This year, 'Home and Away' celebrates 23 years on our screens – so we thought it was high time we caught up some of the cast to find out what life is really like in Summer Bay.
Emily Symons
Emily starred on 'Home and Away' for ten years from 1989-1999 as Marilyn, the wife of Summer Bay High headmaster Donald (Flathead) Fisher. She moved to England and joined Emmerdale from 2001 until 2009, before a triumphant return as the Bay’s ditzy blonde in 2009.
You took a break from 'Home and Away' for a number of years to work on 'Emmerdale' – so what made you return to Summer Bay?
I had already returned to Australia when the offer to reprise the role of Marilyn came about. I love the character of Marilyn and a lot of the same crew and people still work on the show so it was an easy decision in the end to return.
Was it easy to fit back into the role of Marilyn?
I was a little apprehensive at first actually, but as soon as I got into the wardrobe and the heels it just felt like no time had passed. Everyone made me feel so welcome back on set.
What are the biggest differences in working on a soap in the UK and one in Australia?
About 30 degrees! It’s pretty much the same, but it comes down to the weather and geography. The most important thing is the people and I have been extremely lucky as the cast and crew on both shows have been lovely to work with.
Emily Symons as Marilyn, a character we've all grown to love.
Would you ever consider returning to the UK or Ireland, maybe on EastEnders or Fair City this time?
I never say never, but at the moment I am extremely happy in Summer Bay.
The cast changed a lot since you left – did you kept in touch with anyone while you were away?
I’ve always stayed in touch with Ray, Kate Ritchie and Judy Nunn. It was lovely to come back and see so many familiar faces in the crew and production office and to meet the ‘new’ cast.
Marilyn is going through a really tough time at the moment; her relationship with Sid is in turmoil and now she’s going to try to kidnap Nicole’s baby. Are we going to see her go through a dark time for the next few months?
Marilyn has been through a terrible time lately – the kidnapping is a reaction to Nicole asking for baby George back. Although I can’t reveal the storyline, it does bring things between Sid and Marilyn to a head.
Rebecca Breeds
Rebbecca plays Ruby Buckton, a mature, free-spirited but emotional teenager with a complicated family background.
The gorgeous Rebecca Breeds ranked well in our hottest TV stars poll this year
Ruby has quite a turbulent relationship with her mother Charlie in the soap, but what’s your relationship with Esther Anderson like off-screen?
I love Esther and generally the mother-daughter nurturing continues off set too, but the roles can get reversed a lot. There's a lot more peace in Bec and Esther's relationship though!
Ruby battles with diabetes in the show – is it important for you to deal with health issues like this?
Ruby represents a lot of very normal young people that have diabetes as part of their everyday life. My concern is that it raises awareness, understanding and that I do it accurately.
There’s a lot of younger cast members in Home & Away and you all seem to have a fantastic wardrobe– do you have much of a say in what Ruby wears?
Apart from what fits and what doesn't (generally everything needs to be taken up because I'm so short), the wardrobe department decide all my outfits.
How have you dealt with the fame side of your job?
Fame is pretty interesting. It brings the best and worst out of people – both the celebrity and the public. Most days, I love meeting fans as long as they remember I'm a normal human and treat me that way. Enjoy the perks, respect your responsibilities and be the best role model you can be to use it for something good.
Apart from Ruby of course, who is your other favourite character in Home &Away?
My other fave character is Colleen. She's hilarious and steels every scene.
You’ve found love on the set of Home and Away with your fellow cast member Luke Mitchell – who made the first move? Neither of us had to make the first move. It sounds corny but the chemistry and attraction was so obvious there was not much room left for playing games.
Rebecca pictured here with her off-screen boyfriend Luke Mitchell (Romeo) and co-star Samara Weaving (Indi)
You got to do a lot of scenes with him recently with the whole Ruby/Indi and Romeo love triangle. What was that like?
Huge perk getting paid to kiss my boyfriend, but the characters fighting wasn't as fun. He's a great actor so working with him creatively was a treat.
We got to see you do a lot of singing on the show a few months ago – would you like to pursue a music career?
I love my music and if the right opportunity comes along, then awesome! If not, I love acting as my profession and music is such a special release for me in my own little world.
We recently ran a Top Sexiest TV stars poll in our magazine and you came in the top 10 in the international category – how does the sex symbol status sit with you?
I'm thrilled! Appearance will come and go, so I'm glad I've had to learn the value of health, inner attractiveness, intelligence and self esteem beyond what's just on the outside, the rest is a bonus!
Ada Nicodemou
Ada stars as Leah Patterson-Baker in Home and Away, a single mother who has a strong work ethic and stands up for what she believes in.
Leah has been through a lot of ups and downs in her love life, so do you think she’ll find happiness with Miles?
I hope she finds happiness with Miles. I think they are very well suited. They have been great friends for a long time and I think it’s a great start to a relationship.
Miles and Leah were friends for so long; do you think it’s a good decision for them to take their relationship to the next level?
Leah was worried about the same thing, but once she realised there was chemistry with Miles, she figured she needed to go for it. She didn't want to pass up a chance at happiness after all she has been through.
Ada Nicodemou (Leah) is one of the longest serving cast members on the show.
Do you think the writers should have continued with the relationship between Leah and Elijah?
No, I don't think the relationship with Leah and Elijah should have continued at that stage because Leah was very hurt and Elijah did the wrong thing by her. It was time for Leah to move on.
We always see Leah cooking up a storm in the Diner, but how would you rate your own cooking?
If you had asked me a couple of years ago I would have said very bad, but I have to say I'm getting a little better these days and experimenting a lot more – but still not up to Leah's standard!
You seem to have great chemistry with your on-screen son Vinnie (Felix), so are you very maternal to him off-screen?
Yes I'd like to think I am, I try to look out for Felix while he is there on set and make sure he is behaving and eating well. I love him dearly and am very close to him.
You are one of the longest serving cast members on the show – did you ever think you’d stay as long as you have?
No, actually. At first, I only signed up for a short time and honestly thought that's how long I would be there, but it’s become like my family and I can't imagine my life without Home and Away.
Is there anything you would love to see happen for Leah in the next year?
Well . . . I'd like her to have a nervous breakdown and come back as evil Leah for a few episodes. I do like playing bad characters and I feel like I haven't played one for a long time, so I think it would be a lot of fun.
What level of recognition do you get in Australia from being in a soap like Home and Away?
I guess we are in people's sitting rooms every night so they do feel like they know you very well, but in saying that, we get a lot of looks but people do respect our privacy.
Home and Away has been so popular around the world for so many years. What do you think gives it that global appeal?
It looks fantastic and is set on one of Australia's most beautiful beaches (Palm Beach). The sets are all so bright and I think our storylines are universal and forever changing so we are always up with the times.
A lot of cast members come and go from Home and Away. Is that hard to deal with?
I guess that is the nature of a show like Home and Away, and it’s a positive that I get to meet talented new people, but it’s always sad seeing someone leave the show.
Janice Butler
