Hugh Sullivan

Home and Away

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

Home and Away is an Australian television soap opera that premiered on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. The following compilation highlights characters introduced during 2006, all under the direction of series producer Julie McGuaran. The show's 19th season was broadcast from 16 January through 1 December 2006. Significant cast additions included Amy Mathews as Rachel Armstrong in January, Jessica Tovey portraying Belle Taylor in February, and Sam North joining as Dom Moran in April. Actors Rodger Corser and Trent Baines were added to the cast as Doctor Hugh Sullivan and Macca MacKenzie, respectively. In July, Bobby Morley appeared as Drew Curtis, alongside Chris Sadrinna as Rachel's brother, Brad Armstrong. October saw the arrival of Jessica Chapnik playing Sam Tolhurst, her son Rory Tolhurst, and the Cooper siblings: Rocco and Johnny, portrayed by Ian Meadows and Callan Mulvey.

Rachel Armstrong

Rachel Armstrong, brought to life by Amy Mathews, first appeared on screen on 16 January 2006. Mathews departed from the series in 2010 to explore other career opportunities, with her character’s husband Tony Holden also being written out at that time. The official series website characterizes Rachel as possessing keen intuition, a resilient mindset, strong independence, and considerable inner strength. Mathews describes Rachel as sociable, lively, principled, and romantically inclined. In recognition of her portrayal, Mathews secured the Logie Award for "New Female Talent" in 2007 and earned nominations for "Best Actress" and "Best Couple" at the Inside Soap Awards. One of Rachel’s most prominent story arcs involved her being held hostage by a cult intent on compelling her to give birth.

Belle Taylor

Susan "Belle" Taylor, played by Jessica Tovey, made her debut on 3 February 2006. Her major storylines encompassed uncovering her biological mother, struggling with substance addiction, a romantic relationship with Aden Jefferies, and confronting a cancer diagnosis. Tovey exited the series in 2009, culminating in the character’s scripted death; Belle’s final episode aired on 11 August 2009. Joining Home and Away at the age of eighteen, this role marked Tovey’s television debut.

RTÉ depicted Belle as a spirited and outgoing young woman who wrestled with insecurities stemming from a strict and controlling upbringing, yearning for the parental affection she had been denied. Her parents were taken aback by her rejection of their conservative values and her association with a troubled peer group.

Tovey received several award nominations for her role as Belle, including "Most Popular New Female Talent" at the 2007 Logie Awards and "Most Popular Actress" in 2010. She was also shortlisted for "Sexiest Female" at the 2007 Inside Soap Awards, as well as for "Best Actress" and "Best Storyline" in 2009 for the drug addiction narrative. The wedding of Belle and Aden earned a nomination in the Bride and Doom category at the 2010 All About Soap magazine awards. Furthermore, Belle’s funeral episode was nominated for an Australian Writer's Guild Award in 2010. Virgin Media recognized Belle and Aden among "Soaps' sexiest couples," while viewers selected them as Home and Away's most attractive couple in a poll conducted by Holy Soap.

Dom Moran

Dominic "Dom" Moran, brought to life by Sam North, made his first appearance on 20 April 2006 and departed on 14 February 2008.

Dom is employed by his uncle Ray (Damien Garvey) at the Moran Motors workshop. He engages in risky practical jokes targeting Ric Dalby (Mark Furze), causing Ric harm on two occasions—once by splashing battery acid and another time when a defective jack collapses on him. Dom also antagonizes Ric's partner Belle Taylor (Jessica Tovey), which leads to several altercations. Ultimately, Ray dismisses Dom, considering him a liability.

When Dom returns the following year, he provides Drew Curtis (Bobby Morley) with illicit car components for "The Beast" and becomes involved in drag racing alongside local criminal Denni Maitland (Joshua Helman). A drag race involving Denni tragically results in the death of Lisa Duffy, Lucas Holden's former partner. To avoid legal consequences over stolen parts, Dom steals Drew's car and sets it on fire. He agrees to assist in clearing Drew's name if Belle agrees to kiss him; she does so reluctantly. Dom later confesses and is incarcerated for theft.

