Remi Carter
Remi Carter is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Home and Away, played by Adam Rowland. He is one of four characters, along with Kirby Aramoana, Bob Forsyth, and Eden Fowler who were introduced to the show as members of the fictional band Lyrik. The band's introduction followed the departure of four cast members that same year. Rowland received an audition for Remi in December 2021 and he felt an immediate connection to the character. He sent in a self-tape and was asked to attend an audition at the show's studio in Sydney three weeks later. Various actors were auditioned together to find the right combination for the band. Two days after returning home, Rowland was informed that he had won the role while he was working a shift at a pub. He was back in Sydney for filming three days later. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 4 July 2022.
Remi is characterised as being a laid-back larrikin. Rowland said Remi likes a good time and called him loyal and someone fun to be around. He felt that there were quite a lot of similarities between himself and Remi. Tamara Cullen of TV Week later observed that Remi had a protective nature and Rowland said that through his experiences, Remi had learnt how to support close friends through their dilemmas. Rowland described Remi has being born with a guitar in his hands and felt fortunate that he was able to combine his own passion for acting and playing the guitar. Remi was given an immediate link to the show and its characters through his friendship with Felicity Newman. The first scene Rowland, Mallett, Panozzo and Thomson filmed as Lyrik was an impromptu gig outside Felicity's house. The band also play at the relaunch of bar and restaurant Salt, furthering their integration into Summer Bay.
A friendship between Remi and Bree Cameron develops into a romantic relationship, as Bree confides in him about the domestic violence she suffers at the hands of her husband Jacob Cameron. Godwin was a fan of Remi and Bree's relationship, as she felt that he showed her character what it was like to be loved. While Rowland felt fortunate for the plot and the chance to play Remi opposite a villain, as it helped show that his morals are strong. In the opening episodes of the 2023 season, Bree kills Jacob in self-defence, which leaves her traumatised and changes her relationship with Remi. She later learns she is pregnant and Remi is shown to be supportive of her decision to have an abortion. The relationship between Remi and Bree faces further challenges, including Bree's insecurity over Remi's job and Mercedes Da Silva's romantic advances towards Remi.
Remi is a central figure in the 2023 season finale, in which he is struck by a car while riding his motorbike, leaving him with serious injuries. He is almost buried in a shallow grave by the brothers who hit him, until they are interrupted by Eden as her and Remi's storylines converge. Rowland explained that his character experiences a blunt-force trauma to the heart and has to undergo a surgery with a low survival rate. Various aspects of his recovery are shown, including physiotherapy, but his mental health is shown to be badly affected, especially when Bree ends their relationship due to a lie about selling his motorbike, a move that was criticised by Rachel Choy of Punkee. Producers introduced a new love interest for Remi in the form of actress Stevie Marlow. Scriptwriters created a "love square" as Bree begins dating Stevie's director and former boyfriend, Nelson Giles. Remi struggles to move on from Bree, which Rowland thought was due to him needing to do some "soul searching still". Rowland and Godwin were later pictured filming a romantic scene together, confirming Bree and Remi would reunite.
Further exploration of Remi and Lyrik's fictional backstory began with the introduction of Remi's friend Sonny Baldwin in 2025, who worked as a promotor for the band and offers to help Remi spend an inheritance. He jeopardises their friendship by trying to kiss Bree. Remi was also seen launching a new career as a music producer, which brings him into contact with guest character Avalon Bracken, who gives him some drugs while he works on her and Kirby's solo albums. Rowland said that to Remi, the only way he thinks he can finish the albums is with stimulants so he can stay awake. He also called it a short-term solution, however, Remi hits "rock bottom" when he continues using the drugs and has a one-night stand with Avalon, which ends his relationship with Bree for good.
