Tracey Turner
| Industry | Television |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Television soap opera |
Josh Webb
Josh Webb, brought to life by Erik Mitsak, made his first appearance on 7 February 1991 as Home and Away's resident "troublemaker." Known as a "jailbird" out on bail attempting to turn over a new leaf, Josh is characterized as a "fast talker" with sharp street smarts and a history of crimes such as car theft and various cons. Despite his innocent appearance, he often deceives and manipulates his mother Gerry (Julie Godfrey) to achieve his goals.
Josh is the elder sibling of Rachel Webb (Beth Champion). He develops a friendship with Rachel’s boyfriend Blake Dean (Les Hill) and invites Blake, Rachel’s sister Karen Dean (Belinda Jarrett), along with other friends to a party that culminates in a drug-related police raid. Discovering Blake and Rachel’s relationship, Josh assaults Blake, leading Adam Cameron (Mat Stevenson) to step in. Subsequently, Josh falsely accuses Adam of theft but is ultimately unmasked and incarcerated.
Upon release, Josh feigns reform and entices Blake and Adam on a camping trip with the intention of murdering them. The plan fails, resulting in his rearrest and return to prison. Mitsak departed from the series in early 1992, with his character’s exit occurring off-screen.
Cynthia Ross
Cynthia Ross, portrayed by Belinda Giblin, was introduced on 11 February 1991. Giblin’s casting along with the character was revealed in the 29 December 1990 edition of TV Week. Cynthia arrives as the mother of Haydn Ross (Andrew Hill) and former spouse of Michael Ross (Dennis Coard). She comes to Summer Bay with the intent to disrupt Michael’s relationship with Pippa Fletcher (Debra Lawrence). Haydn attempts to reconcile his parents, but when these efforts fail, he runs away. After returning, Cynthia takes Haydn back to the city for several weeks. Her final appearance occurred on 6 March 1991.
Nick Parrish
Nick Parrish, enacted by Bruce Roberts, first appeared on 4 March 1991. Roberts was cast just one day after completing drama school. He exited the show in 1994 to relocate to the UK alongside his girlfriend, Suzanne Dando. Roberts received significant fan correspondence from British viewers, including an unusual letter from a woman named "Kate" stating, "Dear Nick, We will be married next week, Kate."
Sam Marshall
Sam Marshall, played by Ryan Clark, debuted on 3 April 1991. Clark was seven years old when cast and balanced filming three days per week alongside school commitments supported by an on-set tutor. He left the series in 2000 to explore other opportunities but returned in 2005 for the celebration of the show’s 4000th episode. Glenn Wheeler from The Morning Show recognized Sam as part of one of Australian television’s most cherished families over a decade. The character drew a strong teenage female following, with MSN naming Clark among Australia’s '90s teen heartthrobs.
Julie Gibson
Julie Gibson, portrayed by Naomi Watts, made her debut on 23 April 1991. Her casting was announced in TV Week on 16 March 1991. To prepare for the role of Julie—a paraplegic due to a previous car accident—Watts spent several weeks using a wheelchair. Julie’s storyline focuses on her romantic involvement with Nick Parrish (Bruce Roberts), which creates friction with her brother Revhead (Gavin Harrison), who disapproves because Nick is a police officer. Eventually, they end their relationship amicably, agreeing they are better off as friends.
After the death of her father, Alec (David Baldwyn), and following her breakup with Nick, Julie chooses to leave Summer Bay for university in the city, asserting her independence despite Revhead’s objections. Watts later described her experience on the show as "six miserable weeks."
Lucinda Croft
Lucinda "Lou" Croft, brought to life by Dee Smart, made her first appearance on 13 June 1991 and departed in 1992. Smart, who had completed three years of drama studies in Sydney, landed her inaugural acting role through this character and initially committed to a two-year contract. Nevertheless, she exited the show after eight months. Mary Fletcher from Inside Soap praised Smart for transforming Lucinda into one of Home and Away's most beloved figures.
David Croft
David Croft, portrayed by Guy Pearce, was introduced on 19 July 1991. Filming commenced in May 1991, presenting David as Donald Fisher's nephew and Lucinda Croft's brother. His storyline spanned six weeks, concluding on 21 August 1991.
