Lena Ascot
Riley Hawkins
Riley Hawkins, brought to life by Ryan O'Kane, made his first appearance on 31 January 2017. Introduced as a surgeon working at Northern Districts Hospital and as Tori Morgan's (Penny McNamee) former partner, Riley's presence stirs both professional and personal dynamics. He performs surgery on Justin Morgan (James Stewart (Australian actor)), Tori's brother, which intensifies tensions, especially with Nate Cooper (Kyle Pryor), who harbors jealousy due to Riley's previous relationship with Tori.
Riley aims to revive his romance with Tori but encounters difficulties stemming from their history and her family responsibilities. In an attempt to discredit Nate professionally, he tampers with medical records, a move that ultimately leads Tori to end their relationship. Following escalating conflicts, including a physical fight with Justin, Riley chooses to resign from his position at the hospital and departs from the storyline.
Scarlett Snow
Scarlett Snow, portrayed by Tania Nolan, was introduced on 8 May 2017. At the time of casting, Nolan was based in Los Angeles and traveled to Sydney for a screen test before securing a six-month contract. She described Scarlett as "somewhat enigmatic" with a sorrowful past, which influenced her decision to accept the role and relocate to Sydney.
Within the narrative, Scarlett becomes involved with Brody Morgan (Jackson Heywood), who is evading law enforcement due to his struggle with drug addiction. After an initial confrontation, Scarlett assists Brody in reconnecting with his family and offers him support, including temporary accommodation. When her landlord asks her to vacate, Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) steps in by providing her a caravan and employment at his bait shop.
Scarlett encounters threats from Bruno Addlen (Johnny Nasser), who was hired by her estranged husband Caleb Snow to extort money in exchange for keeping her whereabouts confidential. With help from Brody’s family, she manages to settle the debt. She also develops a close bond with Justin Morgan’s daughter and reveals that her son Max passed away a year earlier—a loss that profoundly impacts her.
Her relationship with Justin Morgan (James Stewart) progresses despite challenges, including Justin’s initial reluctance due to lingering feelings for his former fiancée. They eventually pursue a relationship but face complications when Caleb reenters Scarlett’s life. A traumatic event at a cabin forces Scarlett to confront the complexities of her situation, leading her to decide to leave the Bay alongside Caleb.
Ziggy Astoni
Ziggy Astoni, played by Sophie Dillman, first appeared on 20 June 2017. She is the eldest child of Ben and Maggie Astoni, representing the first nuclear family introduced on the show in 17 years. Ziggy is portrayed as a "rebellious teenager" and "wild child," positioned as a potential romantic interest for Brody Morgan.
Ben Astoni
Ben Astoni, enacted by Rohan Nichol, also debuted on 20 June 2017. Nichol relocated from Melbourne to Manly to be near the filming location at Palm Beach. Ben arrives in Summer Bay along with his wife Maggie and daughters Coco and Ziggy. The Astoni family marks the first new nuclear family introduced since 2000. Nichol describes Ben as devoted, affectionate, and relatable—a character viewers would enjoy sharing a drink with.
Maggie Astoni
Maggie Astoni, brought to life by Kestie Morassi, made her first appearance on 21 June 2017. Morassi's involvement was disclosed in early 2017, with specifics about her character unveiled on 4 June. She remarked on the rapid filming pace, which differed significantly from her previous film work. Maggie relocates to Summer Bay alongside her spouse Ben Astoni (Rohan Nichol) and their daughters Coco (Anna Cocquerel) and Ziggy Astoni (Sophie Dillman). The Astoni family represents the first traditional nuclear family introduced to the series since the Sutherlands in 2000.
Coco Astoni
Coco Astoni, portrayed by Anna Cocquerel, debuted on 21 June 2017 as the youngest child of Ben and Maggie Astoni. Their arrival signified the return of a complete nuclear family to the show after a 17-year gap. Coco’s narrative includes facing suspension from school due to cyberbullying, which prompts the family’s move to Summer Bay. She forms a friendship with Raffy Morrison (Olivia Deeble) and becomes romantically involved with VJ Patterson, experiencing typical adolescent issues.
In December 2018, Cocquerel reduced her filming commitments to focus on completing Year 12, balancing academic responsibilities alongside acting.
Coco faces an eating disorder triggered by bullying and familial stress. After experiencing fainting spells, she is hospitalized and reveals she has bulimia. Her relationships evolve as she befriends Ryder Jackson (Lukas Radovich), briefly dates him, and supports her sister Ziggy’s engagement to Brody Morgan (Jackson Heywood). Although Maggie initially opposes it, Coco eventually departs for boarding school in Cairns.
She later returns for Raffy's birthday, confronting family turmoil linked to Brody’s infidelity before heading back to boarding school.
Robbo
Robbo (also known as John Doe), enacted by Jake Ryan, first appeared on 25 July 2017. To prepare for the role, Ryan lost 13 kg. The character was designed to fill the "heart-throb gap" left by Darryl Braxton (Stephen Peacocke). Robbo is introduced as a handyman, Australian Federal Police (AFP) agent, and gym owner with a complicated background involving several aliases such as Beckett Reid and Ryan Shaw. His character was written off in early 2020.
