Greg West (Home and Away)

Home and Away

Company type	Television series
Industry	Television soap opera
Founded	January 17, 1988 (1988-01-17)
Headquarters	Australia
Area served	Australia

Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that premiered on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. The characters introduced during 2002, all under the direction of Series Producer Julie McGuaran, are detailed below. The show's fifteenth season began broadcasting on 14 January 2002. Sebastian Elmaloglou made his first appearance as Max Sutherland in January. Rhett Giles joined the cast portraying Paris Burnett in April, followed by Laurie Foell as Deputy Principal Angie Russell in September, and her son Dylan (Brett Hicks-Maitland) arriving in October.

Max Sutherland

Max Sutherland, played by Sebastian Elmaloglou, debuted on-screen on 21 January 2002 and remained until 1 September 2004. Prior to this role, Elmaloglou had guest-starred in series such as GP, making Max his first regular television role. He characterized Max as mischievous, a stark contrast to his own personality. Around the time of his introduction, Elmaloglou reviewed past episodes of Home and Away featuring his sister, Rebekah Elmaloglou, who portrayed Sophie Simpson.

Max arrives in Summer Bay accompanied by his father, Pete (Christopher Mayer), to live with his uncle Rhys Sutherland (Michael Beckley) and aunt Shelley Sutherland (Paula Forrest). When Pete escapes to Hong Kong due to gambling debts, Max's stay becomes indefinite. He faces challenges adapting but forms a friendship with caravan resident Colleen Smart (Lyn Collingwood) and frequently finds himself in trouble at school alongside his cousin Kirsty Sutherland (Christie Hayes). Max assists Colleen in authoring a book under the pseudonym "Maxine Peterson" and becomes involved in a short-lived romantic triangle with Tamara Simpson (Sophie Luck) and Caitlin (Bree Beadman).

Max develops a friendship with the confused Tasha Andrews (Isabel Lucas) and becomes emotionally connected to new student Eloise Lennox (Suzanne McEachern), who discloses she is battling leukemia. Max supports Eloise during her final days; after spending time together on a date, she passes away in his arms. He honors her memory by creating a tribute in an abandoned mineshaft, which subsequently collapses but everyone is rescued safely.

Following Rhys's remarriage to Beth Hunter (Clarissa House) after divorcing Shelley, Max contends with Beth’s twins, Henry (Tobi Atkins) and Matilda (Indiana Evans). Initially at odds with Henry, their relationship eventually turns friendly. Max briefly shows romantic interest in Matilda but is rejected. After family conflicts and Rhys reconciling with Shelley, Max feels alienated and decides to leave Summer Bay for boarding school despite offers from relatives to care for him.

Elmaloglou received a nomination for "Best Young Actor" at the 2004 Inside Soap Awards. Channel 5 recognized the 2003 season finale featuring the mineshaft incident as one of the series’ standout episodes. In 2017, Digital Spy commended Max’s story arcs for their complexity relative to typical child roles in soaps. Nonetheless, some critics observed that the storyline involving Max and Eloise’s terminal illness mirrored earlier plots.

Paris Burnett

Paris Burnett, enacted by Rhett Giles, made his first appearance on 29 April 2002 and departed on 10 September 2003. Giles had previously acted in All Saints, filmed nearby at the Seven Network studios, where he returned following his stint on Home and Away.

Paris arrives as the new principal of Summer Bay High School, succeeding Donald Fisher who was suspended amid departmental plans aimed at closing the school. He quickly establishes a rapport with Irene Roberts; although both initially resist acknowledging their mutual attraction. Their connection strengthens during a flat-painting party hosted by Noah Lawson and Hayley Smith, where they bond over shared experiences of loss.

Leveraging damaging evidence about the department's mismanagement obtained from Brett Egan, Paris aids in preventing the school's closure. His relationship with Irene deepens but he hesitates to pursue it further before Donald’s reinstatement. Irene opts not to advance their relationship while Paris prepares to leave town. However, after being stranded together during Summer Bay’s 150th anniversary dinner event, they share a kiss and begin dating. Irene’s foster son Nick Smith disapproves of Paris due to his youth. Later offered a position in Orange, Paris returns briefly for a heartfelt farewell with Irene.

