Tasha Andrews
Tasha Hunter | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Natasha "Tasha" Hunter, Tasha Andrews |
| Occupation | Fictional character |
| Known for | Home and Away |
Natasha "Tasha" Hunter (also known as Andrews) is a fictional persona featured in the Australian television soap Home and Away, portrayed by actress Isabel Lucas. Her first appearance was on 31 July 2003, and she exited the show on 10 October 2006.
Tasha enters Summer Bay as a confused young woman who initially communicates exclusively in Pig Latin. Raised by adoptive parents who were survivalists, she quickly forms friendships with Max Sutherland (Sebastian Elmaloglou), Flynn Saunders (Joel McIlroy), and Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie). Her major plotlines include a romantic involvement and eventual marriage to Robbie Hunter (Jason Smith), the quest to find her biological parents—Angie Russell (Laurie Foell) and Ian Osbourne (Andrew McFarlane)—and her entanglement with a cult named The Believers, led by Mumma Rose (Linden Wilkinson) and Jonah Abraham (James Mitchell). After giving birth, Tasha becomes pregnant and is held captive by Mumma Rose.
Casting
Isabel Lucas joined the cast in 2003 after being discovered during a vacation by talent scout Sharron Meissner. Although she was encouraged to audition for the role of Kit Hunter, which was eventually given to Amy Mizzi, Series Producer Julie McGuaran specifically created the character of Tasha for Lucas. This opportunity required her to move from Melbourne to Sydney, where the series is filmed.
Lucas described the role as substantial for a newcomer and valued the intense filming schedule, commenting, "It can get quite hectic at times... but when we have to start shooting at dawn, it really hits me... I just step outside to see the sunrise at Palm Beach and think 'Wow, this is my workplace'." She attributed her casting to a combination of destiny and her own confidence.
Background
Tasha was born to Angie Russell (Laurie Foell) following a brief encounter with affluent Ian Osbourne (Andrew McFarlane). Ian compensated Angie financially, after which she placed Tasha for adoption with survivalists Mike and Jenny Andrews, who raised her preparing for Y2K. Following their deaths while defending their camp, Tasha experienced trauma and fled.
2003–06
Max Sutherland (Sebastian Elmaloglou) spots Tasha on the beach; initially, she avoids contact. After sustaining an injury, Flynn Saunders (Joel McIlroy) treats her but struggles until he realizes she speaks Pig Latin. Tasha forms a bond with Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger), who helps soothe her. Flashbacks reveal that Tasha was once held hostage by Kane and Scott Phillips during a robbery. Irene learns Tasha’s name, and she begins acquiring English.
At the local high school, Kit Hunter supports Tasha’s integration. Flynn discovers that Angie is Tasha’s birth mother, which shocks Irene and Max due to Angie’s troubled history with the Sutherlands. When Irene attempts to protect Tasha from this truth, Tasha runs away but later befriends Kit’s brother Robbie after saving him from a snakebite; they share a kiss.
Kim Hyde (Chris Hemsworth) arrives in Summer Bay and develops friendships with both Tasha and Robbie, creating a brief love triangle that resolves peacefully. Duncan Stewart exposes Angie’s true character through an old videotape. Tasha finds concealed money and firearms in the bushland and pays Duncan off to keep her father’s identity secret. She uses the remaining funds to buy gifts for friends, which they refuse.
After tension arises with Irene, Tasha seeks out her father Ian Osbourne, who tests her loyalty and offers her a choice between city life or remaining in Summer Bay; she opts for the latter. She meets her half-brother Dylan (Brett Hicks-Maitland) and Angie’s cousin Josie (Laurie Foell), developing close ties despite Irene’s concerns.
Tasha and Robbie consummate their relationship but face difficulties when Robbie experiences an HIV scare after stepping on a needle, causing him to distance himself from both Kim and Tasha. Disillusioned by Josie’s betrayal of Jesse McGregor (Ben Unwin), Tasha later becomes involved with The Believers cult. The cult leader Mumma Rose (Linden Wilkinson) designates Tasha as the chosen one to bear the child of Jonah Abraham (James Mitchell). After being drugged and becoming pregnant, it is revealed that Jonah is sterile; nonetheless, Tasha gives birth to a daughter named Ella.
Initially struggling with motherhood, Tasha's perspective shifts following Ella’s kidnapping by Mumma Rose. After Robbie is found guilty—but not imprisoned—for his grandfather Graham Walters’ murder, Josie invites Tasha, Robbie, and Ella to join her in Boston, where they depart together.
Reception
Lucas received the Most Popular New Female Talent award at the 2004 Logie Awards for her portrayal of Tasha. Brian Courtis from the Sunday Age referred to Tasha as a "Blonde Princess" in anticipation of her marriage to Robbie.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Catholic Priest Toby Sherring expressed disapproval of the plotline in which Mumma Rose convinces Tasha to become involved with the Believers. He argued that such depictions perpetuate the stereotype of churches functioning as cults that manipulate impressionable youth, making these portrayals more credible but ultimately less appealing.