Pete Sutherland (Home and Away character)

Home and Away

Company type	Television soap opera
Industry	Television production
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. The characters introduced in 2002 were all introduced under the guidance of Series Producer Julie McGuaran. The show's fifteenth season started broadcasting on 14 January 2002. In January, Sebastian Elmaloglou made his debut as Max Sutherland, followed by Rhett Giles joining the cast as Paris Burnett in April. September saw the arrival of Laurie Foell portraying Deputy Principal Angie Russell, with her son Dylan (Brett Hicks-Maitland) introduced in October.

Max Sutherland

Max Sutherland, played by Sebastian Elmaloglou, first appeared on-screen on 21 January 2002 and exited the series on 1 September 2004. Prior to this role, Elmaloglou had guest appearances in several television programs, including GP, but Max marked his first regular character. He described Max as "very cheeky," contrasting with his own personality. Around the time of his debut, Elmaloglou watched past episodes of Home and Away featuring his sister, Rebekah Elmaloglou, who portrayed Sophie Simpson.

Max arrives in Summer Bay accompanied by his father, Pete (Christopher Mayer), to live with his uncle Rhys (Michael Beckley) and aunt Shelley (Paula Forrest). When Pete escapes to Hong Kong to avoid gambling debts, Max’s stay becomes permanent. Although initially facing difficulties adapting, he quickly forms a friendship with caravan resident Colleen Smart (Lyn Collingwood) and frequently finds himself in trouble at school alongside his cousin Kirsty (Christie Hayes). Max assists Colleen in authoring a book under the pseudonym "Maxine Peterson," which leads to a romantic triangle involving Tamara Simpson (Sophie Luck) and Caitlin (Bree Beadman), both of whom eventually exit his life.

Max develops a bond with confused newcomer Tasha Andrews (Isabel Lucas) and becomes emotionally involved with new student Eloise Lennox (Suzanne McEachern), who reveals she is suffering from terminal leukaemia. Max supports Eloise through her final days; after going on a date, she passes away in his arms. He honors her memory by creating a tribute in an abandoned mineshaft that later collapses. Rhys, Kirsty, and Jade (Kate Garven) come to rescue him, and all are saved.

Following Rhys’s divorce from Shelley and subsequent remarriage to Beth Hunter (Clarissa House), Max faces challenges interacting with Beth’s younger children, twins Henry (Tobi Atkins) and Matilda (Indiana Evans), who initially clash with the Sutherlands. A boxing match arranged by Principal Barry Hyde (Ivar Kants) between Max and Henry—won by Henry—helps them forge a friendship. Max briefly expresses romantic interest in Matilda but is rejected. As tensions grow within the family due to Rhys’s reconciliation with Shelley, Max feels alienated and betrayed. Although offered a place to live with them in the city, he opts instead for boarding school.

Elmaloglou received a nomination for "Best Young Actor" at the 2004 Inside Soap Awards for his portrayal of Max. 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, highlighting his involvement in love triangles, boxing matches, and dramatic incidents within less than three years on the program. Conversely, Inside Soap critiqued the storyline involving Max and Eloise’s terminal illness for reusing plot elements previously seen with characters Blake Dean and Meg Bowman.

Paris Burnett

Paris Burnett, played by Rhett Giles, made his debut on 29 April 2002 and exited the series on 10 September 2003. Prior to joining Home and Away, Giles appeared on All Saints, filmed nearby at the Seven Network, to which he returned after his stint on the show.

Paris arrives in Summer Bay as the new principal of Summer Bay High, taking over from Donald Fisher, who had been suspended due to a departmental scheme aimed at shutting down the school. He quickly bonds with Irene Roberts, as they share similar experiences, including the loss of former partners. Paris plays a crucial role in preventing the school's closure after Brett Egan provides him with evidence exposing the department’s failings. Although Paris and Irene develop a closer relationship, complications arise when Donald is reinstated and Irene hesitates to pursue a romance with Paris given his plans to leave.

During the 150th anniversary celebration of Summer Bay aboard the Mirgini, Paris and Irene become stranded in a storm and share a kiss. Once rescued, they begin dating despite disapproval from Irene’s foster son, Nick Smith, who considers Paris too young for her. Paris is later offered a position in Orange but returns briefly to say goodbye to Irene.

Several months later, Paris comes back to replace Donald following his retirement, which causes friction with Angie Russell, who expected to be promoted. He encourages Irene to reconcile with him despite Nick’s ongoing resentment. As Irene battles depression, their relationship strengthens again. However, Paris must depart after his brother and sister-in-law perish in a car accident, leaving him responsible for their orphaned children. He invites Irene to join him in caring for them, but she declines. Their parting is marked by a final kiss before Paris leaves Summer Bay.

Angie Russell

Angela "Angie" Russell, portrayed by Laurie Foell, first appeared on 26 September 2002 and exited on 21 March 2003, with a subsequent ghostly appearance in 2004. The revelation of 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 recognition as one of "The 50 most evil soap villains of all time" by What's on TV. Her intense storyline was acknowledged for significantly enhancing viewer engagement and contributing to dynamic plot development.

Dylan Russell

Dylan Russell, enacted by Adelaide native Brett Hicks-Maitland, debuted on 8 October 2002 and left in 2003, returning briefly in 2004. A graduate of NIDA, Hicks-Maitland moved to Sydney to advance his acting career and secured an extended role following producer interest. His portrayal of Dylan remained memorable well beyond his departure.

