Julie Cooper (Home and Away)

Home and Away

Company type	Television series
Industry	Entertainment
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. This section outlines the characters introduced in 2002, all under the guidance of Series Producer Julie McGuaran. The show's fifteenth season commenced 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 (played by Brett Hicks-Maitland) in October.

Max Sutherland

Max Sutherland, brought to life by actor Sebastian Elmaloglou,<ref name= "Mineshaft">appeared on screen from 21 January 2002 until 1 September 2004. Prior to this role, Elmaloglou had guest appearances on various television series including GP, with Max marking his first regular role. He described Max as "very cheeky," a trait quite different from his own personality. Around the time of his debut, Elmaloglou viewed earlier episodes featuring his sister Rebekah Elmaloglou, who portrayed Sophie Simpson.

Max arrives in Summer Bay accompanied by his father, Pete (Christopher Mayer), intending to stay 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 quickly 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 brief romantic triangle with Tamara Simpson (Sophie Luck) and Caitlin (Bree Beadman). Subsequently, he befriends the confused Tasha Andrews (Isabel Lucas) and develops a relationship with new student Eloise Lennox (Suzanne McEachern), who confides that she is battling leukemia. Max supports her in fulfilling her final wishes before she passes away in his arms.

After Eloise's death, Max constructs a memorial inside an abandoned mineshaft that collapses when Rhys, Kirsty, and Jade Sutherland (Kate Garven) attempt to rescue him. Following Rhys's marriage to Beth Hunter (Clarissa House), Max faces challenges with her twins Henry (Tobi Atkins) and Matilda (Indiana Evans), initially clashing with Henry. A boxing match organized by Principal Barry Hyde concludes with Henry victorious, but they eventually reconcile and become friends. Max briefly shows romantic interest in Matilda but is rejected. Amid family conflicts and Rhys's reconciliation with Shelley, Max feels alienated and declines an offer to relocate to the city, opting instead for boarding school.

Elmaloglou received a nomination for "Best Young Actor" at the 2004 Inside Soap Awards.<ref>Channel 5 highlighted the episode featuring the mineshaft collapse as one of the series' most memorable.<ref> In 2017, Digital Spy commended Max's story arcs involving romantic triangles, boxing challenges, and intense dramatic moments within less than three years on the program.<ref> Nonetheless, some commentators observed that Max and Eloise's terminal illness storyline bore similarities to an earlier plot involving Blake Dean and Meg Bowman.<ref>

Paris Burnett

Paris Burnett, brought to life by Rhett Giles, made his first appearance on 29 April 2002 and departed on 10 September 2003. Giles, having previously featured in All Saints on the Seven Network, resumed work there following his stint on Home and Away.

Paris steps into the role of principal at Summer Bay High, succeeding Donald Fisher amid efforts by the education department to shut down the school. He quickly establishes a rapport with Irene Roberts, despite initially denying any mutual attraction. At a social event, they uncover common ground through their shared histories in relationships.

After obtaining crucial evidence that exposes shortcomings within the department, Paris plays a vital role in preventing the school's closure. His bond with Irene intensifies, though complications arise when Donald returns to his former position and Paris contemplates leaving. During celebrations for Summer Bay’s 150th anniversary, they become stranded after a shipwreck and share a kiss, initiating a relationship challenged by disapproval from Irene’s foster son, Nick. Although Paris is later offered a position in Orange, he opts to remain and parts amicably with Irene.

He makes a comeback months later as principal following Donald’s retirement, sparking tension with Angie Russell, who had anticipated being promoted. Paris encourages Irene to renew their relationship and moves into the Beach House. Nick’s challenging behavior creates strain, and after Irene is diagnosed with depression, they briefly reunite. Paris abruptly departs upon learning of his brother's death and his responsibility to care for his niece and nephew. He invites Irene to accompany him, but she declines, leading to an emotional goodbye before he leaves.

Angie Russell

Angela "Angie" Russell, portrayed by Laurie Foell, debuted on 26 September 2002 and exited on 21 March 2003, later returning as a ghost in 2004. The storyline revealing Angie’s murderer attracted an audience of 1.5 million viewers in Australia, surpassing the ratings of Nine Network's Big Brother Australia 2003. Angie earned a spot among "The 50 most evil soap villains of all time" by What's on TV, underscoring Laurie Foell’s memorable performance. The Sunday Mercury commented on the storyline’s relatively swift resolution compared to typical soap opera pacing.

Dylan Russell

Dylan Russell, enacted by Adelaide native Brett Hicks-Maitland, first appeared on 8 October 2002 before leaving in 2003 and returning briefly in 2004. A graduate of NIDA, Hicks-Maitland moved to Sydney seeking acting opportunities and was offered an extended role due to his strong performance. Even years after his departure, he remained closely identified with this character.

The official website describes Dylan as a mature yet still developing 17-year-old with a kind-hearted disposition. Known for his sharp wit and social aloofness, Dylan arrives in Summer Bay following his mother Angie’s appointment as Deputy Principal. He begins dating Kirsty Sutherland despite Angie’s objections. When Dylan suspects that Kirsty’s father Rhys might be his own father as well, he ends the relationship but later grows closer to the Sutherland family.