Upon release, Dom kidnaps Belle but is stopped by Drew and Ray. He later appears in Belle's room, leaving behind a ring before departing. Weeks later, after collapsing at the diner, Belle rushes him to the hospital. Despite tensions with Drew, Dom undergoes emergency surgery. Belle admits her love to Dom but confesses to Drew that it was meant to encourage his recovery. Dom begins rehabilitation with physiotherapist Sam Holden (Jessica Chapnik), who unknowingly supports his pursuit of Belle.

Dom takes employment at the diner, ridiculing Drew for repeating Year 12. Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger) and Roman Harris (Conrad Coleby) arrange an interview for Dom with Irene’s daughter Finlay (Tina Thomsen) in an effort to remove him from Belle’s life. Dom sabotages this chance and leaves for the city, promising to return for Belle.

Clayton Smales from The Townsville Bulletin criticized North’s performance as a "woeful turn" portraying a "flannel-shirted, sparsely bearded Lothario."

Hugh Sullivan

Hugh Sullivan, played by Rodger Corser, appeared from 5 April 2006 until 12 June 2007. In October 2020, Corser was spotted with Home and Away cast members in Coogee, leading to speculation about a potential comeback since Hugh's character was never killed off.

Hugh arrives in Summer Bay as an ex-lover of Rachel Armstrong (Amy Mathews). After meeting Leah Patterson-Baker (Ada Nicodemou), he invites her on a date, which she declines. Returning several months later, Hugh develops feelings for Rachel, who is now married to Kim Hyde (Chris Hemsworth). He offers support during her marital troubles and attempts to get closer by organizing social events and sharing accommodation with Martha MacKenzie (Jodi Gordon).

During an evening out, Hugh encounters Ingrid Lynch and spends the night with her, admitting he is emotionally unavailable. Rachel confronts him about his feelings, which he confirms. Following Rachel’s fallout with Kim, they share a kiss. Hugh receives a job posting in Johannesburg and insists on staying with Rachel; after her hesitation, he departs for South Africa. Months later, he contacts Rachel—now engaged to Tony Holden—but she refuses to meet.

Inside Soap readers preferred Hugh over Kim as Rachel’s romantic interest, with 57% supporting him.

Macca MacKenzie

Michael "Macca" MacKenzie, played by Trent Baines, made his debut on 7 April 2006 and exited the series on 23 February 2007.

Macca’s narrative primarily revolves around his tumultuous relationship with Cassie Turner (Sharni Vinson), marked by repeated incidents of domestic violence. Baines emphasized the importance of addressing such social issues, underlining the necessity for victim support and counseling services.

Introduced as Martha MacKenzie's brother, Macca arrives in Summer Bay and quickly forms a friendship with Cassie, assisting her with boxing training. Despite Martha’s concerns regarding his past behavior with women, Macca accepts a courier position and vows to maintain a long-distance relationship with Cassie. However, after returning earlier than expected, he rents an apartment above the Beachside Diner but struggles to meet job expectations, leading to drug use. Ric Dalby discovers Macca's substance abuse and confronts him, while Cassie also uncovers the issue and faces abuse when she challenges him. The violence intensifies, culminating in a severe injury fueled by jealousy.

Following intervention from Sally Fletcher, Macca turns himself in to the authorities and seeks help. Although barred from attending Martha’s wedding, he heroically saves Jack during an explosion but sustains injuries himself. Later, he discharges himself from hospital to join a search party, where he rescues Ric from falling despite his own condition before departing once the group is found.

