VJ Patterson

VJ Patterson
Born	Vincent Alexandros Patterson, Jr.
Occupation	Fictional character
Years active	2001–2018, 2024
Known for	Home and Away

Vincent Alexandros "VJ" Patterson, Jr. is a character from the Australian television soap Home and Away. Since his introduction in 2001, VJ has been portrayed by multiple child actors, with Felix Dean playing the role from 2007 to 2014, before Matthew Little assumed the part. VJ made his first appearance on 30 November 2001 as the son of Leah Patterson (played by Ada Nicodemou) and Vinnie Patterson (played by Ryan Kwanten). After leaving the show in November 2017, he briefly appeared through recorded footage in February 2018. Matthew Little returned to portray VJ again in 2024 during Leah’s wedding to Justin Morgan (portrayed by James Stewart).

Casting

VJ was introduced on 30 November 2001 as the offspring of established characters Leah (Ada Nicodemou) and Vinnie Patterson (Ryan Kwanten). Over time, eleven actors have embodied VJ, including Carlo Teodorowych, Jack Monger, Max Theoharis, Marcus Spinetti, Jack Riddle, Harry and James Roberts, Nicholas and Cameron Stevens, and Cooper Scott. In 2007, Felix Dean was cast in the role; Nicodemou described him as a "surrogate son," highlighting Leah’s close connection with VJ. She also noted her fondness for every actor who has taken on the character.

In May 2014, Nicodemou announced that after Dean completed filming earlier that year and the character temporarily exited the screen, VJ would be recast. Matthew Little was introduced as the new actor for VJ, with producers aiming for an older interpretation of the character. Little’s casting was confirmed on 31 August 2014; he joined shortly after appearing on rival soap Neighbours. He mentioned that landing this role was a welcome opportunity during a period of unemployment.

Father figures

Initial story arcs involving VJ focused heavily on his mother Leah’s romantic relationships. His father, Vinnie, is incarcerated and reconnects with an old friend, Jesse McGregor (Ben Unwin), whom he entrusts with watching over Leah and VJ after his release. Leah places her trust in Jesse as he has reformed, especially following Vinnie’s death in a fire. Jesse develops a close relationship with VJ, notably saving him during a choking episode, which strengthens his bond with Leah romantically. Jesse provides steadfast support to Leah through VJ’s hearing difficulties and remains a dependable presence during health struggles, encouraging Leah to contemplate rekindling their relationship.

Subsequently, Leah embarks on a discreet relationship with Miles Copeland (Josh Quong Tart), fully aware that VJ maintains ties with her former partner Elijah Johnson (Jay Laga'aia). VJ forms a positive connection with Miles, who serves as a constructive father figure. Although initially secretive about their relationship, VJ eventually reveals significant doubts about Miles, reflecting his protective instincts shaped by being raised by a single mother facing challenges. When Leah becomes pregnant, VJ voices his apprehensions, concerned they are unprepared for this change. After Leah and Miles separate, VJ is deeply upset and holds his mother responsible.

Kidnap

In early 2009, Brian Lawler (Ric Herbert) abducted VJ while seeking access to Leah’s inheritance. At the time of the kidnapping, VJ had been playing with Jai Fernandez (Jordan Rodrigues) and Annie Campbell (Charlotte Best). Leah initially did not suspect anything until she received a ransom demand for $25,000. Unaware that Brian was behind the abduction, Leah attempted to deliver the money; however, Brian fled with VJ upon hearing police sirens nearby. Eventually apprehended by authorities, Brian was caught and VJ was safely returned to Leah.

Departure and return

Matt Little’s final appearance as VJ was broadcast on 23 November 2017. The storyline concluded with his character escaping the Bay alongside Luc Patterson to avoid being taken into custody by his biological father, Mick Jennings (Kristian Schmid). Little acknowledged that his exit was anticipated and felt the narrative conclusion was fitting. After his departure, fellow cast members showed their support on social platforms, with Nicodemou commending his performance and career progress.

In March 2024, a promotional trailer confirmed Little’s return to the role for Leah's wedding to Justin Morgan (James Stewart). Little described the experience of returning to filming and reconnecting with colleagues as "emotional" and mentioned the difficulty of keeping his comeback under wraps on social media. The wedding episodes were broadcast in early April 2024.