Months later Paris comes back to replace the retired Donald Fisher as principal, sparking tension with Angie Russell who had anticipated promotion. Despite initial reluctance, Irene rekindles her relationship with Paris who moves into the Beach House. Nick’s challenging behavior causes Paris to temporarily move out. They reconcile after Irene is diagnosed with depression. The relationship ends when Paris learns that his brother and sister-in-law were killed in a car accident; he must assume responsibility for their orphaned niece and nephew in the city. He invites Irene to join him but she declines, resulting in a poignant farewell and final kiss before his exit.

Angie Russell

Angela "Angie" Russell, brought to life by Laurie Foell, made her first appearance on 26 September 2002 and exited on 21 March 2003, with a subsequent spectral cameo on 24 May 2004. The narrative arc unveiling the identity of Angie's murderer drew Australian audiences to a peak of 1.5 million viewers, outperforming the Nine Network's Big Brother Australia 2003. A critic from What's on TV placed Angie among "The 50 most evil soap villains ever," highlighting Foell's powerful performance. The Sunday Mercury labeled Angie as a "crackpot" and commended the show's succinct approach to revealing the killer.

Dylan Russell

Dylan Russell, portrayed by Brett Hicks-Maitland from Adelaide, first appeared on 8 October 2002 and departed in 2003, with returns in 2004. A graduate of NIDA, Hicks-Maitland moved to Sydney to pursue acting and was offered an extended role due to his strong portrayal. He remained closely associated with the character Dylan even years later.

Dylan is depicted as a thoughtful and empathetic 17-year-old, marked by his intelligence and social aloofness. He arrives in Summer Bay after his mother Angie assumes the role of Deputy Principal. Dylan starts a romantic relationship with Kirsty Sutherland, which Angie opposes after revealing that Rhys Sutherland is Dylan’s father. This revelation ends their romance, though Dylan gradually builds bonds with his newfound family.

As Angie’s mental state deteriorates, Dylan experiences an accident necessitating a blood transfusion; tests confirm he is not Rhys’s biological son. Feeling betrayed by Angie’s deceit but embraced by the Sutherlands, Dylan tries unsuccessfully to renew his relationship with Kirsty.

During an attempt to get help for Angie’s psychological issues, Dylan accidentally causes her death. Initially suspected himself, Rhys faces charges before Dylan admits guilt. After being acquitted at trial, Dylan relocates to the city with his grandmother Monica Markham. He reconnects with half-sister Tasha Andrews and locates Josie Russell, Angie's lookalike cousin, in the city.

The episode featuring Dylan’s confession, penned by Fiona Kelly, earned a nomination for an Australian Writer's Guild Award in 2004.