Months later, Macca returns claiming to have completed counseling and rekindles his affair with Cassie despite her reunion with Ric. Upon discovering the affair, Ric assaults Macca; their fight is broken up by Sally and Alf Stewart. After being evicted from the caravan park, Macca stays with Amanda Vale but rejects her advances. Offered a city desk job, he plans to relocate with Cassie despite Sally’s objections. However, when Cassie returns to Summer Bay following Ric's stabbing and murder arrest, Macca attempts to convince her to leave but reverts to abusive behavior, ultimately surrendering himself again.

Drew Curtis

Drew Curtis, portrayed by Bobby Morley, first appeared on 7 July 2006 and departed on 21 March 2008. Prior to joining the series, Morley had roles in Angels with Dirty Faces and was cast after attracting attention from casting agents. Although older than the character he portrayed, Morley was selected for Drew and relocated from Melbourne to Sydney for filming commitments. He admitted feeling nervous initially due to the fast-paced production environment. Morley left Home and Away at the end of 2007 and later expressed frustration over being treated like a "meat puppet" because of frequent shirtless scenes.

The official Home and Away website characterized Drew as "brooding" with a pronounced "chip on his shoulder." Morley’s performance earned him a nomination for "Most Popular New Male Talent" at the 2007 Logie Awards. Critics described Drew as a "teenage tearaway" and a "bad-boy heart-throb," emphasizing his appeal among younger viewers.

Brad Armstrong

Bradley "Brad" Armstrong, played by Chris Sadrinna, appeared from 11 July 2006 until 13 November 2007. Introduced as a supportive presence for Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie) following her husband Flynn Saunders' death, Brad’s storyline included personal losses and intricate relationships. The tragic death of his mother, Elaine, profoundly impacted him and his sister Rachel (Amy Mathews). Brad assumed the role of Principal at Summer Bay High School and encountered various challenges, including confrontations with students such as Rocco Cooper and his brother Johnny.

Brad married Emily Vincent (Libby Richmond) in an intimate beach ceremony; however, Emily soon succumbed to leukaemia, leaving Brad heartbroken. His relationship with Sally deepened as they coped together with their grief. After false allegations from Naomi Preston (Tiffany Preece) regarding his awareness of her relationship with Lucas Holden, Brad was suspended from his principal position. Despite this setback, Sally accepted his marriage proposal but ultimately left him at the altar, causing significant emotional distress.

Following a dangerous storm during a boating trip involving key characters like Alf Stewart and Ric Dalby, Brad and others were lost at sea but later returned safely. Subsequent revelations about their father Robert’s affair introduced their half-sister Tamsyn (Gabrielle Scollay), whom Brad assisted in caring for despite her difficult behavior. These responsibilities affected his career opportunities, including losing a position at Yabbie Creek High School. Eventually, Brad chose to move to Tasmania, inviting Heather and Tamsyn to accompany him.

Sadrinna received nominations for Best Newcomer and Best Couple at the 2007 Inside Soap Awards for his role. The episode featuring Brad being left at the altar won an Australian Writer's Guild award in 2008, while the storm-at-sea installment was nominated for Best Single Episode at the 2008 Digital Spy Soap Awards.

Rocco Cooper

Rocco Cooper, played by Ian Meadows, was featured from 11 October 2006 until 6 February 2007. He transfers to Summer Bay High after Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie) intervenes, overruling principal Brad Armstrong's (Chris Sadrinna) objections due to Rocco's past involvement with a gang. Sally champions his opportunity for rehabilitation, and Rocco gains admiration through dedication. Upon discovering his unstable housing situation, she offers him a place to stay.

Rocco's elder sibling, Johnny (Callan Mulvey), coerces him into continuing gang activities, threatening fatal consequences if he attempts to leave. After assisting Johnny by providing an alibi for vandalism, the brothers engage in additional criminal acts until Rocco betrays Johnny by informing the police about a staged Credit Union robbery. Following Johnny’s capture, he commands Rocco to kill Sally or face death himself. Under extreme pressure, Rocco stabs Sally, who survives the attack.

