Sasha Bezmel
Sasha Bezmel is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Demi Harman. The actress relocated to Sydney from Brisbane for filming and she stated that winning the role was a dream come true. Harman told a reporter that her character forced changes within herself, which she had difficulty adjusting to. Harman made her first screen appearance as Sasha during the episode broadcast on 31 August 2011. Harman decided to leave the show in 2014 and filmed her final scenes in October. Sasha made her official departure on 1 April 2015.
Sasha was introduced as established character Sid Walker's illegitimate daughter. Upon her mother's death, Sasha and her half-brother Felix Bezmel were orphaned and Sasha had to move to Summer Bay. Sasha was initially "a rebellious and furious teenager". Harman described Sasha as being "sassy" and "angry", as well as having a stubborn streak. Shortly after her arrival, Sasha embarked on a relationship with Stu Henderson, which eventually turned abusive. Harman admitted that she was both scared and excited about taking on a domestic violence storyline. In February 2012, a whodunnit was formed when Stu was found dead. The Walker family soon became suspects and Sasha was bullied by a group of students led by Christy Clarke. Sasha soon confessed to killing Stu in self-defence when her father became the prime suspect.
While on the rebound from Stu, Sasha began dating Xavier Austin. However, the age difference and timing soon caused them to break up and Sasha quickly developed feelings for Casey Braxton. Sasha lost her virginity to Casey and also went through a pregnancy scare. After splitting from Casey, Sasha began dating Spencer Harrington. They initially kept the relationship a secret, so they did not hurt Spencer's ex-girlfriend and Sasha's close friend, Maddy Osborne. In the same year, Sasha befriended Rosie Prichard, who became obsessive with Sasha's company and almost caused them both to drown during a stunt to get Sasha's attention. The character of Sasha has been positively received by critics and Harman was nominated for the Most Popular New Female Talent Logie Award in 2012.
Casting
auditioned for the role of Sasha, however, it was actress Demi Harman who was eventually cast. Harman had not long been attending university and relocated from Brisbane to Sydney for filming. Receiving the role was Harman's "dream come true" and she fell in love with her character. While being interviewed by Holly Richards from The West Australian, Harman disclosed to her that the role forced changes in her and adjusting to them was "hell difficult". Harman made her debut screen appearance as Sasha during the episode first broadcast on 31 August 2011.Development
Characterisation
Sasha is the illegitimate daughter of Sid Walker and Regina Bezmel. On the serial's official website, Sasha is described as originally coming from "just another working class family" who were "battling along". However, the death of her mother leaves Sasha and her half-brother Felix Bezmel orphaned. Sid meets Sasha a number of months after her mother's death because there is delay in the contact process. With "months of grieving, misery and building resentment" - Sasha becomes "a rebellious furious teenager". She was also billed as "uncontrollable, naughty and independent". Harman said that liked her character's had a stubborn streak and that face that she is "sassy" and "angry". Sid was initially "just a means to an end" to Sasha because he played no part in her life. She was soon introduced to her older siblings Dexter and Indigo Walker. Harman enjoyed working with her on-screen family and even came to think of Weaving as being her second sister. Sasha develops three romantic relationships during her first year in the series. Harman has stated that Sasha uses relationships as a method to convey that she is mature and grown up despite being sixteen.Domestic violence
The serial used Sasha's relationship with Stu Henderson to depict the issue of domestic violence. The actress told Erin Miller from TV Week that Sasha is "absolutely smitten" with Stu, despite Dexter's concerns. Sasha just begins dating Stu without carrying out any "groundwork" into who he is. There were no "warning signs" for her and it happened so rapidly that Sasha just "kind of fell into" the relationship. Harman added that he is "very protective" over Sasha, and went on to explain that he is jealous and does not want her to interact with other males. Lachie begins text messaging Sasha and Stu becomes angry, the actress stated that Stu "tries to take Sasha's phone and he questions why she would be texting another guy" and subsequently hits her. Sasha decides to get advice from Ruby Buckton, but does not tell her the full story. But Sasha decides to end their relationship.Stu then steals Xavier Austin's car and forces Sasha to get into it. He threatens that he shall do something "extreme" if she does not forgive him. Harman said that "he is out of control and Sasha feels like she has no choice but to get in the car even, though she is scared." Stu's anger issues are revealed to her at a "very fast rate" but there are "elements of ignorance" because she is not willing to accept the predicament. Harman opined that it could be "dangerous" for her character if she becomes embroiled in a cycle of forgiveness. One of the reasons she puts up with Stu is because she is not fully over the death of her mother. She concluded that it was a "disaster waiting to happen".