Others

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Role Details
21 January – 13 March	Pete Sutherland	Christopher Mayer	Rhys Sutherland’s brother and Max’s father. Visits family revealing gambling problems; flees town with Max; later leaves Max with Rhys and Shelley when creditors pursue him.
22–24 January	Brian Alcott	Richard Healy	Miles Alcott's father attending coroner's inquest; visits Brodie Hanson and reconciles with Alex Poulos following accident verdict.
23 January	Mrs. Alcott	Uncredited	Mother of Miles Alcott present at his inquest.
5–13 February	Justin Bell	Mitchell Eirth	Troubled teen causing issues at surf club; homeless and accused of theft; expelled by mother Maggie Bell for violence; alleges assault against Flynn Saunders; Maggie attempts unsuccessful blackmail.
5 February – 1 April	Patricia Morgan	Gennie Nevinson	Principal of Reefton Lakes High who clashes with Summer Bay High principal Donald Fisher over school closures; submits proposal favoring her school; her son Ethan supports Summer Bay's campaign.
6 February – 8 March	Maggie Bell	Helen O'Connor	Mother to Justin Bell and Susie; expels Justin due to violent behavior; tries unsuccessfully to blackmail Flynn Saunders after assault allegations.
11 February – 12 April	Grace O'Connor	Mary Docker	Nurse at Northern Districts Hospital caring for Justin Bell and Nick Smith after bus crash; briefly dates Nathan Roberts before moving away.
18–20 February	Mr Atkins	David Webb	Lawyer defending Vinnie Patterson in fraud case; ultimately unsuccessful.
19 February	Greg West	Dane Carson	Josh West’s father who encourages university attendance; falls ill entrusting Josh with business affairs.
20 February	Governor Williamson	Alistair Duncan	Judge overseeing Vinnie Patterson's fraud trial; sentences him to two years imprisonment.
21 February – 8 April	Ethan Morgan	Ben Connolly	Leader of Student Committee at Reefton Lakes High; spearheads campaign against school closures; arrested during protest but released.
25 February	Jenny Latham	Fiona Hepburn	Parole officer aiding Nathan Roberts in securing employment.
26 February–14 August 2012	Julie Cooper	Lisa Hayson-Phillips	Nurse at Northern Districts Hospital; befriends Flynn Saunders; briefly dates Tony Holden; falsely accused of murder but exonerated; participates in nurses’ strike.
27 February – 21 March	Christopher "Kick" Johnson	Jason Clarke	Exchange teacher from Reefton Lakes High whose informal approach conflicts with Donald Fisher; departs after bus crash affecting students.
7 March – 6 September	Kelli Edwards	Alyssa-Jane Cook	Local baker supplying Beachside Diner who buys Alex Poulos’ van; relationship hindered by harassment from ex-husband Jason Edwards; leaves upon realizing Alex loves Brodie Hanson.
12 March – 17 April	Jemma MacKinnon	Thea Gumbert	Hairdresser and friend of Kirsty Sutherland who provides fake ID leading to hospitalization incident; briefly homeless before returning home.
15 March – 13 September	Marie Peters	Cate Murray	Mother of Julius Peters.
28 March – 26 August	Riley Edwards	Issac Gorman	Son of Kelli Edwards.
	Brayden Edwards	Jamie Broadbent
5–30 April 2003	Jackie Turner	Julieanne Newbould	Journalist and Josh West’s mother reporting on school events and aiding family reunions before leaving town.
17 April	Ray MacKinnon	Christopher Burke	Gemma MacKinnon’s parent convinced by Shelley Sutherland to allow her return home.
	Carmel MacKinnon	Meredith O'Reilly
19 April – 16 July	Aimee Cooper	Rhianna Griffith	Appears at drop-in centre and orienteering event; works at diner organizing fundraiser; exhibits erratic behavior linked to troubled history before departure.
23 April – 8 May	Ryan Anderson	Damien Fowler	Bullied child connected to Donald Fisher.
23 May	Captain Ellis	Christopher Galletti	Captain of the Mirgini during Summer Bay’s 150th anniversary cruise.
27 June–4 May 2004	Caitlin	Bree Beadman	Classmate showing interest in Max Sutherland.
18 July – 5 September	Mav Patterson	Clayton Williams	Vinnie Patterson’s cousin attending son’s christening; falsely accused of theft; brief romance with Brodie Hanson before departing alone for Vietnam after tragedy.
1–27 August	Jason Edwards	Benj Daddario	Kelli Edwards’ ex-husband who harasses and assaults her and Alex Poulos; hospitalized after Jesse McGregor attacks him; later reported for theft.
27 August – 6 September	Bernadette	Celia Ireland	Manager of Yabbie Creek RSL club who awards Colleen Smart a jackpot win.
17 October–3 July 2003	Mikey Dunn	Trent Atkinson	Autistic student befriending Seb Miller and teacher Sally Fletcher; faces social challenges; leaves then returns for Sally's wedding and briefly works for Scott Hunter before departing again.
17 October–3 July 2003	Mrs Dunn	Susan Kennedy	Mikey Dunn’s mother.
17 October	Kelvin Matthews	James Donnellan	Surf club gym patron who makes unwanted advances towards Hayley Smith, leading to assault charges against Jesse McGregor.
17–25 October	Tara	Rebecca Murphy	Old friend of Sally Fletcher asked to be surrogate mother but reveals tragic history and leaves after reconnecting with family.
6–12 November	Grigg	Amos Szeps	Former cellmate blackmailing Jesse McGregor, takes hostages including Nick Smith and Irene Roberts, escapes confrontation but later found dead in Donald Fisher’s car.