In retaliation, Johnny issues further threats; Sally’s foster son, Ric Dalby (Mark Furze), confronts Rocco. Fearing for his safety, Rocco seeks refuge through Johnny’s arranged safehouse protection. Ric later finds Rocco severely beaten there; after several days in a coma, Rocco passes away. Only Sally, Brad, and a guarded Johnny attend his unmarked burial. Ric is initially imprisoned for the murder but is released once Johnny is exposed as the true culprit.

The plotline involving Rocco stabbing Sally received a nomination for "Best Storyline" at the 2007 Inside Soap Awards.

Sam Holden

Sam Holden, portrayed by Jessica Chapnik, first appeared on 17 October 2006. Chapnik was cast unexpectedly and departed in 2008 to pursue opportunities in the United States. She described Sam as a multifaceted individual plagued by self-hatred and misunderstanding, whose tragic downfall was inevitable. Chapnik highlighted Sam’s intense emotional nature as making it challenging to justify her decisions, distinguishing this role from her previous work.

Eleven Magazine noted Sam's disruptive presence within Summer Bay’s community, while Scott Ellis of the Sun-Herald labeled her a "murderous psycho."

Johnny Cooper

Johnny Cooper, enacted by Callan Mulvey, appeared between 19 October 2007 and 25 March 2008. Mulvey earned nominations for "Best Bad Boy" at the Inside Soap Awards in both 2007 and 2008 for this portrayal.

Rory Tolhurst

Rory Holden (originally Deeks, formerly Tolhurst) made his debut on 20 October 2006 and exited on 14 April 2008. Initially portrayed by Ed Willis, the role was assumed by Jack Rickard in 2007.

Rory’s narrative focuses on his connection with Jack Holden, who is romantically involved with Rory’s mother, Sam Holden. After cohabiting with them, Rory experiences difficulties including his mother’s kidnapping and subsequent death, which causes strain between him and Jack. Rory is abducted by his father, Shane Deeks—an escaped prisoner—but is later found unharmed. Following these events, he views Jack as a paternal figure.

An academically gifted student, Rory skips directly into Year 7 at Summer Bay High but faces social challenges that lead to clashes with peers such as Aden Jefferies, Cassie Turner, and Matilda Hunter. His behavior worsens amid conflicts surrounding Jack and Sam’s engagement and threats from Johnny Cooper. After Sam’s death, Rory holds Jack responsible and distances himself.

Ed Willis received a Digital Spy Award nomination in 2008 for his performance as Rory.