A boating accident necessitating a blood transfusion reveals that Dylan is not Rhys’s biological son, leaving him feeling betrayed but ultimately accepted by the Sutherlands. He attempts to rekindle his romance with Kirsty but faces difficulties. As Angie’s instability worsens, Dylan plans to leave with her for assistance but accidentally kills Angie during an altercation. Arrested but later acquitted of murder charges, Dylan relocates to the city with his grandmother Monica Markham.

Dylan reconnects with his half-sister Tasha Andrews and encounters Angie’s lookalike cousin Josie Russell. The episode featuring Dylan’s confession received a nomination for an Australian Writer's Guild Award in 2004.

Others

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Details
21 January – 13 March	Pete Sutherland	Christopher Mayer	Brother to Rhys Sutherland and father of Max. Pete comes to visit family but escapes due to gambling debts, leaving Max in the care of Rhys and Shelley.
22–24 January	Brian Alcott	Richard Healy	Father of Miles Alcott, attends the coroner's inquest regarding his son's death. Reconciles with Alex Poulos and advises him not to let the tragedy define his future.
23 January	Mrs. Alcott	Uncredited	Miles Alcott's mother, present at his inquest.
5–13 February	Justin Bell	Mitchell Eirth	Troubled teenager expelled by his mother Maggie; takes refuge at a drop-in centre; involved in theft and violent episodes; clashes with Flynn Saunders; Maggie attempts unsuccessful blackmail.
5 February – 1 April	Patricia Morgan	Gennie Nevinson	Principal of Reefton Lakes High; disputes with Summer Bay High's principal over school closures; submits misleading proposal favoring her institution; her son Ethan supports Summer Bay's opposition campaign.
6 February – 8 March	Maggie Bell	Helen O'Connor	Justin Bell's mother; expels him due to violent behavior; attempts to blackmail Flynn Saunders without success.
11 February – 12 April	Grace O'Connor	Mary Docker	Nurse at Northern Districts Hospital; cares for Justin Bell and Nick Smith following accidents; briefly dates Nathan Roberts before moving away.
18–20 February	Mr Atkins	David Webb	Lawyer defending Vinnie Patterson in a fraud case; defense is unsuccessful.
19 February	Greg West	Dane Carson	Father of Josh West; encourages him to pursue university; later ill, entrusts Josh with business responsibilities.
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	Student leader at Reefton Lakes High; advocates against school closures; arrested during protest but subsequently released.
25 February	Jenny Latham	Fiona Hepburn	Parole officer assisting Nathan Roberts in securing employment.
26 February–14 August 2012	Julie Cooper	Lisa Hayson-Phillips	Nurse at Northern Districts Hospital involved in major storylines including Flynn Saunders' death, a nurses' strike, and being falsely accused of murder.
27 February – 21 March	Christopher "Kick" Johnson	Jason Clarke	Exchange teacher from Reefton Lakes High who conflicts with Donald Fisher; departs following bus crash incident.
7 March – 6 September	Kelli Edwards	Alyssa-Jane Cook	Local baker supplying Beachside Diner; her relationship with Alex Poulos is strained by harassment from ex-husband Jason Edwards.
12 March – 17 April	Jemma MacKinnon	Thea Gumbert	Hairdresser and friend of Kirsty Sutherland; provides false ID leading to hospitalization incident; experiences brief homelessness 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 mother of Josh West; supports coverage of school protests and family reunions.
17 April	Ray MacKinnon	Christopher Burke	Parent of Gemma MacKinnon, persuaded 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; befriends Hayley Smith and Alex Poulos; leaves town after erratic conduct is revealed.
23 April – 8 May	Ryan Anderson	Damien Fowler	Youth subjected to bullying, connected with Donald Fisher.
23 May	Captain Ellis	Christopher Galletti	Captain of the cruise ship Mirgini during the town’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
27 June–4 May 2004	Caitlin	Bree Beadman	Classmate interested in Max Sutherland.
18 July – 5 September	Mav Patterson	Clayton Williams	Cousin to Vinnie Patterson; briefly dates Brodie Hanson before departing the Bay.
1–27 August	Jason Edwards	Benj Daddario	Kelli Edwards' ex-husband; abusive towards her and confronts Alex Poulos; hospitalized after altercation with Jesse McGregor.
27 August – 6 September	Bernadette	Celia Ireland	Manager of Yabbie Creek RSL club; pays jackpot prize to Colleen Smart.
17 October–3 July 2003	Mikey Dunn	Trent Atkinson	Autistic student at Summer Bay High who befriends Seb Miller and Sally Fletcher; leaves after the end-of-year dance but returns briefly for Sally’s wedding and job opportunities.
17 October–3 July 2003	Mrs Dunn	Susan Kennedy	Mother of Mikey Dunn.
17 October	Kelvin Matthews	James Donnellan	Gym patron who makes unwanted advances toward Hayley Smith; assaulted by Jesse McGregor who faces legal charges.
17–25 October	Tara	Rebecca Murphy	Former friend of Sally Fletcher asked to be a surrogate mother but departs after revealing a tragic history.
6–12 November	Grigg	Amos Szeps	Ex-cellmate of Jesse McGregor who blackmails him, takes hostages, then flees; later discovered deceased in Donald Fisher’s car.