David arrives in Summer Bay aiming to mend his strained relationship with his sister Lucinda following a family dispute over a failed investment that jeopardized their parents' home. Donald Fisher acts as a mediator in their reconciliation. Subsequently, David embarks on a contentious romance with Sophie Simpson, whose foster parents oppose the relationship due to his age. After a period of separation, David plans to travel but tragically dies in a car accident caused by an oncoming vehicle driven by Karen Dean.
Following David's death, Sophie discovers she is pregnant and relocates near David’s mother in Perth. She later names her second child in honor of David.
Barbara Toner from the Sydney Morning Herald criticized David’s narrative as lacking engagement despite Pearce’s rising profile in film.
Channel 5 (UK) singled out the episode depicting David’s fatal crash as one of their top Home and Away installments.
Ryan Lee
Ryan Lee, enacted by Alistair MacDougall, made his debut on 22 August 1991 and last appeared on 27 November 1992. After departing, MacDougall revealed to Inside Soap that he would consider returning for a guest role if Ryan were written as an antagonist, stating, "I would have stayed longer before if the scripts had been good enough." An Inside Soap contributor described Ryan as a "wealthy troublemaker".
Finlay Roberts
Finlay Roberts, portrayed by Tina Thomsen, arrived on screen on 18 September 1991 and remained until 1994, with guest appearances in 1996 and 1997. Thomsen moved from Brisbane to Sydney during her teenage years to pursue the role. In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, she acknowledged her parents' encouragement but highlighted her own determination in chasing an acting career.
Greg Marshall
Greg Marshall, played by Ross Newton, first appeared on 20 September 1991. Newton left the series in 1993 and made a brief comeback in 2000. He regarded joining Home and Away as an important step amid its growing popularity. The Morning Show recognized Greg as part of one of Australian television’s most cherished families.
Simon Fitzgerald
Simon Fitzgerald, portrayed by Richard Norton, debuted on 25 September 1991 and exited on 24 July 1992. Norton joined Home and Away following a year-long stint on rival soap Neighbours. Brendon Williams of the Daily Mirror remarked that Norton was "a major success" as Simon.
Irene Roberts
Irene Roberts made her debut on 29 October, originally portrayed by Jacqui Phillips before Lynne McGranger assumed the role. McGranger received a nomination for "Funniest Performance" at the 2007 Inside Soap Awards. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Irene is considered one of the show's three enduring "legacy characters," alongside Alf and Colleen. Holy Soap identifies her most memorable event as "Being attacked by the mad ex-wife of her former lover Ken."
Damian Roberts
Damian Roberts, played by Matt Doran, first appeared on 6 November 1991. Doran was a regular cast member from 1992 until 1995, with guest roles continuing until 1996. In 1997 flashbacks, young Damian was portrayed by Ben Hamilton. Upon his return, Damian adopted dreadlocks, marking a change in his appearance. Doran became notably popular, especially among female viewers. Critics observed that Damian lacked significant romantic storylines and described him as "always going to be a loser."
Others
| Date(s) | Character | Actor | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15–16 January | Jack Cody | Colin Taylor | Interested in purchasing the Beach House but withdraws after discovering property complications and a financial scam. |
| 15–16 January | Helen Cody | Jan Adele | Jack Cody's partner involved in the potential Beach House acquisition. |
| 16 January | Peter | Scott Kelly | Friend of Pippa Fletcher who declines to buy a gypsy caravan intended for his children's home. |
| 21 January | Jake Wood | Frankie Davidson | Neighbor interested in acquiring an old gypsy caravan; completes trade with a goat instead of money. |
| 22 January | Postmaster Bagley | Ron Gaist | Responsible for distributing Year 12 HSC results, confirming passes for key characters. |
| 30 January–7 April 1993 | Louise Scott | Elaine Hudson | Foster care department official managing cases including Sam Nicholls and Tracey Turner. |
| 4 February-28 March | Tony Clark | Rob Hunter | Real estate agent overseeing the sale of the Stewart store. |
| 6 February–17 April | Rachel Webb | Beth Champion | Dates Blake Dean; leaves Summer Bay following family issues and misunderstandings. |