Others

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Context
24 January–28 February	Rebecca Tate	Janneke Arent	Ex-member of The Believers cult under Mumma Rose's leadership. Robbie Hunter locates her after his wife Tasha becomes involved with the group. Rebecca uncovers Mumma Rose's intention to designate her as "The Chosen One" through impregnation by Jonah Abraham. After being abducted by the cult, she pretends to comply in order to free Tasha and Jonah, subsequently alerting authorities before vanishing.
15 February–22 March	Brian Helpman	John Noble	Senior physician at Northern Districts Hospital who subjects Rachel Armstrong to harassment, escalating from inappropriate contact to blackmail concerning her relationship with Kim Hyde. Rachel reports the misconduct to CEO Geoff Olivetti.
22 February–2 March	Judge Gilroy	Elizabeth Gentle	Oversees Alf Stewart's fraud case and sentences him to nine months imprisonment following a guilty verdict.
2 March–13 April 2012	James Gibson	Richard Sydenham	Prosecuting attorney in Alf Stewart's trial who also provides legal counsel to Angelo Rosetta; participates in court proceedings for Casey Braxton's arson and Sasha Bezmel's murder cases.
2 March–5 July 2009	Geoff Olivetti	Barry Quin	CEO at Northern Districts Hospital managing inquiries including Rachel Armstrong’s harassment complaint against Brian Helpman and malpractice allegations from Rex Avent; places Rachel on suspension during investigation.
21–26 April	Robert Armstrong	John Gregg	Estranged father of Rachel and Brad Armstrong; assumes the role of Regional Director of Emergency at Northern Districts Hospital and endorses Rachel for Junior Registrar. His history includes causing a car crash leading to Elaine Armstrong’s amnesia and fathering daughter Tamsyn through an affair. Attempts to pressure Rachel into testifying for his legal defense but is refused.
21 April–5 November 2007	Ray Moran	Damien Garvey	Owner of Moran Motors garage; initially dismisses concerns about nephew Dom Moran's dangerous conduct resulting in Ric Dalby's injury. Later terminates Dom’s employment and hires Drew Curtis as an apprentice, who is subsequently dismissed after reporting stolen parts supplied by Dom. Engages in a plot that causes Ric’s job loss.
25 April–20 June	Elaine Armstrong	Julie Hudspeth	Mother of Rachel and Brad Armstrong suffering from severe amnesia caused by a vehicle accident instigated by Robert Armstrong. Resides in a nursing facility; attends Jack Holden and Martha MacKenzie's wedding but later dies due to injuries from a gas explosion.
5 May–1 June	Doris McKinnon	Julie Herbert	Elderly patient under Rachel Armstrong’s care; experiences cardiac arrest following an accidental medication overdose caused by her grandson Charlie McKinnon.
5 May–6 June	Charlie McKinnon	Matt Levett	Initially antagonistic but grows close to Rachel Armstrong and Kim Hyde. Supports Kim during his father's murder trial. After inadvertently causing grandmother Doris’s death through medication overdose, he attempts to abduct Rachel with harmful intent but is stopped and committed to a mental institution.
11 May–28 November	Lee Morton	Natasha Lee	Pregnant student involved romantically with Science teacher Steve Braeburn; gives birth to son Joe, temporarily entrusting him to Rachel Armstrong before reclaiming custody. Leaves following relationship complications.
23 May–20 June	Tracey Thompson	Sarah Enright	Police detective assisting in the investigation of second Summer Bay stalker Eve Jacobsen; later unveiled as Eve's collaborator. Both perish in a gas explosion at Jack Holden and Martha MacKenzie's wedding.
5 June–23 March 2007	Kitty Landsdowne	Geraldine Turner	Amanda Vale’s mother who claims she has cancer; reveals that Amanda’s daughter Belle Taylor was given up for adoption rather than stillborn as previously stated. Engages in financial deceit with daughter Kelli, leading Kitty to leave town after withholding vital heart medication.
6 June–11 September	Evan Rice	Matthew Starling	Police constable stationed in Yabbie Creek involved in various investigations including arson at Summer Bay High; coerced into framing Drew Curtis under blackmail; later faces charges for arson and bribery.
15 June	David Taylor	Mark Pegler	Adoptive father of Belle Taylor who demands money from biological grandmother Kitty Landsdowne under threat of exposing family secrets; rejected by Belle.
23 June–17 July	Colin Page	Shane Withington	Helicopter pilot whose crash leaves Kim Hyde, Martha MacKenzie, Kit Hunter, Robbie Hunter, and Belle Taylor stranded in the wilderness; acts as mediator throughout their ordeal until rescue arrives.
13–19 July	Steve Braeburn	Sam Lyndon	Science teacher at Summer Bay High engaged in an inappropriate relationship with student Lee Morton resulting in pregnancy. Attempts coercion for abortion and is arrested following threats against Lee and an attempted kidnapping.
3 August–1 May 2008	Betty Allsop	May Turner	Acquaintance of Colleen Smart participating in local events including a bowls tournament where cheating assists Colleen’s victory.
3 August–5 September	Tara O'Neill	Cashelle Dunn	Customer at surf club gym who falsely accuses Kim Hyde of sexual assault aiming for attention from her police officer father Gordon O'Neill; allegations are disproven leading to family reconciliation.
3–28 August	Mel Harris	"Counsellor at troubled teens camp aiding Matilda Hunter with bulimia treatment; assaulted by fellow camper Vanessa Covacs."

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