Casting
On 29 June 2022, it was announced that a fictional band called Lyrik, made up of four new characters – lead guitarist Remi Carter, lead vocalist Bob Forsyth, bassist Eden Fowler, and keyboardist Kirby Aramoana – would be introduced to Home and Away in the coming weeks. The group's arrival followed the departure of four cast members from the serial that same year. Adam Rowland received the audition for Remi in December 2021. Remi was the only role Rowland wanted, saying "During the audition process, I certainly felt a connection with that character. I was stoked I got an audition." He was asked to record and send in a self-tape. The audition scene featured Remi bantering with the character of Eden, so Rowland asked a friend to help him out. Three weeks later, Rowland was asked to fly to Sydney to attend another audition at the show's studio. He admitted to being "quite nervous", but he "felt right at home" when he eventually got into the studio.The process to find the right actors for the band involved the candidates auditioning together and rotating the groups to check their chemistry. Rowland thought everyone he auditioned with was "fantastic". After recording another tape, Rowland returned home and learned he had won the role of Remi two days later. He had been working a shift at a pub at the time and was pouring pints when his phone rang. He told Tamara Cullen of TV Week that he was "excited and slightly daunted" about his life changing. He packed a suitcase and his guitar and was in Sydney for filming three days later. Of joining the cast, Rowland stated "It's a phenomenal opportunity that I've been given. I'm so grateful for it. Right now, I certainly want to focus on doing my best and becoming a better actor. And what better place to do that?" Rowland felt "incredibly relaxed" during his first day on set, which involved the band performing on-location outside the Parata family home. His debut episode aired on 4 July 2022.
Development
Characterisation and introduction
Rowland described his character as "the quintessential Aussie larrikin." He also called him "a pretty laid-back guy" and said that very few things affect him, however, when they do, Remi "stands to attention and he's quick to resolve conflict." He also said Remi is "a fun guy to be around", "enjoys a good time and stirring the pot, but is loyal to his friends and family." Rowland liked that aspect of his character's personality and said that he tries to be like his character in real life. He thought there were quite a lot of similarities between himself and Remi. Remi's best friend is Eden and the pair are always teasing one another. In 2024, TV Week's Tamara Cullen observed that Remi has a "protective nature", and Rowland explained that he "has been through quite a lot in his time in Summer Bay – he's learnt to ride the highs and lows of relationships and how to support close friends through any dilemma." Rowland said his character was "born with a guitar in his hands". Rowland also plays guitar and sings. He was once in a band with friends and has performed at open-mic nights. He considered himself to be "incredibly lucky" that he was able to combine acting and playing guitar. He explained that the actors pre-record and perform their performances live during filming. They learn the songs together and work with the music team. Rowland found that performing the songs live was actually "beneficial to his acting", as it helped him get into character and into "the moment".Lyrik are given an immediate connection to the show's setting of Summer Bay through their friendship with established character Felicity Newman. After arriving from the city, they play an impromptu gig outside Felicity and Tane Parata's house. This was the first scene Rowland, Mallett, Panozzo and Thomson filmed as Lyrik. Rowland admitted that they were all "nervous and stressed, and incredibly excited." Purvis explained that the group are old friends from Felicity's past and that Eden is actually her best friend. She said that the band would bring music and trouble to the Bay. Tane initially wants the band to leave, but she talks him around, until they take over the house. Lyrik's arrival coincides with Felicity becoming co-owner of local bar and restaurant, Salt. Purvis revealed that Felicity comes up with the idea to have the band play at the relaunch of Salt, which furthers their integration into the Bay. Sam Warner of Digital Spy reported that Bob "has big plans for the group" and thinks that Summer Bay is underserving of their talents. He and Kirby are also in a "rocky" relationship, putting further strain on the band. Bob later leaves Lyrik and is replaced by Theo Poulos.
In an early storyline for the character, Remi befriends Ziggy Astoni, who helps him look for a replacement van after Bob leaves the band and the Bay. While inspecting a prospective van, the owner tricks them and steals their car, forcing the pair to spend the night in an old shed. Neither Remi or Ziggy have their phone with them, leaving Ziggy's partner Dean Thompson "worried sick". Dean also believes that Remi is "out to steal Ziggy from him" and when he tracks them down, he punches Remi.
