Home and Away: All or Nothing

Home and Away: All or Nothing

Company type	Television movie / Spin-off
Industry	Television
Founded	January 26, 2017 (2017-01-26)
Founder	Louise Bowes
Key people	Arnie Custo (director)
Products	Television movie

Home and Away: All or Nothing is a television movie and a spin-off from the Australian soap opera Home and Away. Created by Louise Bowes and directed by Arnie Custo, it debuted on 26 January 2017 (Australia Day) through Foxtel on Demand, Foxtel Play, and Presto. Following the success of the 2015 telefilm Home and Away: An Eye for an Eye, which set new streaming records on Presto, this special was commissioned alongside Home and Away: Revenge. All or Nothing acts as a continuation of Revenge, featuring both current cast members and returning actors.

The storyline focuses on Trevor Gunson (Diarmid Heidenreich), who sparks a prison uprising aiming to eliminate Kyle Braxton (Nic Westaway) and his brother Heath Braxton (Dan Ewing), who visits with his spouse Bianca Scott (Lisa Gormley). Ewing described the plot as grimmer than typical episodes, highlighting themes of survival. Filming took place at authentic locations including Maitland Gaol and Parramatta Correctional Centre, both known for their confined and intense environments. The special was well-received critically; Colin Vickery of The Daily Telegraph labeled it "the bloodiest episode ever seen of the hit Aussie soapie".

Plot

Kyle Braxton, incarcerated for thirteen years, is transferred to the Protection Unit after his adversary Trevor "Gunno" Gunson returns to prison. During a visit by Kyle’s brother Heath and wife Bianca, it is revealed that Gunno recently abducted Bianca. Prison inmate Bandit alerts Gunno about their visit, prompting Gunno to ignite a riot to enforce a lockdown. Gunno and Bandit take control of the security command center while inmates in the Protection Unit come under attack. Kyle manages to save an injured Prison Guard Mayhew. As Heath and Bianca are being escorted out, Gunno hijacks the PA system, demanding Kyle be brought to him. Unable to escape, Heath and Bianca conceal themselves in a ceiling crawlspace.

In Summer Bay, Heath’s daughter Darcy watches news coverage of the riot; Irene Roberts clarifies that it is occurring at a different prison. Irene contacts Nate Cooper and Martin "Ash" Ashford, who agree to assist. After regaining consciousness, Mayhew gives Kyle keys to facilitate an escape. However, prisoner Frank uses Mayhew’s radio to betray Kyle’s whereabouts. Gunno unlocks doors allowing general population inmates into the Protection Unit. Kyle and Mayhew retreat to the laundry area. Ash enters through a secret drug smuggling passage, finds Heath and Bianca after smoke forces them out of hiding, escorts Bianca out while Heath remains behind to support Kyle.

Bianca collapses into Nate’s arms and reveals she is pregnant. Gunno arms himself and shoots Kyle, leaving him severely wounded. Heath disguises himself in prison attire; Ash locates him. Isla Schultz, connected to Kyle’s conviction, visits Bianca expressing her enduring love for Kyle. Ash and Heath stabilize Kyle, who battles despair until Isla’s visit restores his hope. They make their way toward the exit; Kyle is handcuffed and transported by ambulance.

Gunno disguises himself as a guard; Ash chases after him. After Gunno attempts to shoot Ash but fails, Ash kills Gunno by impaling him on a clothes hook. Mayhew offers to assume responsibility for Gunno’s death. Heath and Bianca inform Darcy that they are safe. Kyle reunites with Isla, seeking clarity about their future before sharing a kiss. Mayhew admits responsibility for an inmate’s death to reporters, recommending that Kyle’s sentence be reduced due to saving his life. Later that night, Bianca confirms her pregnancy to Heath.

