Hamish "Woody" Woodford
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television soap opera |
| Founded | January 17, 1988 |
| Founder | Seven Network |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Website | 7plus |
Home and Away is a long-running Australian soap opera that premiered on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. This compilation highlights the characters introduced during 2001, all under the supervision of executive producer John Holmes. The show's 14th season commenced on 15 January 2001. The first new character that year was Alex Poulos, who appeared in February. Subsequently, Sam Atwell joined the cast as Kane Phillips on 9 April, followed by the arrival of Kane’s brother, Scott. June introduced both Seb Miller and Flynn Saunders. In September, Stephanie Chaves-Jacobsen took on the role of doctor Charlotte Adams, with Jim Tyler making his debut later that same month. November saw Daniel Collopy cast as Josh West, alongside the births of two characters: VJ Patterson and Lily Smith.
Alex Poulos
Alexi "Alex" Poulos, portrayed by Danny Raco, first appeared on 26 February 2001 and remained until 2004. Raco briefly reprised the role in 2007, with his final episode airing on 19 June that year. He originally joined the series early in 2001 and exited in late 2003 to focus on directing; his concluding scenes were broadcast in early 2004. For his portrayal, Raco earned a nomination for Most Popular New Male Talent at the 2002 Logie Awards.
Scott Phillips
Scott Phillips, initially played by Nathaniel Dean in 2001 and later by Josh Rosenthal during 2003 and 2005, made his debut on 10 April 2001 and last appeared on 23 February 2005. As the elder sibling of Kane Phillips (Sam Atwell), Scott's narrative involved criminal behavior such as harassment, kidnapping, and robbing a service station—events that directly affected characters like Nick Smith and Tasha Andrews (Isabel Lucas). After serving time in prison, Scott returns to Summer Bay, intensifying tensions by threatening hostages and confronting locals. His storyline culminates with him testifying against Kane at trial, significantly weakening Kane’s defense.
Flynn Saunders
Flynn Saunders, originally portrayed by Martin Dingle-Wall from 13 July 2001 until 2002, was recast with Joel McIlroy in 2003. The character’s storyline concluded with his death on 13 February 2006. The episode featuring Flynn’s demise received the Australian Writers' Guild Award for "Best Episode in a Television Serial" in 2006. Both actors were nominated for their performances at various Logie Award ceremonies. Flynn’s death was voted the second most compelling plotline in a December 2006 TV Week reader poll. Additionally, McIlroy earned three nominations at the 2006 Inside Soap Awards for "Best Actor," "Best Couple," and "Best Storyline."
Charlotte Adams
Charlotte Adams, enacted by Stephanie Chaves-Jacobsen, made her first appearance on 10 September 2001. Characterized as "attractive, intelligent, kind-hearted, and genuine," Charlotte was a medical student who faced challenges in her academic pursuits. The character was written out of the series in 2002.
Jim Tyler
Jim Tyler, played by Shane Porteous, debuted on-screen on 25 September 2001. Porteous, who also contributed as a scriptwriter for Home and Away, accepted the role after it remained uncast; his familiarity with production helped ease initial apprehensions. Jim is depicted as "a wanderer with an enigmatic history," eliciting mixed reviews from critics.
Within the storyline, Jim is discovered sleeping on the beach by Brodie Hanson and Dani Sutherland. After he rescues Brodie from a dog attack, Dani’s father, Rhys Sutherland, offers him lodging in return for performing various odd jobs. When Jim falls ill and is discharged from hospital, principal Donald Fisher recognizes him as a former professor and invites him to substitute teach classes. However, Jim’s outdated teaching style results in a nervous breakdown and subsequent transfer to a metropolitan hospital. It is later revealed that fifteen years earlier he accidentally ran over his toddler son, Dean.
Josh West
Josh West, brought to life by Daniel Collopy, made his initial appearance in late 2001, departing in 2003 and briefly returning in 2005. His storyline involved an attempt to construct a freeway and serving as Summer Bay's mayor before he was unintentionally killed off in early 2006.
Collopy secured the role after auditioning in September 2001 and moved from Melbourne to Sydney to film. This marked his first regular television engagement, which he regarded as an excellent chance on Home and Away. Network Seven described Josh as coming from an "upper-class background" and initially having a very relaxed demeanor.
To capitalize on previous successful story arcs that increased ratings, the producers decided to write Josh out through a prominent murder mystery. Collopy received a nomination for "Most Popular New Male Talent" at the 2003 Logie Awards and was also nominated for "Best Bad Boy" at the 2006 Inside Soap Awards. The media dubbed Josh the "new heartthrob" of Summer Bay, with his on-screen romantic involvement significantly boosting Collopy’s public profile, making him a frequent cover star for TV Week.
