Kelli Edwards

Home and Away

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

Home and Away is a long-running Australian soap opera that premiered on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. The following section outlines characters introduced in 2002, all under the guidance of Series Producer Julie McGuaran. The show's fifteenth season commenced on 14 January 2002. Sebastian Elmaloglou joined the cast as Max Sutherland in January, followed by Rhett Giles portraying Paris Burnett in April. Deputy Principal Angie Russell, played by Laurie Foell, arrived in September, with her son Dylan (Brett Hicks-Maitland) appearing from October onwards.

Max Sutherland

Max Sutherland, brought to life by Sebastian Elmaloglou, was featured from 21 January 2002 until 1 September 2004. Prior to this role, Elmaloglou had guest appearances on shows such as GP, making this his first regular television role. He described Max as "very cheeky," noting that this contrasted significantly with his own demeanor. Around the time of his introduction, Elmaloglou mentioned watching reruns of Home and Away starring 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 (Michael Beckley) and aunt Shelley (Paula Forrest). When Pete absconds to Hong Kong due to gambling debts, Max remains permanently in Summer Bay. He initially faces challenges adapting but forms a friendship with caravan resident Colleen Smart (Lyn Collingwood) and frequently engages in disputes at school alongside his cousin Kirsty (Christie Hayes). Max aids Colleen in authoring a book under the alias "Maxine Peterson" and becomes entangled in a brief romantic triangle involving Tamara Simpson (Sophie Luck) and Caitlin (Bree Beadman).

Max later develops a friendship with the confused Tasha Andrews (Isabel Lucas) and is drawn to new arrival Eloise Lennox (Suzanne McEachern), who discloses her leukemia diagnosis. He supports Eloise through her final days until she passes away in his arms. In her memory, Max constructs a tribute inside an abandoned mineshaft, which later collapses while Rhys, Kirsty, and Jade (Kate Garven) attempt to rescue him.

Following Rhys's divorce from Shelley and subsequent remarriage to Beth Hunter (Clarissa House), Max contends with friction involving Beth’s twin children, Henry (Tobi Atkins) and Matilda (Indiana Evans). Despite initial animosity, Max and Henry eventually form a friendship after overcoming conflicts including a boxing match organized by Principal Barry Hyde (Ivar Kants). Max also experiences a brief romantic interest in Matilda but faces rejection.

After further family disruptions and Rhys reconciling with Shelley, Max feels disconnected and declines their invitation to move with them to the city, opting instead for boarding school.

Elmaloglou received a nomination for "Best Young Actor" at the 2004 Inside Soap Awards. Channel 5 recognized the 2003 season finale featuring the mineshaft collapse as one of the series’ standout episodes. In 2017, Digital Spy commended Max’s story arcs for their complexity and range during his under three-year stint. Conversely, Inside Soap critiqued the terminal illness storyline for its resemblance to previous plots.

Paris Burnett

Paris Burnett, portrayed by Rhett Giles, made his initial appearance on 29 April 2002 and exited the series on 10 September 2003. Prior to joining, Giles had worked on All Saints, produced nearby at the Seven Network, and he returned there following his time on Home and Away.

Paris takes over as the principal of Summer Bay High, succeeding Donald Fisher, who is suspended amid a departmental scheme aimed at shutting down the school. He quickly establishes a rapport with Irene Roberts, although both initially resist acknowledging their mutual attraction. During a flat-painting celebration for Noah Lawson and Hayley Smith, Paris and Irene bond over shared personal losses in past relationships.

When Brett Egan uncovers evidence exposing the department's mismanagement, Paris plays a key role in preventing the school's closure. As his relationship with Irene deepens, he hesitates to fully commit. After Donald is reinstated, Irene chooses not to pursue a relationship further due to Paris’s impending departure. However, during the 150th anniversary dinner of Summer Bay, they become stranded by a storm and share a kiss. Once rescued, they begin dating, though Irene’s foster son Nick expresses disapproval, believing Paris is too young.