Cast

(In sequence of appearance)

• Diarmid Heidenreich portraying Trevor Gunson
• Nic Westaway as Kyle Braxton
• Justin Stewart Cotta in the role of Prison Guard Mayhew
• Peter Callan playing Prisoner Frank
• Benjamin Hoetjes cast as Bandit
• Lisa Gormley appearing as Bianca Scott
• Dan Ewing as Heath Braxton
• Alea O'Shea as Darcy Callahan
• Lynne McGranger in the role of Irene Roberts
• Kyle Pryor portraying Nate Cooper
• Sandy Winton as Prison Guard Richardson
• Lauren Clair cast as Sergeant Emily Larsen
• Chantelle Jamieson playing a Journalist
• George Mason as Martin Ashford
• Aaron Scully in the role of Stan
• Samantha Jade appearing as Isla Schultz
• Oliver Cooney as Paramedic

Concept and Development

After the notable success of Home and Away: An Eye for an Eye, which set new streaming records on Presto in 2015, additional spin-offs were greenlit. In May 2016, All or Nothing was commissioned alongside Home and Away: Revenge. Both specials were planned for release during the summer hiatus of the main series.

The production team designed All or Nothing to feature a notably more intense narrative, continuing directly from the events of Revenge. The story centers on Trevor "Gunno" Gunson (Diarmid Heidenreich) who returns to prison with the intent to provoke a riot targeting Heath (Dan Ewing) and Kyle Braxton (Nic Westaway). Dan Ewing characterized the plot as survival-focused and more confined in scope compared to earlier specials, describing it as a blend of "Home and Away meets Die Hard." The telefilm's finale also set up a fresh storyline arc concerning Bianca and Heath’s pregnancy within the main series.

Casting and Filming

The cast of All or Nothing includes both current and returning members from Home and Away. Dan Ewing and Lisa Gormley reprised their roles as Heath Braxton and Bianca Scott, while Nic Westaway and Samantha Jade returned to portray Kyle Braxton and Isla Schultz. Additional featured actors were Lynne McGranger (Irene Roberts), Kyle Pryor (Nate Cooper) and George Mason (Martin Ashford).

Samantha Jade shared her excitement about rejoining the project, highlighting her character’s remorse over Kyle’s incarceration due to her actions. Nic Westaway enjoyed collaborating with Jade again, noting that despite a short time apart, it felt like a lengthy separation. In August 2016, male extras were cast to play prisoners and guards, including some former inmates from the filming locations.

Produced by Seven Productions, principal photography took place at the retired Maitland Gaol and Parramatta Correctional Centre during August 2016. Dan Ewing described these sites as "surreal and eerie," which contributed to the intense, confined atmosphere of the story. During shooting at Parramatta, local authorities and residents were informed beforehand due to simulated gunfire noises used in filming.

Broadcast

Home and Away: All or Nothing debuted on Foxtel Play and Foxtel on Demand on Australia Day, 26 January 2017, shortly before the shutdown of Presto. The UK premiere occurred on digital channel 5Star on 14 March 2017, occupying a 95-minute time slot. In Ireland, the series was divided into three half-hour episodes broadcast on RTÉ2 from 20 to 22 March 2017.

Reception

In the United Kingdom, All or Nothing drew an audience of 304,000 viewers on 5Star, securing the seventh position in weekly ratings.

Expectations were elevated, with Rachel Gavin from TV Soap forecasting it to be "equally remarkable if not surpassing Revenge." Helena Cartwright of Digital Spy described it as possibly "the most violent episode yet witnessed." A contributor to Woman's Day New Zealand commended its intense and gritty storyline that challenged the characters' endurance.

Colin Vickery of The Daily Telegraph described it as "the bloodiest episode ever" within the soap's history, noting its atmosphere resembled series like Prison Break or Wentworth rather than the usual Summer Bay setting. He also compared one fight sequence to those typical of Quentin Tarantino’s films. Jeremy Helligar from Nine.com.au highlighted the rare inclusion of gunfire in a show traditionally centered around beach life.

Brad Newsome of The Sydney Morning Herald expressed a preference for All or Nothing over Revenge, applauding director Arnie Custo, cinematographer Bob Miller’s skillful use of locations, and Michael Yezerski’s musical composition. He praised the performances by Heidenreich, Hoetjes, and Callan while wishing some actors had more screen time. Although he described the storyline as "absurd," he found it compelling up to its conclusion.