| 8–27 February | Roy Jackson | Fredric Abbott | Local farmer leasing his land to Ben and Carly Lucini. |
| 8–14 February | Betty Jackson | Marie Armstrong | Encourages Carly Lucini to take charge of farm management. |
| 8 March–8 April | Gerry Webb | Julie Godfrey | Mother of Rachel and Josh Webb; opposes Rachel's romantic involvement and relocates after Josh's arrest. |
| 19 March–3 May | Mark Smith | Greg Hatton | Member of Summer Bay High's swim team; briefly dates Karen Dean. |
| 27 March–13 May | Rodney White | Lester Morris | Headmaster at Yabbie Creek High; antagonist to Donald Fisher; involved in school-related events and social interactions. |
| 27 March | Val White | May Howlett | Wife of Rodney White; experiences frustration during social occasions due to Rodney's preoccupations. |
| 11 April–18 July | Jackie Nicholls | Erica Williams | Mother unable to care adequately for her son Sam Nicholls, resulting in his foster placement with Bobby Simpson. |
| 18 April | Vet | Michael Beckley | Visits Ben and Carly Lucini's farm concerning poultry health issues. |
| 22 April | Smart Alec no.1 | Adam Garcia | Swim team member who mocks another student’s diving abilities. |
| 30 April | Celebrant | Carmel Mullin | Officiates the wedding ceremony of Michael Ross and Pippa Fletcher at Summer Bay House. |
| 30 April–1 May | Military Police | Leo Taylor, Timothy Sullivan | Arrest Ben Lucini for absence without leave during wedding reception; charges are subsequently dropped. |
| 8–21 May | Alec Gibson | David Baldwyn | Father of Revhead and Julie Gibson; passes away following a heart attack. |
| 10–24 May | Jean Chambers | Maggie Kirkpatrick | Marilyn Chambers' aunt who influences her search for birth parents before departing Summer Bay. |
| 22 May–21 June | Kenny Gibbs | David Field | Janitor who sells an old car to Blake Dean and Haydn Ross. |
| 20 June–3 July | Max Riley & Heather Riley | Bruce Venables & Lynne Porteous | Couple initially mistaken by Marilyn Chambers as her biological parents; leave after true parents arrive. |
| 5 June–11 July | Margaret Lynch | Gennie Nevinson | Year 11 personal development teacher with a troubled background; exits after unsettling students. |
| 5 June | Mrs Clifton & Stanley Clifton | Marianne Krogdahl & Brett Caroll | Initially misidentified by Marilyn Chambers as relatives; clarify they are not her biological family. |
| 7 June–10 July | Tracey Turner | Tania Martin | Foster child whose behavior causes conflict at home; transferred following a physical altercation with Sophie Simpson. |
| 2–3 July | George & Heather Davidson | Doug Scroope & Lynne Rainbow | Marilyn Chambers' biological parents who exploit her generosity before being rejected. |
| 23 July–14 August | Diane Robertson & Peter Mansell | Hanna McLeod & Troy O'Hearn | Schoolmates competing for attention at school and social events; their rivalry impacts Sally Fletcher's storyline. |
| 30 July–21 August | Constable Rogers | Dominic Purcell | Police officer involved in law enforcement activities including accident response and apprehending criminals. |
| 2 August–2 October | Martin Bradley & Lois Crawford | John Bonney & Tina Bursill | Educational administrators managing leadership transitions at Summer Bay High amid community opposition and controversy over teaching approaches. |
| 11–12 September | Isabelle Britton | Collette Roberts | Police officer briefly dating Nick Parrish to provoke jealousy in another character. |
| 3–9 October | Sharyn McKinley & Annette Hodges | Liza Witt & Kylle Hogart | Year 11 students engaged in social dynamics with Blake Dean and Simon Fitzgerald, leading to disciplinary consequences. |
| 6–28 November | Bill Fitzgerald | Terry Bader | Simon Fitzgerald's father involved in business dealings; departs town amid fraud accusations and later attempts reconciliation with Simon. |
| 14 November | Ian, Elaine, & Susie Gardiner, Andrew S. Gilbert, Lisabeth Kennely, Lauren Snell | Family experiencing domestic difficulties; police intervention triggers conflict involving community members. | |
| 19 November–19 June 1992 | Ruth Winston, Anna Phillips | Local physician attending Sophie Simpson’s pregnancy and childbirth, playing a pivotal role in health-related storylines. |
References
- Kercher, John. The Official Home and Away Annual. Grandreams Ltd, 1993. ISBN 0-86227-954-2
External links
- Cast and characters on the official Australian Home and Away site
- Cast and characters on the official UK Home and Away site
- Cast and characters at the Internet Movie Database