List of Home and Away characters introduced in 2008
Home and Away is an Australian television soap opera. It was first broadcast on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. The following is a list of characters that first appeared during 2008, by order of first appearance. They were all introduced by series producer Cameron Welsh. The 21st season of Home and Away began airing from 28 January 2008. Principal Martin Bartlett, played by Bob Baines was the first introduction of the year in February. Trent Dalzell as Axel Hay, David Downer as Ross Buckton and Celeste Dodwell as Melody Jones made their first appearances in March. Tessa James arrived as Nicole Franklin in April. Jordan Rodrigues and [|Oliver] Davis joined the cast as Jai Fernandez and [|Oliver Phillips] in May. Esther Anderson and Rebecca Breeds made their debuts as Charlie and Ruby Buckton in June. Luke Jacobz and Paul Pantano debuted on 8 July as Angelo Rosetta and Elliot Gillen, respectively. David Jones-Roberts began appearing as Xavier Austin in November.
Martin Bartlett
Martin Bartlett, portrayed by Bob Baines, made his first appearance on 12 February 2008. In one storyline Martin forms an attraction to his school secretary Kirsty Sutherland. Hayes told Jason Herbison from Inside Soap that "things are really awkward between Kirsty and Bartlett, because he's fallen for her in a big way, but she rejected him and is now dating Miles Copeland." When he sacks Kirsty she takes a job as an escort. But she is unaware Martin uses escorts at the Sands resort. Hayes explained that Kirsty is "horrified to discover that her date is principal Bartlett. It's really humiliating for both of them, because Bartlett recently admitted to having feelings for Kirsty." She does not want to be there but Martin convinces her to stay.Martin, who has taught Science for a number of years at Summer Bay High is introduced when Sally Fletcher introduces him as the new deputy, replacing the departed Donald Fisher. Following Sally's stabbing at the hands of Johnny Cooper, Martin is appointed principal by the school board. One of his first acts is to hire Jazz Curtis as his secretary, after she blackmails him, after seeing him at an illegal fight Ric Dalby is involved in. He then sacks Jazz. After a clash with one of his former students, Kirsty, Martin hires her as Jazz's replacement. He forms an attraction to Kirsty, even to the extent of taking the blame for being Kirsty's three-year-old son, Oliver breaking his arm while Annie Campbell and Jai Fernandez are supposed to be babysitting him. He reveals to Kirsty that his mother brought him up on his own, like she is doing with Oliver while his father, Kane is in prison.
Martin learns of Kirsty's relationship with Miles and he fires her but writes her a reference enabling her to get a job at the sands resort. Things escalate when Miles discovers Kirsty is working as an escort at the Sands, where Martin is paying for such services, leading to a confrontation between Miles and Martin. Martin causes further irritation when he reveals himself as Kirsty's secret benefactor.
At the senior formal which is held in the Surf Club which Martin hosts, Kane's car crashes through the wall. Martin tries to contain the panicky teenagers but is knocked to the ground and trampled, resulting in fractured ribs. He and Kane are hospitalized but recover.
Martin arranges a school trek in memory of Dan Baker on the anniversary of his death for some of the students to take part in. Jai and Annie disappear much to his ire and things are exacerbated when Trey Palmer holds the everybody hostage by planting a bomb underneath the bus. Hugo Austin later defuses the bomb. The strain of recent events becomes apparent and Martin leaves for a cruise but not before appointing Gina Austin new principal.
Axel Hay
Axel Hay, portrayed by Trent Dalzell, made his first appearance on 19 March 2008.In the build-up to Axel's exit from the series, he and Jai Fernandez are knocked over by a drunken Larry Jefferies and he leaves the scene. Todd Lasance who plays Aden Jefferies in the series told Jason Herbison of Inside Soap that "suddenly you see Larry lose control of his car and hit something... While Jai's basically okay, Axel's rushed into hospital in a serious condition." But the two characters are left unable to remember who knocked them over. Lasance added that they do remember seeing a silver estate car, which makes him realise that his father was the perpetrator.