VJ Patterson
Vincent "VJ" Patterson, Jr., portrayed by Felix Dean, first appeared on 30 November 2001. The character has been depicted by eleven different child actors, including Carlo Teodorowych, Jack Monger, and Cooper Scott. Felix Dean took over the role in 2007 and earned nominations for Best Young Actor at the Inside Soap Awards in both 2008 and 2009. VJ’s distinctive name has attracted some commentary, noted for its uniqueness and potential inspiration from an early model Holden vehicle.
Lily Smith
Lily Smith (formerly Nash) made her debut on 30 November 2001, originally portrayed by Harriet Tapley and Simone Medici. In 2003, twins Claudia and Olivia Jenkins briefly played the role. When Lily returned in 2010, Charlie Rose MacLennan assumed the character starting from 14 October.
Lily is the daughter of Gypsy Nash and Will Smith, born unexpectedly by the roadside when their car broke down while en route to Northern Districts Hospital. Will and Gypsy married on the beach before moving to Queensland. During this period, Lily gained an adoptive sister named Rachel McGregor.
The character reappeared when Will visited Irene Roberts following marital troubles stemming from his unfaithfulness. After their reconciliation failed, Will’s self-destructive behavior caused concern for Lily. She formed a friendship with VJ Patterson; both children shared a birthday and planned to run away together to visit Elijah Johnson in Africa but were safely returned by authorities.
When Lily became ill, Irene cared for her while Will was arrested for the murder of Penn Graham. Subsequently, Lily returned to Gypsy’s guardianship.
Several months later, Lily accompanied Gypsy on a visit to Irene during her cancer treatment. Gypsy’s new partner, Mark Gilmour, clashed with Lily and proposed boarding school as an option, which Gypsy opposed. Their relationship ended after Lily disclosed Gypsy’s affair with Liam Murphy. Following these events, Gypsy and Lily relocated 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 to Vinnie Patterson (Ryan Kwanten), arrives prior to Vinnie’s wedding with Leah Poulos (Ada Nicodemou). Initially mistaking Leah for cleaning staff and clashing with Leah’s father Theo Poulos (Silvio Ofria), Stella eventually supports the marriage. She attends the reception, shares a kiss with Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher), and often cares for her grandson VJ. |
| 1–7 February | Desiree Upton | Simone Robertson | Desiree, a TAFE acquaintance of Gypsy Nash (Kimberley Cooper), kisses Gypsy to make a point but confronts her after realizing she was manipulated. |
| 1–21 February | Hamish "Woody" Woodford | Chris Foy | Woody enrolls at Summer Bay High following expulsion elsewhere. Misinterpreting social cues causes conflict, culminating in him taking a class hostage with a fake firearm, resulting in his arrest. |
| 12–21 February | Ian Woodford | Wayne Pygram | Ian, Woody’s father, refuses to acknowledge his son’s mental health needs and does not intervene during the school crisis. |
| 15–16 February | Morrie Sanders | Peter Brownie | Morrie, uncle to Mitch McColl (Cameron Welsh), informs Mitch about his grandmother’s illness in New Zealand and an inheritance, prompting Mitch’s permanent move. |
| 26 February–8 March | Holly Loader | Clare Flanaghan | Holly, former partner of Jude Lawson (Ben Steel), creates tension by accusing Noah Lawson (Beau Brady) of inappropriate advances and conflicts with Leah’s family. |
| 6 March–26 February 2009 | Helen Poulos | Peta Toppano Anna-Maria Monticelli |
Helen is mother to Leah Poulos (Ada Nicodemou) and her brothers; she arrives alongside husband Theo before Leah’s wedding. |
| 6–7 March | Christina Poulos | Barbara Gouskos | Christina arrives 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, Theo’s brother and Leah’s uncle, visits Summer Bay and disputes business matters during the wedding 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), stays with the family accompanied by girlfriend Linda; he 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 differing life goals. |
| 14 March–3 April | Toni Davidson | Rowan Witt | Toni runs away from home because of abuse by her father John; she is protected by grandfather Leo and the Sutherlands until John is apprehended. |
| 14 March–2 April | Leo Davidson | Bill Charlton | Leo, Toni’s protective grandfather, intervenes in her escape from abuse and reconciles with her. |
| 14 March–10 April | Andrew Moffatt | Anthony Burke | Andrew is Gypsy Nash’s TAFE lecturer who threatens legal action concerning paternity issues. |