Robbo initially appears suffering from amnesia while hiding on a boat in Summer Bay. He receives support from local residents including Alf Stewart and Constable Kat Chapman, who aids his recovery from head trauma. Despite efforts to piece together his history—using tattoo clues connected to a woman named Rose—Robbo grapples with his identity and links to criminal activities. Following violent incidents and discoveries, he uncovers his true identity as Ryan Shaw and that he had been undercover for the AFP to safeguard Kat and investigate his family’s murderers.
After standing trial for offenses committed under his alias, Robbo is suddenly taken by the AFP and informed of his genuine role as an officer whose records were erased for protection purposes. He returns to Summer Bay with renewed determination but chooses not to rejoin the AFP, instead acquiring the local gym. His personal life becomes entwined with Jasmine Delaney; they develop a romantic relationship, become engaged, but encounter difficulties including Tori Morgan’s IVF pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage.
Robbo’s storyline culminates in marriage to Jasmine before further AFP intervention ensures their safety. Efforts to recover suppressed memories through hypnotherapy lead to additional plot twists. Ultimately, Robbo dies due to complications following surgery after a car accident but appears posthumously in Jasmine's dream.
This narrative arc explores themes of identity crises, covert operations, and intricate personal relationships within a close-knit community environment, reflecting deliberate character development aimed at captivating target audiences and maintaining viewer engagement across multiple seasons.
Jennifer Dutton
Jennifer Dutton, brought to life by Brittany Santariga, made her first appearance on 27 July 2017. Santariga's involvement was confirmed in June 2017 while filming took place at Palm Beach, New South Wales. Introduced as a high school student, Jennifer initially acted as an antagonist towards Coco Astoni but later evolved into a romantic interest for Hunter King, capturing significant viewer interest.
Jennifer's narrative featured confrontations with Coco Astoni and her peers, including episodes of bullying and manipulation. She exerted pressure on Coco regarding an eating disorder to arrange a date with VJ Patterson, which heightened tensions within their group. Additionally, Jennifer had a detrimental impact on Raffy Morrison by promoting underage alcohol consumption.
Her character growth was marked through interactions with various central characters: she shared a flirtatious encounter with Mason Morgan; offered support to Hunter King following his breakup; and ultimately began dating Hunter, creating conflict with Olivia Fraser Richards. Jennifer's rebellious nature peaked when she ran away to live with Hunter but, after being evicted by Alf Stewart and facing homelessness, she returned to her father Nick.
Throughout her storyline, Jennifer’s character explored themes of adolescent conflict, romantic relationships, and personal challenges within the Summer Bay community.
Beth Ellis
Elizabeth "Beth" Ellis, portrayed by Anneliese Apps, first appeared on 31 August 2017. Apps landed the role five months after completing her studies at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Although initially uncertain about her audition performance, she was cast and described Beth’s storyline as deeply "moving." Apps depicted Beth as "cheeky," "multi-dimensional," and "quirky," emphasizing her inclination to support those around her. Beth was introduced as a love interest for Mason Morgan (Pledger), with Apps explaining that Beth’s motivation to assist Mason stemmed from recognizing aspects of herself in him.
While at the hospital, Beth overhears Mason expressing frustration about his paralysis and, pretending to be a nurse, encourages him to participate in wheelchair races. Their relationship progresses until Mason discovers Beth is actually a patient awaiting a heart transplant due to cardiomyopathy. Beth admits enjoying the nurse disguise as it helped her avoid sympathy, leading them to rebuild their friendship. She inspires Mason to forgive his brother Brody Morgan for the accident that caused his paralysis. Their bond strengthens through shared experiences such as matching tattoos and dates, culminating in Beth becoming Mason’s girlfriend.
Beth’s father, Alan Ellis (Blair McDonough), unaware of their relationship, warns Mason to keep his distance from her. After confronting her father, Beth collapses and is hospitalized; her condition deteriorates, necessitating a stent and advancing her on the transplant waiting list. Mason remains by her side throughout this ordeal, even presenting her with a promise ring during an outing. Tragically, Beth suffers a fatal arrhythmia and passes away shortly thereafter. Following the funeral, Mason experiences a vision of Beth encouraging him to continue living his life.
Ryder Jackson
Ryder Jackson, brought to life by Lukas Radovich, made his first appearance on 25 October 2017, with the casting revealed two days earlier. Radovich landed this role shortly after completing his studies at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, marking his initial foray into acting. Ryder is introduced as the son of Quinn Jackson (Lara Cox) and the grandson of Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher). His early narrative arc includes breaking into the Surf Club and attempting to steal from Hunter King (Scott Lee) and VJ Patterson (Matt Little), which ultimately exposes his familial link to Alf Stewart. His unwillingness to provide Quinn’s contact information raises concerns with his aunt Roo Stewart (Georgie Parker), who fears he may have run away.