Axel is first seen alongside classmate Aden. Axel attends Nicole Franklin's house party and makes advances towards on to Belle Taylor but is rejected. He then finds Melody Jones crying in a bedroom and feigns an attempt to comfort her and attempts to rape her. When Geoff Campbell finds out what happened, he threatens Axel, who is later beaten up and found on the beach by Belle. When Axel wakes up in hospital, he is reluctant to tell the police anything and suspicion falls on Geoff and Aden. Belle quickly works out Aden is responsible for Axel's attack after he shows his callous attitude, stating that Axel "got what he deserved". Axel's reputation later takes a dive and he apologises to Melody and makes friends with Jai. Axel and Jai are involved in a road accident caused by Aden's father, Axel dies as a result. Axel appears to Melody as a vision when she begins having nightmares about him.
Ross Buckton
Ross Michael Buckton, played by David Downer, made his first appearance on 21 May 2008. Ross arrives at Yabbie Creek Police Station to investigate the murder of Sam Holden. He interviews Martha MacKenzie, the ex-wife of Sam's widower, Jack and quizzes her over a suicide note, which he believes to be fake. After some new evidence is discovered, Ross suspends the interview with Martha and brings Jazz Curtis in for questioning when new evidence is discovered.Ross is determined to expose Jack and Martha as Sam's murderers but is unable to when Morag Bellingham proves that Sam committed suicide and he is forced to drop the charges. It is soon revealed that Ross and Morag were previously involved in a relationship after the collapse of Morag's marriage to Richard.
Ross and Morag begin dating again but a few hurdles get in the way of the relationship including Ross's lies about his wife Elsie's death and opposition from Ross' daughter, Charlie who sends texts warning Morag off. Ross' other daughter Ruby, is warmer to Morag and eventually Charlie accepts the relationship. Ross later proposes and he and Morag marry in a small ceremony with friends and family present before honeymooning in Europe.
Ross and Morag return to the bay the following year, It becomes apparent there are problems in the marriage when Morag appears stressed and Ross, forgetful. Ross disappears one night and is found wandering around by Charlie and tells her he is suffering from jetlag. The extent of Ross' problems becomes evident when he reopens a cold case and searches for a body only for Jack to find the case had been solved years ago. After He goes missing again, Ross is taken to the hospital and diagnosed with Alzheimers' by Rachel Armstrong. When Ross nearly burns down Leah Patterson-Baker's house while trying to cook breakfast, he and his family realise he needs help. Ross agrees to go into care and Morag offers to go with him.
When Grant Bledcoe's body is found on the beach, Charlie is the prime suspect and is suspended from the force, however, Ross comes forward and admits he killed Grant for raping Charlie when they were teenagers. Ross is then charged with Murder and awaits trial. In 2011, Ross dies and his funeral is held in Summer Bay.
Melody Jones
Melody Jones, played by Celeste Dodwell. Dodwell's casting was announced in December 2007, and had completed her drama HSC. Dodwell originally auditioned for the role of Nicole Franklin, however Tessa James became the successful candidate. Dodwell's agent informed her about Melody's "character breakdown" and she said that it "intrigued" her.Dodwell later decided to quit the serial in order to attend drama school in the United Kingdom.