Paris accepts a position in Orange and leaves after a heartfelt goodbye with Irene. Several months later, he returns to replace Donald following his retirement, creating friction with Angie Russell, who expected the promotion herself. Paris convinces Irene to reconcile despite her initial hesitation and moves into the Beach House. Due to Nick’s challenging behavior, Paris temporarily relocates out. Their bond strengthens when Irene is diagnosed with depression but ultimately ends when Paris must care for his orphaned niece and nephew after his brother’s passing. He invites Irene to join him in this new chapter, but she declines. They part ways with a final kiss before Paris departs from town.

Angie Russell

Angela "Angie" Russell, played by Laurie Foell, first appeared on 26 September 2002 and left on 21 March 2003, later returning briefly as a ghost in 2004. The storyline revealing Angie’s murderer attracted Australian viewership of 1.5 million, surpassing Nine Network's Big Brother Australia 2003. A writer for What's on TV ranked Angie among "The 50 most evil soap villains of all time," praising Foell's powerful performances both as Angie and subsequently as her cousin Josie. The Sunday Mercury described Angie as a "crackpot," commending the show for resolving her murder plot swiftly.

Dylan Russell

Dylan Russell, portrayed by Brett Hicks-Maitland from Adelaide, debuted on 8 October 2002 and departed in 2003 with a brief return in 2004. A graduate of NIDA, Hicks-Maitland moved to Sydney for the role; producers extended his contract following positive initial impressions. Years later, he remained closely associated with the character of Dylan.

Dylan was depicted as a mature yet still developing 17-year-old with attractive looks and empathy. He was socially skilled but also self-focused, with wit compared to that of Nick Smith.

He arrives in Summer Bay after his mother Angie becomes Deputy Principal and starts dating Kirsty Sutherland despite Angie’s disapproval. Upon learning that Rhys Sutherland is allegedly his father, Dylan ends the relationship but later grows closer to the Sutherland family after discovering Angie’s instability. A paternity test disproves Rhys as his father; nonetheless, the Sutherlands accept him.

Following an argument that results in Angie’s accidental death, Dylan confesses but is found not guilty at trial. He then reconnects with his half-sister Tasha Andrews and searches for Angie’s lookalike cousin Josie Russell in the city when Tasha goes missing.

The episode featuring Dylan’s confession was written by Fiona Kelly and received an Australian Writer’s Guild Award nomination in 2004.

