Darryl Braxton
Darryl "Brax" Braxton is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Steve Peacocke. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 16 February 2011. The character was created and introduced along with his two brothers; Heath and Casey. The trio were nicknamed The River Boys and were inspired by the real life Bra Boys group. When Peacocke learnt about the role of Brax, he initially thought he would not suit the part as he is from the country. However, after learning more about the character, Peacocke successfully auditioned for the role. Before the character's arrival on screen, Debbie Schipp of The Daily Telegraph described him as being a "beach bum" with a reputation for being an "awesome" surfer.
Brax is a feared member of the River Boys, a surfie group from Mangrove River, and he commands a respect from them. However, Brax has always wanted to make something of himself and Peacocke revealed that he wanted a successful family life. Brax storylines often revolved around his long-running relationship with Charlie Buckton until her death. Brax dealt with his grief by cage-fighting, which he started doing to pay off a debt. Brax later had relationships with Natalie Davison and Ricky Sharpe, who also gave birth to Brax's son. Peacocke's departure was announced on 1 February 2015 and Brax made a temporary exit on 10 June 2015, before returning on 9 December. He made his final appearance on 7 June 2016. For his portrayal of Brax, Peacocke has won the Logie Awards for Most Popular New Male Talent and Most Popular Actor. Peacocke will reprise the role alongside Sveen for a storyline that revists their characters ten years on in 2026.
Creation and casting
In 2010, Network Seven began running teaser trailers for a new trio of characters known as The River Boys. Said to be a "bad-boy surf gang with dodgy reputations", The River Boys initially consisted of three brothers – Casey, Heath and Darryl "Brax" Braxton. Kristy Kelly of Digital Spy reported Koby Abberton and his gang, known as the Bra Boys, were the inspiration for The River Boys. Steve Peacocke was cast as eldest Braxton brother, Darryl. He heard about the role from his agent and he was initially unsure he would suit the part as he is from the country. Once Peacocke understood what type of person Darryl was, he believed he could offer something to the role. Peacocke said the audition process was "a lot of fun" and during a call back, he got to work with Esther Anderson, which made him less nervous. Peacocke made his on screen debut as Brax on 16 February 2011.On 9 May 2013, it was announced that Peacocke would be taking a break from Home and Away, so he could film a role in Hercules: The Thracian Wars. The actor thanked the show's producers and the network for allowing him the time off from the soap and producer Lucy Addario said "Steve is a truly great actor so it is no surprise that Hollywood has come calling. We are thrilled to be able to give Steve this short break from Home and Away and support him as he takes up this amazing opportunity." Peacocke returned to Home and Away in September.
Development
Characterisation
Upon the character's announcement, Debbie Schipp of The Daily Telegraph reported Darryl was a "beach bum" who has an awesome reputation as a surfer. Amy Edwards of the Newcastle Herald stated that he is the most revered of the Braxton brothers and a "reckless and feared member of the River Boys." Peacocke said the character was first described to him as the leader of an outlaw surfie gang, which made him think of all the men he had met who play sport and are feared, but able to lead their teams at the same time. Peacocke explained to Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy that he had learnt a lot from playing Darryl, as he comes from a completely different background to him. When Darryl was twelve, his father walked out on his mother, Cheryl and his two brothers, Heath and Casey. Darryl became the man of the house and he tried to keep his younger brothers out of trouble. Despite developing a friends with benefits relationship with Tegan Callahan, Darryl had never been in love before coming to Summer Bay.A Channel Seven website writer described Darryl as having a "dodgy reputation and a chip on his shoulder." He is a surfing legend in his home town of Mangrove River because he was one of the first surfers to take on the rip tides at Wilson's Beach and develop his own surfing style. The Seven writer explained that because Darryl is fearless, he commands a respect from the rest of the surfers that he finds useful. However, Darryl is a "reluctant hero" and a reporter from Channel 5's Home and Away website commented that he became determined to leave Mangrove River, so he could forge a career as a legitimate business owner. Peacocke backed this statement up, saying Darryl wanted to make something of himself and escape the way of life associated with the River Boys. He later explained "He's a bloke who wants to escape his upbringing. He has been pigeon-holed in Summer Bay because of his looks but he wants a legitimate life. He doesn't want riches. At the end of the day he just wants a successful family life." Peacocke spends an hour in make-up every day getting The River Boy's trademark "Blood and Sand" tattoos painted on his body. The actor revealed the most uncomfortable aspect of playing Darryl was having to take his shirt off. He called it a "show pony thing to do" and was embarrassed by it.