| 29 March–20 April | Melissa Hill | Bianca Sulkowicz | Melissa is a ballet class peer of Jade Sutherland (Kate Garven). |
| 29 March | Tonya | Sharni Vinson | Tonya bullies Jade Sutherland during ballet lessons. |
| 30 March–2 April | John Davidson | Sean Dennehy | John attempts to regain custody of daughter Toni but is stopped; Toni reports his abusive behavior to authorities. |
| 11–12 April | Avril Webb | Suzanne Dudley | Avril attempts reconciliation with husband Geoff Webb. |
| 11–27 April | Skye Patterson | Angela Keep | Skye, cousin to Vinnie Patterson, causes friction by kissing Noah Lawson at Leah’s birthday party before leaving Summer Bay. |
| 10–24 May | Jill Lawson | Tracy Mann | Estranged mother of Jude and Noah Lawson returns but requires psychiatric treatment before reconnecting with her sons. |
| 22 May–1 June | Patrick Curl | Kip Gamblin | Patrick dates Gypsy Nash but withdraws upon discovering her unresolved romantic entanglements. |
| 22 May–12 June | David Barclay | Jimmy Sergeant | David, a new student connected to prior community trauma, faces bullying leading to transfer back to city school. |
| 7–11 June | Richard Barclay | Terence Crawford | Father of David Barclay; manages repercussions from local incidents involving his son. |
| 21 June–6 July | Anna Miller | Elizabeth Maywald | Anna and son Seb arrive seeking employment; Anna collapses revealing terminal cancer and discloses Seb’s paternal link to a prominent local family. |
| 23 July–16 August | Aidan Bradley | Ben Mortley | Shauna Bradley’s adoptive brother; exhibits controlling behavior toward Hayley Smith until confronted. |
| 24 July–23 October 2002 | Julius Peters | Leslie Brock | Schoolmate involved in events including a bus accident and Rock Eisteddfod auditions. |
| 3 August–10 July 2003 | Simone Harris | Chelsea Yates | Briefly involved romantically with Nick Smith; friendship dynamics shift amid school events. |
| 13 August–27 September | Matt Lowe | Steve Matthews | Council inspector ensuring safety compliance at community Drop-in Centre. |
| 30 August–4 September | Robbie Jamieson | Rupert Evans | London concierge briefly dating Hayley Smith during Donald Fisher’s book launch visit. |
| 31 August-3 September | James Cooper | Rod Hallett | PR representative for UK publisher managing Donald Fisher’s book launch. |
| 4–5 September | Heidi McIntyre | Aimee Moffatt | Music critic who has a brief relationship with Alex Poulos. |
| 7 September | Gary | Ian Hodson | Jan Hanson’s former boyfriend who briefly reconciles causing family discord. |
| 12 September–23 November | Miles Alcott | Steven Rooke | Friend of Alex Poulos involved in fatal car accident; commemorated locally. |
| 17 September–6 August 2002 | Dr. Carlingford | Alan Faulkner | Senior hospital physician overseeing staff including Charlotte Adams; central to medical storylines. |
| 25 September–9 May 2003 | Gladys Adams | Moya O'Sullivan | Grandmother of Charlotte Adams; key figure in storyline exposing elder abuse in care facility. |
| 1–17 October | Steve Kent | Don Hany | Charlotte Adams’ abusive partner whose violence ends their relationship. |
| 9 October–14 February 2006 | Ashley Saunders
Zoe Ella Flynn Saunders’ sister battling heroin addiction; storyline explores rehabilitation challenges. | ||
| 9–25 October
Terry Keiran Darcy-Smith Ashley Saunders’ drug dealer whose actions incite community conflict. | |||
| 17 October–11 March 2003
Maggie Smart
Elizabeth & Jamie Chambers | |||
| 9 November–14 February 2006
John Saunders Bill Charlton Flynn Saunders’ father; supports Ashley Saunders’ recovery and attends significant family events including Flynn’s funeral. | |||
| 19–26 November
Inspector Fraser Angelean Milner Police officer investigating fatal car accident involving Miles Alcott. | |||
| 20 November–16 May 2002
Lara Rogers Charde Doherty Student facing difficulties addressed through community support programs; briefly dates Seb Miller. | |||
| 21–23 November
Billy Leon Stripp Friend visiting for Schoolies week celebrations. | |||
| 27 November
Kelly Rogers Bronte Doherty Younger sister of Lara Rogers appearing in family-centered scenes. | |||
| 28 November
Lindy Rogers Gabrielle Adkins Mother of Lara and Kelly Rogers involved in on-screen family dynamics. |
External links
- Cast and characters on the Official Australian Home and Away site
- Cast and characters on the Official UK Home and Away site
- Cast and characters at the Internet Movie Database