Characterized as a mature yet developing 17-year-old with notable attractiveness and empathy, Dylan was designed for long-term casting by portraying younger roles. Official profiles emphasized his social confidence paired with a somewhat solitary demeanor and sharp intelligence.

Dylan arrives in Summer Bay after his mother Angie becomes Deputy Principal. He begins dating Kirsty Sutherland, but Angie disapproves—especially after revealing that Rhys Sutherland, Kirsty’s father, might also be Dylan’s biological father—temporarily ending their relationship. While Dylan grows close to the Sutherland family, he distances himself due to Angie’s increasing instability and manipulative tendencies.

A boating accident requiring Dylan to have a blood transfusion reveals he is not biologically related to the Sutherlands; feeling betrayed yet accepted by the family nonetheless. Attempts to revive his relationship with Kirsty fail. Recognizing Angie’s mental health struggles, Dylan plans to leave town with her for treatment; however, an argument leads to Angie’s accidental death caused by Dylan. He is arrested but ultimately found not guilty at trial.

Following the trial, Dylan reconnects with half-sister Tasha Andrews and searches for Angie's lookalike cousin Josie Russell in the city during Tasha’s disappearance. The episode featuring Dylan’s confession earned a nomination for an Australian Writer's Guild Award in 2004.

Others

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Context
21 January – 13 March	Pete Sutherland	Christopher Mayer	Pete, sibling of Rhys Sutherland and father to Max, arrives to visit family but departs abruptly due to gambling debts, leaving Max in the care of Rhys and Shelley.
22–24 January	Brian Alcott	Richard Healy	Brian, father of Miles Alcott, attends the coroner's inquest concerning his son's death. He reconciles with Alex Poulos and advises him not to let the tragedy define his future.
23 January	Mrs. Alcott	Uncredited	The mother of Miles Alcott is present at his inquest.
5–13 February	Justin Bell	Mitchell Eirth	After being expelled by his mother Maggie for violent behavior, Justin resides at a drop-in centre. Following conflicts and allegations against Flynn Saunders, Maggie attempts blackmail but fails.
5 February – 1 April	Patricia Morgan	Gennie Nevinson	The principal of Reefton Lakes High School, Patricia opposes Summer Bay High over proposed closures. She offers a misleading plan favoring her institution; her son Ethan supports Summer Bay's cause.
6 February – 8 March	Maggie Bell	Helen O'Connor	Mother of Justin Bell who searches for her son and unsuccessfully tries to blackmail Flynn Saunders.
11 February – 12 April	Grace O'Connor	Mary Docker	Nurse at Northern Districts Hospital caring for Justin Bell and Nick Smith; briefly dates Nathan Roberts before departing the area.
18–20 February	Mr Atkins	David Webb	Legal representative for Vinnie Patterson during his fraud trial; defense is unsuccessful.
19 February	Greg West	Dane Carson	Father of Josh West; encourages university attendance and later requests Josh manage his businesses due to health issues.
20 February	Governor Williamson	Alistair Duncan	Oversees Vinnie Patterson's trial and sentences him to two years in prison.
21 February – 8 April	Ethan Morgan	Ben Connolly	Student leader at Reefton Lakes High who organizes protests against school closures and leads a sit-in; he is arrested but released without charges.
25 February	Jenny Latham	Fiona Hepburn	Parole officer aiding 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' funeral, a nurses' strike, and being falsely accused of murder before exoneration.
27 February – 21 March	Christopher "Kick" Johnson	Jason Clarke	Exchange teacher from Reefton Lakes High whose casual approach conflicts with Donald Fisher; departs following a bus accident involving his class.
7 March – 6 September	Kelli Edwards	Alyssa-Jane Cook	Local baker supplying Beachside Diner; ends relationship with Alex Poulos due to harassment from ex-husband Jason Edwards.
12 March – 17 April	Jemma MacKinnon	Thea Gumbert	Hairdresser and friend of Kirsty Sutherland; experiences family difficulties and 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; involved in various family-related storylines including locating Rhys Sutherland.
17 April	Ray MacKinnon	Christopher Burke	Parent of Gemma MacKinnon who is persuaded by Shelley Sutherland to allow their daughter to return home.
	Carmel MacKinnon	Meredith O'Reilly
19 April – 16 July	Aimee Cooper	Rhianna Griffith	Appears at the drop-in centre; creates tension among peers before departing town amid revelations about her troubled background.
23 April – 8 May	Ryan Anderson	Damien Fowler	Bullied youth connected with Donald Fisher.
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 involved briefly with Brodie Hanson; leaves after tragedy affects Charlotte Adams.
1–27 August	Jason Edwards	Benj Daddario	Kelli Edwards' ex-husband who harasses her and is confronted by Alex Poulos and Jesse McGregor; later hospitalized and reported for theft.
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 befriending Seb Miller and teacher Sally Fletcher; leaves after the end-of-year dance but returns briefly for Sally's wedding and job before departing again.
17 October–3 July 2003	Mrs Dunn	Susan Kennedy	Mikey's mother.
17 October	Kelvin Matthews	James Donnellan	Gym customer at surf club who makes unwanted advances toward Hayley Smith; assaulted by Jesse McGregor who faces charges afterward.
17–25 October	Tara	Rebecca Murphy	Former friend of Sally Fletcher asked to act as surrogate; leaves after reconnecting with family following personal loss.
6–12 November	Grigg	Amos Szeps	Ex-cellmate of Jesse McGregor who blackmails him, takes hostages, then flees; later found deceased in Donald Fisher's car.