Relationship with Charlie Buckton
Schipp from The Daily Telegraph said Brax was set to get to know Charlie Buckton in a future storyline. Brax meets Charlie after she comes to ask him to keep his surf gang under control. During his interview with Digital Spy, Peacocke was asked if Brax likes Charlie romantically and he said, "For a bloke like Brax, Charlie is pretty ideal – she's smart, sexy and is strong enough to take him on. He's all about testing himself and he knows he'll be running a gauntlet if he pursues her. She's got that X-factor he can't ignore." When a fight breaks out at the Surf Club, Charlie arrives to investigate and she asks Brax to step outside, so they can talk. Brax misinterprets the situation and believes Charlie just wants to be alone with him, so he kisses her. Charlie is horrified by his actions and she arrests him for assaulting a police officer. After Brax's arrest, things began to develop "dangerously" between him and Charlie and Peacoke believed that viewers would find it tense to watch.Charlie comes under pressure from the community to find a more serious crime to charge Brax with. She starts to believe that he is selling stolen alcohol to Angelo Rosetta, but everything checks out and Brax realises the kiss has "sparked something" in her. The Daily Telegraph's Colin Vickery proclaimed that Brax had turned Charlie's safe world upside down. While Anderson told him "What is wonderful about this relationship is that it is forbidden love. There is this element of danger that brings excitement along with it. It is quite different for Charlie. In all her previous relationships she has been hesitant and held back physically and with her feelings." The actress branded the relationship "quite fun and flirty." Just as Charlie starts to trust Brax, his ex-girlfriend, Tegan, arrives in the Bay. Peacocke revealed that Tegan comes to do his mother's bidding. After Brax clashes with Cheryl, she contacts Tegan and gets her to work out what has been going on with him.
Tegan tries to win Brax back, but is shocked to find he has moved on with Charlie. Even though they share a history, Brax does not trust Tegan and when he learns she has threatened Charlie, he order her to leave town. A show spokesperson said "Brax tells Tegan he wants nothing to do with her. As far as he's concerned, she's very much in his past and he has no interest in her any more. She's devastated when he tells her to leave. But there really is nothing worse than a woman scorned." Peacocke thought Brax and Charlie's relationship would not be "smooth sailing" until Tegan was gone. Charlie suspects Brax has been involved in a drugs operation and breaks up with him. Brax is "gutted" when she ends their relationship and wants her back. He "puts his heart on the line" and begs her to try again, but she puts her duties as a policewoman first. After he is rejected, Brax has sex with Tegan and Charlie finds them together. Peacocke thought it was hard to say if Brax and Charlie would get back together, while Vickery quipped that it was obvious Charlie cannot stay away from Brax for long.
Brax is linked to an armed robbery, but Charlie, who is investigating the crime, believes Brax is innocent from the start. She decides to interfere with police evidence, but feels guilty about what she has done and goes away to a cabin for a few days with a friend. Brax later turns up and while he and Charlie are talking, he reveals that he still loves her. They get back together, but on the way home they crash into Liam Murphy on his motorbike. Realising Charlie and Brax should be seen together, Heath tells the police that he hit Liam. Charlie then decides to leave the police force. Brax and Charlie decide to move to the city, accompanied by her daughter Ruby and Casey. Peacocke stated "Brax is now with the one he loves. Charlie's left her job and her career for him, and he's left the brotherhood and the River Boys for her. They both realise what they had in Summer Bay is no longer there, so it's time for a fresh start somewhere completely new." However, Charlie is shot and critically injured by Jake Pirovic. When they learn that there is nothing more the doctors can do for her, Ruby and Brax make the decision to turn off Charlie's ventilator. Anderson knew some fans would be disappointed that Brax and Charlie did not end up together, but the series producer had told her that after investing so much in the couple, killing Charlie off was the best option.