Storylines

On the day of VJ's birth, his father Vinnie was arrested for fraud and subsequently sentenced to 18 months in prison. Leah, VJ’s mother, faced challenges raising him with assistance from her brother Alex Poulos (Danny Raco). VJ was born with a hearing impairment requiring cochlear implant surgery. Jesse McGregor, a friend of Vinnie’s, provided support and became a paternal figure to VJ. Leah entered a relationship with Dan Baker, who proposed marriage; they wed despite difficulties including Dan’s gambling debts and threats from creditors. Dan died in an abseiling accident, leaving VJ without a father once more.

VJ was kidnapped for ransom but rescued by police intervention. He endured bullying at school, and an attempt by Miles to protect him resulted in assault charges against Miles that were eventually dismissed. Reverend Elijah assisted VJ in adjusting to high school and helped him find closure following Vinnie’s death. VJ maintained secret contact with Elijah during Elijah’s missionary work in Africa.

VJ formed a friendship with Lily Smith; together they tried to hitchhike to Africa but were located by detectives. Despite Leah’s concerns, VJ admired the River Boys surf gang. Initially bullied by Jett James, VJ later developed a friendship with him. Leah took VJ on a trip to escape Jamie Sharpe's obsessive behavior. Upon returning, tensions arose between VJ and former classmate Nina Bailey.

Leah’s surrogate daughter Pippa Saunders suffered from mitochondrial disease; tests showed VJ did not inherit the condition. VJ bonded closely with Oscar, nephew of Zac MacGuire, and reacted angrily upon discovering Leah’s relationship with Zac. Hunter King, Zac’s biological son, bullied VJ amidst family conflicts. After their home was destroyed by fire, VJ moved in with Leah, Zac, Oscar, and Evie.

VJ developed romantic feelings for Olivia Fraser Richards, who preferred Hunter; despite this, they remained friends. He acted as best man at Zac and Leah’s wedding. When Billie Ashford was wrongly accused of arson, Hunter admitted guilt; initially hostile towards Hunter, VJ later reconciled.

VJ secretly attended a university party with Skye Peters and developed an affection for Billie Ashford, who initially rejected him. They eventually kissed and began dating despite Leah’s disapproval due to their age gap. Billie became pregnant; VJ supported her despite apprehensions about becoming a teenage father. On his 18th birthday, he proposed; she accepted privately but later cancelled the wedding after revealing the baby was not his due to rape.

VJ uncovered that Mick Jennings was Billie's rapist following her panic attack. Billie gave birth to their daughter Lucinda Leah "Luc" Patterson under challenging circumstances including a car breakdown en route to the hospital. Mick abducted Luc but she was safely recovered. Billie was diagnosed with terminal cancer; they married in hospital before she passed away in VJ’s arms.

VJ contested custody of Luc against Ash and Irene but ultimately relinquished her care. Coping with grief, he had a one-night stand with Rebecca Brown and later formed a friendship with Coco Astoni, who developed feelings for him despite being underage.

When Mick returned seeking custody of Luc, VJ sided with Ash against Mick and eventually fled Australia with Luc to Cyprus for her protection, receiving his late father’s wedding ring from Leah as a farewell gift. Years later, VJ returned for Leah’s wedding to Justin Morgan, accompanied her down the aisle, attended the reception, reconnected briefly before returning home to Luc.

Reception

Dean earned nominations for Best Young Actor at the Inside Soap Awards in both 2008 and 2009 due to his role as VJ. The character’s name sparked a range of responses; some reviewers found it quirky or entertaining, while others speculated it stood for "Video Disc Jockey." Regardless of differing viewpoints, VJ remained a well-known character within the show.

Gary Gillatt of Inside Soap expressed criticism over the 2014 recasting of VJ, particularly questioning the noticeable age gap between the actors. Claire Crick from Digital Spy included this recast in a list of soap opera changes that "failed to succeed," emphasizing fans’ nostalgia for the original dynamic between Dean and Ada Nicodemou. Although Matthew Little gradually gained some level of acceptance, a significant portion of the audience never fully embraced the switch, despite producers’ intentions to present a more mature version of the character.

In November 2021, The West Australian placed VJ at number 26 in their "Top 50 heroes we love and villains we hate" from Home and Away, underscoring his enduring role on the show and commending Matthew Little’s portrayal of the adult VJ, while expressing excitement about the possibility of his return.

External links

• VJ Patterson at the Official AU Home and Away website
• VJ Patterson on IMDb