Nicole Franklin
Nicole Franklin, played by Tessa James, debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 18 April 2008. James' casting was announced in January 2008 it was announced Executive producer Cameron Welsh said "She is an exciting talent and I think audiences are going to love her character and respond really well to her." James then moved to Sydney especially for the role. Speaking of working on the serial James stated: "Working on a series like this is the best training you can get, I look at it like an apprenticeship and never forget how lucky I am." Fellow cast member Celeste Dodwell who plays Melody Jones originally auditioned for the part of Nicole. Holy Soap said that Nicole's most memorable moment was when she "returned to the desert island with Geoff to rekindle their love" and she was held hostage by Derek the murderer, before her father came to the rescue. Inside Soap opined that Nicole was a "flighty minx from the city who prays at the altar of Paris Hilton". The Daily Record branded her a "fiery favourite"TV Week chose James as one of the serial's most promising actresses opining she was ready for roles in Hollywood.Jai Fernandez
Jai Fernandez, played by Jordan Rodrigues, first appeared during the episode transmitted on 19 May 2008.Rodrigues joined the cast in 2008 and he told Carolyn Stewart from TV Week that it had been a "whole new experience" for him because he was used to stage work. He added that he was excited about being recognised by viewers. Jai has a back story in which he lost his entire family in Phuket during the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami and he met the established character of Miles Copeland who had also suffered the deaths of his relatives. Rodrigues told Stewart that the character's loss created a "connection" between them and it made Miles bring Jai to Summer Bay. But as Miles previously left Jai in Phuket, this creates problems between them. Rodrigues explained that "Jai's angry at the world after Miles ditched him in Phuket. Miles is now trying to help Jai because he knew he was going through a tough time living in a refuge. But Jai is from the city and doesn't really fit in with the surfy town."
In 2009, Rodrgiues left the serial to join ABC's Dance Academy. For his portrayal of Jai, Rodrigues was nominated in the category of "Most Popular New Talent" at the Logie Awards of 2009.
Jai first appears at a refuge in the city when Miles tracks him down. He is cold and distant towards Miles who said he would always look after him following the deaths of his parents William and Nadieen in a tsunami. After initial reservations, Jai takes Miles up on his offer and returns to Summer Bay with him. Jai struggles to settle into Summer Bay House and struggles to connect with people at school. He makes a friend in fellow outcast Axel Hay and they get into various kinds of trouble and take a joyride on Matilda Hunter's scooter. The boys are knocked off the Scooter by a drunken Larry Jefferies and Axel dies in hospital. In the aftermath, Jai becomes convinced he is invincible. He jumps from Jump Rock to prove so, much to the shock of Annie Campbell. When Matthew Lyons throws Jai's school rucksack on the roof of the school, he goes up to retrieve it, despite the danger. Annie, in retaliation tries Jai's stunt but hurts herself. After Jai feels guilty, they share a kiss and become a couple. Jai and Annie's respective guardians Miles and Irene Roberts try to keep the couple apart but they relent.
Jai and Annie end up in further trouble when Annie is stuck down a storm drain. Charlie Buckton is able to rescue Annie. Trey Palmer begins bullying Jai and harassing Miles and Kirsty Phillips. When Trey lies about a sexual relationship with Kirsty things spiral out of control, Jai obtains some information that Trey had weight issues and threatens to use it unless the charges are dropped.
Jai's relationship with Annie takes another turn when he drunkenly reveals at Ruby Buckton's 16th birthday party, he wants to sleep with her. Annie promptly breaks up with him. Shortly after, Jai and Xavier Austin find an old shotgun at Martha MacKenzie's farm, which results in Jai being accidentally shot. Jai keeps the injury secret but collapses several days later while on a school trek with Annie. He later recovers. Dexter Walker takes an interest in Annie which does not sit well with Jai who wants to get back together with her. He is further upset when he finds Annie and Dexter kissing and refuses to listen to their explanations.
Jai's spirits are lifted when Romeo Smith, an old friend from foster care arrives to stay at Summer Bay House. He asks Romeo for his help to win Annie back but the plan backfires when Romeo allows Annie to believe he is responsible for the love poems Jai has been sending her and Jai realises Romeo wants Annie for himself. Jai then accepts a place on the student exchange trip to Japan in order to get away from them both but opts out after Kirsty miscarries Miles' baby and offers to support them and suggests Annie take his place. In the end, both Jai and Annie leave for Japan after a farewell with their friends.