Pippa Saunders

Pippa Saunders
Occupation	Fictional character
Years active	2004–2008, 2013
Known for	Home and Away

Pippa Saunders is a character from the Australian television soap opera Home and Away. She made her first appearance on 4 June 2004 and was played by a total of twelve child actors, including Chloe Marshall starting in 2007. Her final regular episode aired on 2 April 2008, with her exit occurring off-screen the next day. Pippa reappeared on 15 July 2013, this time portrayed by Piper Morrissey. She is the daughter of Flynn Saunders (played by Joel McIlroy) and Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie).

Casting

Between 2004 and 2008, twelve young performers took on the role of Pippa: Riley Stevens, Anouk Povaly, Noah Fraser, Isabelle Bell-Dickson, Jessica Taylor Lorenzo, Mia and Leila Szczenpanik, Bojanna and Tameka Main, Phoebe and India Falconer, as well as Chloe Marshall.

Pippa’s return in 2013 saw Piper Morrissey cast to portray her alongside Sally Fletcher. Morrissey underwent two auditions and was initially unaware that the role was for Pippa. Prior to being cast, she was not a regular viewer of Home and Away, but developed a close working rapport with Kate Ritchie, describing their relationship as reminiscent of a mother-daughter bond.

2004–08

Pippa’s conception involved eggs that her mother Sally had preserved before undergoing a hysterectomy due to cancer. Sally’s friend Leah Patterson acted as the surrogate for Sally and her husband Flynn Saunders (Joel McIlroy). When Leah went into labor, her former partner Jesse drove her to the hospital while Sally and Flynn were initially absent. Leah gave birth to a daughter named Philippa, commonly called "Pippa," after Pippa Ross (Debra Lawrance).

A few years later, Flynn succumbs to cancer, leaving Pippa without a father figure until Sally begins dating Brad Armstrong (Chris Sadrinna). The family relocates to the Caravan Park with Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher). After Brad leaves Summer Bay, Pippa starts talking to him as though he were still present, causing concern for Sally but reflecting her own experiences with imaginary friends during childhood. While Alf moves his ute unaware that Pippa is following him, he accidentally strikes her. Following surgery, Sally decides to leave Summer Bay to travel with Pippa and Cassie Turner (Sharni Vinson)—eventually heading to Thailand.

2013

Five years later, Sally returns to Summer Bay accompanied by Pippa. Sally introduces Pippa to familiar locations such as the beach and school. Pippa forms a friendship with Darcy Callahan (Alea O'Shea). Noticing Pippa’s tiredness and memory troubles, Sally confides in Alf that Pippa suffers from Mitochondrial disease, which is terminal.

Pippa persuades Sally to allow her to attend Summer Bay High. Leah’s son VJ Patterson (Felix Dean) along with his friend Jett James (Will McDonald) learn about Pippa’s illness through school records and offer their support. Feeling hurt that Sally concealed the truth from her, Pippa refuses to communicate until honesty is restored.

After experiencing a seizure at school, Pippa is admitted to hospital. Sally wishes to take her to a clinic in the United States offering experimental treatment but lacks financial resources. A fundraiser organized by headteacher Bianca Scott (Lisa Gormley) and fiancé Heath Braxton (Dan Ewing), combined with a substantial anonymous donation from Darryl Braxton (Stephen Peacocke), secures the necessary funds. Alf’s daughter Roo (Georgie Parker) arranges a farewell party; although Alf is initially hesitant, he ultimately bids farewell to Pippa and Sally on the beach before they depart.

Reception

For her portrayal of Pippa, Chloe Marshall received a nomination for Best Young Actor at the 2008 Inside Soap Awards. James Joyce of the Newcastle Herald referred to Pippa as a "medical miracle." A reporter from the Daily Record described Pippa as a well-liked yet sporadically appearing character, emphasizing her role balancing work and motherhood alongside Sally's responsibilities as headmistress. They further suggested that following Sally’s prominence, the narrative focus was expected to turn toward Pippa. NowToLove.com included Pippa’s birth among the most emotionally impactful and unforgettable moments in Home and Away.

Concerning the plot in which Alf unintentionally strikes Pippa with his ute, a Daily Record journalist remarked on her limited screen presence and the intense drama surrounding her severe injury, highlighting Sally’s distress. This particular episode, centered on the consequences and Pippa’s hospital stay, led to writer Sam Meikle receiving a nomination for an Australian Writers' Guild Award in 2008.