Willow Harris
Willow Harris (also known as Ranger), portrayed by Sarah Roberts, debuted on 14 November 2017. Prior to securing this role, Roberts auditioned for the characters Kat Chapman and Scarlett Snow. She traveled from Melbourne to Sydney for a chemistry test alongside James Stewart, who plays Justin Morgan. Roberts described Willow as a "strong female character" defined by her independence, loyalty, and fierceness, injecting "mischief and a bit of trouble" into Summer Bay. Willow is portrayed as a "bad girl" who makes difficult choices motivated by love for those close to her. She quickly becomes romantically involved with Justin Morgan.
Jasmine Delaney
Jasmine Delaney, enacted by Sam Frost, first appeared on 18 December 2017. Frost’s casting was announced on 17 July 2017 following an invitation to audition while she was featured on Hell's Kitchen Australia. Despite facing tough competition, she secured the part on her second audition. Frost called the role a dream come true and noted it as her acting debut. Her casting attracted criticism from some actors who considered it a publicity stunt. Jasmine’s storyline opens with a car accident that results in the death of Kat Chapman, portrayed by Pia Miller. Frost described Jasmine as "guarded," exhibiting "anxious energy," concealing secrets and a "dark past."
Additional Characters
| Date(s) | Character | Actor | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 January–23 November | Luc Patterson |
|
Luc is the daughter of Billie Ashford and Mick Jennings, conceived following Mick’s assault on Billie. Billie allows VJ Patterson, her boyfriend, to believe he is Luc’s father until their wedding day. After Luc’s birth and escaping a bushfire, VJ and Billie name her Luc. Mick abducts Luc but later hands her over to his mother Irene Roberts, who returns her to Billie. Billie dies from terminal cancer while holding Luc. VJ faces challenges over custody; Luc initially lives with Irene before Ash Ashford gains temporary guardianship. Luc experiences bowel torsion and septicaemia but recovers post-surgery. Mick returns but acknowledges he cannot care for Luc; after custody disputes, VJ takes her abroad to Cyprus. |
| 1 February– | Constable Corelli | Nick Cain | Corelli aids Kat Chapman in investigating an arson case and later discovers CCTV footage showing Robbo being held at gunpoint by Dylan Carter. |
| 2 February | Lactation Consultant | Gail Knight | Provides support to Billie Ashford in breastfeeding her newborn daughter. |
| 23 February–1 May | Ambulance Officer | Rob Baird | Transports John Palmer after a seizure and Zac MacGuire following a fall; informs Tori Morgan about Zac’s head injury. |
| 27 February–8 May | Patrick Stanwood | Luke McKenzie | Patrick, believed dead brother of Billie and Ash, reappears suffering from PTSD. He moves in with Kat Chapman and clashes with Ash over custody of Luc. Following a near-fatal event, Patrick commits to treatment and develops a bond with Luc. |
| 7 March–15 August | Lena Ascot | Felicity McKay | A university student involved in drug dealing at Salt bar; briefly works as a waitress but is dismissed due to drug use. Has a short relationship with Brody Morgan and is later questioned by police regarding drug sales. |
| 7 March | Byron | Benjamin Winckle | Encourages Olivia Fraser Richards to attend social gatherings; has conflicts with Hunter King over Olivia. |
| 9 March | Local Woman | Meagan Caratti | Together with Local Man, confronts John Palmer about fires he started; Marilyn Chambers defends John. |
| Local Man | James Caitlin | ||
| 13 March–18 April | Jess Kearney | Jess Bush | Meets Olivia Fraser Richards for study sessions; interacts with Hunter King and attends Olivia’s birthday party. |
| 21 March | Cal Whitman | Craig Scott | Resident displaced by bushfire caused by John Palmer; appreciates John’s apology and offer of assistance. |
| 22 March, 6 December | Terry Diamond | Rob Flanagan | Restaurant critic who initially clashes with Brody Morgan but later acknowledges his talent. |
| 29 March–3 April | Donna Fields | Melissa Bonne | Musician friend of Phoebe Nicholson who criticizes Phoebe’s lifestyle change; invites her on a U.S. tour. |
| 29 March–29 August | Lachlan Piers | Warwick Allsopp | Lawyer representing John Palmer who advises using an insane automatism defense; later updates Ben Astoni about pier planning application status. |
| 29 March–20 April | James Mayvers | Tim Ross | Roo Stewart’s boyfriend from Hawaii; involved in storyline concerning pregnancy including disagreements over termination and miscarriage. |
| 3 April–30 August | William Zannis | Caleb Alloway | Drug dealer linked to Brody Morgan’s addiction; involved in violent confrontations and kidnapping plot targeting Ziggy Astoni and Brody. |
External links
- Cast and characters on the Official AU Home and Away site
- Cast and characters at the Internet Movie Database
- Ben Astoni featured on the Official AU Home and Away platform
- Coco Astoni listed on the Official AU Home and Away website
- Ziggy Astoni available at the Official AU Home and Away portal