Home And Away is Australia’s second longest-running TV drama behind Neighbours with more than 7,500 broadcast episodes.
It is situated in the seaside resort of Summer Bay and was originally planned to follow the lives of foster children who leave town to stay with a family run by a caravan park.
The soap opera was to be named Refuge, but the name was changed to Home and Away after production began in 1988.
It’s still going strong in the UK following a 12-month hiatus when it switched from ITV to Channel 5.
Palm Beach in Sydney’s Northern Beaches district has been used as an outdoor venue for Summer Bay shots since the series began and has become a tourist favorite.
Summer Bay has helped several cast members find worldwide success when they first appeared on the soap.
Here are some of the favorite characters and cast members, some of them even featuring on the show.
Alf Stewart, played by Ray Meagher
Veteran actor Ray has been playing Alf for more than 32 years.
The original owner of the fictitious Summer Bay Diner is the longest-running character on an Australian TV show with actor Ray Meagher holding a Guinness World record for his soap milestone.
About two years ago, he underwent emergency open-heart surgery after a cardiologist had discovered three serious obstructions in his arteries.
He was back in six months, though, and continues to be a key figure on the program.
Emma Jackson, played by Dannii Minogue
In the soap opera, the 49-year-old actress starred as Summer Bay’s grumpy goth Emma Jackson, starring in 208 episodes between 1989 and 1990, before leaving to pursue a pop career.
Kylie’s younger sister has established herself as a talented TV show judge, such as Australia’s Got Talent (2007–2012), The X Factor UK (2007–2010), Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model (2013), The X Factor Australia (2013–2015), Let It Shine (2017), and The Masked Singer Australia (2019–present).
Shannon Reed, played by Isla Fisher
The actress made her debut in 1994 before leaving three years later, when her relationship with Mandy, a gay elderly woman, left Shannon questioning her own sexuality.
Since then, she has made a good Hollywood career with roles in Scooby-Doo, Wedding Crashers and The Great Gatsby alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
She’s married to Sasha Baron Cohen, actor at Borat, and she has two children with him.
Angel Parrish, played by Melissa George
The star started her acting career at the Australian soap opera in 1993 and remained until 1996.
A teenage tear-away stole the heart of Shane (played by Dieter Brummer). Yet there was no lost passion off-screen, and they haven’t talked in more than 20 years.
She’s a famous film star, an entrepreneur and a mother-of-two.
Marilyn Chambers, conducted by Emily Symons
After nearly ten years in that role, Emily moved to the United Kingdom to take on the role of Louise Appleton in Emmerdale. She appeared in Dancing on Ice in 2007 before returning to Australia in 2010 to resume her role as Marilyn at Home and Abroad.
She was once engaged to former Southampton soccer player Matt Le Tissier.
Scott Irwin, played by Heath Ledger
The character of the bad boy Scott was expelled from Summer Bay High School for stealing test papers and attempting to frame a fellow student.
He appeared in the soap in 1997.
The actor went to Hollywood and made 19 films, including Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight, until his tragic death in 2008. He was awarded the Posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his critically acclaimed role as a Joker after his death.
Donald Fisher, played by Norman Coburn
He began his early career in theater, film and television in the UK and went on to appear on Coronation Street.
Spells ran the London restaurant and the Cornwall vineyard before returning to Down Under.
He became popular as Donald Fisher, headmaster of high school, and was one of the 16 original cast members.
The veteran appeared from the pilot episode in 1988 to 2003 and took the character several times between 2005 and 2008.
Ben Lucini, played by Julian McMahon
The son of the former prime minister of Australia was Ben Lucini from 1990 to 1991.
Mr. McMahon was a soldier on leave who visited the caravan park and won the heart of a resident.
After leaving the show, he tried his luck in Hollywood and landed a leading role in the “Nip/Tuck” plastic surgery drama.