The storyline later came to the centre of the serial. Harman told Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy that she was both scared and excited about taking on Sasha's domestic abuse storyline. The actress has anti-violence values and it was "really challenging" for her to portray - but she was grateful for the opportunity to play the victim. Harman researched the issue by visiting a range of anti-abuse blogs and websites such as White Ribbon and The Line. She also learned about the "psychology behind it". Harman explained that the story was "necessary" for Sasha's development and it subsequently scored positive feedback from the audience. There was also praise given to Home and Away for choosing to portray abuse within a teenage relationship. In various scenes the violence that Sasha endures from Stu becomes "quite heavy". Harman stated that she and Thwaites knew it was a "serious" issue and made an effort not to take both their character's state of minds home with them.
Sasha is convinced that Stu will change and forgives him. Harman explained that "I think she reminds herself that as much as Stu hurts her, she genuinely loves him enough to want to help him stop doing what he's doing." Sasha actually sees Stu's "true colours" from the first time he hurts her - but she does not do anything about it. She just carries on letting it happen until it begins happening in public. Harman felt that Sasha's denial was the most "frustrating part" of the scenario. She hoped that anyone in a similar situation to Sasha would seek help and tell someone. When her father, Sid learns the truth he attacks Stu in "intense" scenes. The actress revealed that some characters understand that Sid is trying to protect his daughter. But she added that "it does bring to light in the Summer Bay community the issue of trying to solve violence with violence." Harman later revealed that the storyline had been her favourite so far because it was "epic". Discussing her character's future with a writer from Yahoo!7, she said that "a lot of people" wanted Sasha to grow up and Stu's behaviour would "greatly impact her in the future". Harman hoped that Sasha would eventually find a boyfriend who would treat her "right".
Stu's death and bullying
In the 2011 series finale, Sid is arrested for violently assaulting Stu in response to discovering his abuse towards Sasha. Harman later revealed that Stu's father Alan Henderson would clash with Sid. In response to Stu's violence the Walker family "form a protective circle" around Sasha. In February 2012, it was announced that Alf Stewart would find Stu's body as the caravan park, sparking a whodunnit storyline. Because of Stu's "chequered history" the police believe that one of the local residents could be responsible for his death and Sasha's father Sid is the prime suspect due to the beating he gave Stu and the AVO that was taken out against him. A reporter from TV Week announced that the entire Walker family would become suspected of the murder when a bloodied shirt is discovered on their property.Luke Mitchell, who plays Romeo Smith revealed that the actual killer would confess. He added that the storyline would explore whether or not his death was accidental or premeditated. When her father become the prime suspect, Sasha decides to confess that she killed Stu. Mammone told Digital Spy's Kilkelly that Sid is quick to support Sasha because he believes it was an accident. He is "sad and disappointed in himself" because Sasha did not feel safe to trust him with her problems sooner. The family hire Morag Bellingham for legal support. Sid is frustrated with Sasha because her dishonesty gives the police reason to issue murder charges. Mammone explained "Demi is a lovely girl and a talented actress - she has handled this storyline like a veteran!" He concluded that Sasha's situation would worsen as students who liked Stu target Sasha.
Shortly after it was announced that Isabelle Cornish had been cast as student Christy Clarke, who was good friends with Stu. Cornish explained that Christy had developed a crush on Stu and when she learned that he had died, she became determined to find out who was responsible. After Sasha admits that she killed Stu, Christy lashes out at her and Sasha finds herself victimised at school. Cornish revealed "Christy doesn't like Sasha. Her aim is to destroy her. She tries to get rid of her friends, bully her and make her uncomfortable." The actress added that she had to make herself believe Sasha was a bad person and that she wanted her to feel unhappy. Harman explained that she found it easy to relate to Sasha's bullying storyline, as she herself was bullied at school. The actress said that Sasha does not cope with well with the bullying and it is "definitely a test of her strength and stability."