Relationship with Bree Cameron
Scriptwriters established a friendship between Remi and Bree Cameron in late 2022, and despite "a simmering attraction" between them, Bree makes it clear that she is married. Godwin said that her character enjoys the attention from Remi and he makes her laugh, but she loves her husband, even though their relationship is "very complex." Bree's husband Jacob Cameron is introduced while Remi and Bree are having breakfast at local restaurant, Salt. It is clear to both Remi and viewers that he is not happy to see Bree with another man, while Remi is shown to find Jacob's presence "intimidating" and he feels that something is not right. Remi becomes a confidante to Bree throughout her domestic violence storyline, and their friendship is developed into a romantic relationship. Godwin loved their relationship, calling it "beautiful" and saying that Remi had shown Bree "what it looks like to be truly loved". Godwin also said that she had enjoyed working with Rowland on the storyline. She also revealed that with Jacob hiding in the Bay to keep an eye on Bree, both her and Remi were in "serious danger" and that they were "about to face something huge".As their relationship becomes more serious, Bree decides that she will seek a divorce and plans to take Remi out on a date in public. Rowland told a TV Week writer that Remi is relieved by Bree's empowerment to free herself from her toxic marriage. He continued: "The date, albeit fraught with danger, is special for him. The woman he's falling in love with wants to be with him." However, the couple's relationship is tested when Jacob enters Bree's motel room and demands that she leaves the Bay with him. Remi attempts to rescue her, but he is overpowered and tied to a chair, before Jacob threatens to maim his hands and end his music career. Rowland explained that for Remi, his immediate thought is "Whatever you do, don't turn that hammer on Bree", adding that he is willing to go through the pain of having his hands broken in order to stop Jacob from hurting her. Rowland felt "very fortunate" to be playing Remi opposite a villain like Jacob, as it showed his character's "morals and values are strong." He praised Williams for his portrayal of Jacob and for not glorifying Jacob's behaviour.
In the opening episodes of the 2023 season, Bree is rescued after being held hostage by Jacob, who she ends up killing in self-defence. Tamara Cullen observed that this event changes everything for the character and her relationship with Remi. She is traumatised at having taken a life, while also feeling guilty for having sex with Jacob to keep herself safe. Godwin told Cullen that Bree did not think she had a choice and that "it was her way of protecting herself and keeping Jacob's temper at bay." As Bree deals with the pain and guilt, Cullen wrote that Remi feels that their strong connection is "slipping further away..." In a further twist to the storyline, Bree learns she is pregnant, but is unsure whether Remi or Jacob is the father. Bree's guilt about having sex with Jacob to "mollify" him during her hostage ordeal leads her to cut Remi out of her life. Godwin commented that Bree "is riddled with guilt" while Remi demands an explanation. In an episode broadcast on 23 March 2023, Bree tells Remi about her pregnancy. Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy noted that Remi "was kind and understanding in response". He is also supportive of her decision to have an abortion. The relationship between Remi and Bree faces further challenges, including Bree's insecurity over Remi's job, but Joe Anderton from Digital Spy said that "the chemistry between them is still strong".
Producers introduced violinist Mercedes Da Silva to the show when Lyrik begin recording their first album. Her presence causes trouble for Remi and Bree, as it becomes obvious that Mercedes is attracted to him. After the band record their first track for the album, Remi and Mercedes stay behind to continue working and she makes romantic advances towards him. Mercedes kisses Remi, but he rejects her advances and she is late to their next recording session. Bree notices that Remi is "evasive" about Mercedes and later overhears them discussing the kiss. Cullen reported that Bree accepts that nothing else happened between them, but she is "still concerned he chose to lie about what occurred."
Writers split the couple up in 2024, after Bree asks Remi to get rid of his motorbike, following a traumatic accident. Bree is "visibly unsettled" when she sees Remi celebrating the bike's restoration and she becomes anxious over losing him. The break-up plays out after Bree learns Remi has been storing the bike at Justin Morgan's garage, so he can ride it in secret. Of Bree's reasons for ending the relationship, Godwin explained: "it wasn't a matter of, 'I'm walking away because I don't love you', it's a matter of, 'I'm walking away, because I don't know if I can live a life constantly being afraid of whether you're going to come home to me at night or not'." Godwin felt both characters were "justified" in their actions, with Bree wanting Remi to give up the bike, and him choosing to keep it because it brings him joy. Godwin found the complexity of the situation interesting to play out.