Others

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Circumstances
21 January – 13 March	Pete Sutherland	Christopher Mayer	Pete, sibling of Rhys Sutherland and father to Max, arrives in the Bay to reconnect with family. After revealing his gambling debts, Pete and Max flee but later return. When debt collectors pursue him, Pete entrusts Max to Rhys and Shelley before leaving.
22–24 January	Brian Alcott	Richard Healy	Brian, father of Miles Alcott, attends the coroner's inquest into his son's death. He offers support to Miles' partner Brodie Hanson and reconciles with Alex Poulos following Alex's acquittal.
23 January	Mrs. Alcott	Uncredited	The mother of Miles Alcott is present at his inquest.
5–13 February	Justin Bell	Mitchell Eirth	Justin stirs trouble at the surf club and is discovered to be homeless after his mother Maggie expels him due to violent behavior. Flynn Saunders assists him, but Justin later collapses and accuses Flynn of assault. Maggie attempts unsuccessful blackmail against Flynn.
5 February – 1 April	Patricia Morgan	Gennie Nevinson	Principal of Reefton Lakes High, Patricia opposes Summer Bay High's principal regarding school closures. Her plan benefits only Reefton Lakes, although her son Ethan supports Summer Bay's cause.
6 February – 8 March	Maggie Bell	Helen O'Connor	Justin Bell’s mother who expels him for violence. She contacts Flynn to locate Justin and later tries, unsuccessfully, to blackmail Flynn.
11 February – 12 April	Grace O'Connor	Mary Docker	Nurse at Northern Districts Hospital treating Justin Bell and Nick Smith following a bus accident. Briefly dates Nathan Roberts before leaving town.
18–20 February	Mr Atkins	David Webb	Legal representative for Vinnie Patterson during his fraud trial; ultimately unsuccessful in defense.
19 February	Greg West	Dane Carson	Josh West’s father who encourages university attendance and later requests Josh manage his businesses due to declining health.
20 February	Governor Williamson	Alistair Duncan	Judge who sentences Vinnie Patterson to a two-year prison term for fraud.
21 February – 8 April	Ethan Morgan	Ben Connolly	Student leader at Reefton Lakes High supporting campaigns against school closures; arrested during a sit-in but released owing to a clean record.
25 February	Jenny Latham	Fiona Hepburn	Parole officer assisting Nathan Roberts with securing employment.
26 February–14 August 2012	Julie Cooper	Lisa Hayson-Phillips	Nurse at Northern Districts Hospital; forms friendship with Flynn Saunders and briefly dates Tony Holden. Falsely accused of murder but exonerated; participates in nurses' strike before returning amid emergencies.
27 February – 21 March	Christopher "Kick" Johnson	Jason Clarke	Exchange teacher from Reefton Lakes High whose unconventional teaching style conflicts with Donald Fisher; departs after being affected by a student bus accident.
7 March – 6 September	Kelli Edwards	Alyssa-Jane Cook	Local baker supplying Beachside Diner; her relationship with Alex Poulos ends due to harassment from ex-husband Jason Edwards, prompting her departure.
12 March – 17 April	Jemma MacKinnon	Thea Gumbert	Hairdresser and friend of Kirsty Sutherland; provides fake ID leading to hospitalization incident; after being expelled, returns home following parental intervention.
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; covers student protests and supports family reunions before leaving with Josh after his father's illness.
17 April	Ray MacKinnon	Christopher Burke	Parents of Gemma MacKinnon, persuaded by Shelley Sutherland to allow their expelled daughter home.
	Carmel MacKinnon	Meredith O'Reilly
19 April – 16 July	Aimee Cooper	Rhianna Griffith	Appears at drop-in centre for orienteering event; befriends Hayley Smith but overstays her welcome resulting in departure; background includes loss of father and abandonment by mother.
23 April – 8 May	Ryan Anderson	Damien Fowler	School youth subjected to bullying whom Donald Fisher reaches out to support.
23 May	Captain Ellis	Christopher Galletti	Captain of the Mirgini cruise ship during Summer Bay'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 of Vinnie Patterson; briefly dates Brodie Hanson before departing town following a tragedy involving Charlotte Adams.
1–27 August	Jason Edwards	Benj Daddario	Ex-husband of Kelli Edwards who harasses her and assaults Alex Poulos; hospitalized after an attack by Jesse McGregor; later reported for theft by Kelli.
27 August – 6 September	Bernadette	Celia Ireland	Manager of Yabbie Creek RSL club who awards Colleen Smart a jackpot prize.
17 October–3 July 2003	Mikey Dunn	Trent Atkinson	Autistic student at Summer Bay High who befriends Seb Miller and teacher Sally Fletcher; departs after year-end dance but returns for Sally’s wedding and employment before leaving again.
17 October–3 July 2003	Mrs Dunn	Susan Kennedy	Mikey Dunn’s mother.
17 October	Kelvin Matthews	James Donnellan	Gym patron at surf club who makes unwanted advances toward Hayley Smith; assaulted by Jesse McGregor who faces charges as a consequence.
17–25 October	Tara	Rebecca Murphy	Former friend of Sally Fletcher asked to be a surrogate mother; plan ends when she reveals past trauma; reconnects with family then leaves town.
6–12 November	Grigg	Amos Szeps	Former cellmate of Jesse McGregor who blackmails Jesse and takes hostages before fleeing in Donald Fisher’s car; discovered dead days later.