamish "Woody" Woodford	Chris Foy	Woody enrolls at Summer Bay High following expulsion elsewhere. Misreading social cues, he holds his class hostage using a fake firearm until police intervene and take him into custody.
12–21 February	Ian Woodford	Wayne Pygram	Ian, Woody’s father, refuses to acknowledge his son’s need for psychiatric care and rejects intervention attempts during the hostage situation.
15–16 February	Morrie Sanders	Peter Brownie	Morrie, uncle to Mitch McColl (Cameron Welsh), informs Mitch about an inheritance in New Zealand prompting Mitch’s permanent move there.
26 February–8 March	Holly Loader	Clare Flanaghan	Holly, former girlfriend of Jude Lawson (Ben Steel), disrupts his life by accusing his brother Noah of inappropriate behavior and causes disturbances at Leah’s wedding reception.
6 March–26 February 2009	Helen Poulos	Peta Toppano, Anna-Maria Monticelli	Helen is Leah Poulos’ (Ada Nicodemou) mother alongside her brothers; she arrives with husband Theo prior to Leah’s wedding.
6–7 March	Christina Poulos	Barbara Gouskos	Christina comes with her father Con and son Petro for Leah’s wedding.
	Petro Poulos	Erieta Tseztsimis, Andriano Cassinati
6–8 March	Con Poulos	Nicholas Papademetriou	Con visits Summer Bay for Leah’s wedding; family business disputes emerge during the reception.
7 March	Effie	Melina Clark	Effie is Christina Poulos’ sister.
12 March–12 April	Geoff Webb	John Sheerin	Geoff, father of Shelley Sutherland (Paula Forrest), arrives accompanied by girlfriend Linda. Following family tensions and a storm event, Geoff reconciles with estranged wife Avril before departing.
12–23 March	Linda	Cathy Campbell	Linda travels with Geoff Webb but leaves after feeling unwelcome and ends their relationship due to conflicting future goals.
14 March–3 April	Toni Davidson	Rowan Witt	Toni runs away from home escaping abuse inflicted by her father John; after intervention by family and community members, John is arrested.
14 March–2 April	Leo Davidson	Bill Charlton	Leo is Toni's grandfather who shields her from her abusive father; they reconcile before he returns home.
14 March–10 April	Andrew Moffatt	Anthony Burke	Andrew serves as Gypsy Nash's TAFE lecturer who threatens legal action concerning paternity disputes.
29 March–20 April	Melissa Hill	Bianca Sulkowicz	Melissa is a ballet class peer of Jade Sutherland.
29 March	Tonya	Sharni Vinson	'Tonya' attends the same ballet class as Jade and Melissa; she bullies Jade for being out of practice.

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Context

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Context

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Context

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Context } External links Cast and characters on the Official Australian Home and Away site Cast and characters on the Official UK Home and Away platform Cast and characters at the Internet Movie Database