Former Blue Heelers actress Simone McAullay is returning to Home and Away, playing activist Teresa, who befriends Irene in a support group for victims of assault. Simone last appeared in the soap in the recurring role of Ric’s (Mark Furze) on-again/ off-again love interest Vivian Anderson.
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Home and Away have done really well trying to include important storylines covering depression in men, sexual assault and medicinal marijuana trials, however viewers are finding these storylines are running too long and they’re getting bored. Credit to the writers for trying to open the conversation about these issues but perhaps they needed to focus on one of these storylines at a time rather than all three at the same time. Viewers are also losing interest in the whole Robbo/Dylan Carter storyline, however I guess the longer this storyline runs for the longer they’re able to keep Tori off the screen while her portrayer is on maternity leave.
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Simone McAullay is a great actress, she was great in Heelers, but also loved her in Broadchurch.
She was recently in the Youi Insurance ads
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Where? Did Simone play a client in one of the Youi ads?
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No, she was representing Youi in the car trips, here:. First saw them way back in summer on Nine’s tennis I think
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By the way, this thread made me actually think of H&A again! Haven’t watched the show in 11 years, used to watch mid-2000s which were great (after Neighbours would finish at 7pm), when Chris Hemsworth (now Hollywood royalty) was on!
I remember Neighbours has a resurgence at the time in the ratings, following very popular Izzy (Nat Bass) ‘villian’ character, as well as Paul (Stefan Dennis) long awaited return at the end of 2004 with the famous finale/fire ball to the old Lassiters.
So remember when H&A added that Holly Brissley (some model) actress for a few years in response, also a ‘villian’, to try to win fans over like Izzy. Amanda I think her character was, she was the most useless and pointless character ever in the show.
I watched the first episode that was about a caravan park at Summer Bay, iirc. I haven’t watched more than a couple of minutes since, but I get the impression the town has grown.
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Watching Home and Away Monday’s episode on the 7Plus Telstra TV app it says the episode length is 28mins with all the ads.
On the Amazon Fire TV stick it says 21:37 . I added up all the ads (as I thought it felt quicker to watch ) on this device and about 3mins 38 in total of ads, give or take as one ad I missed seeing how long it was but it was short.
So for some reason on the Telstra TV Seven puts 7mins of ads in vs 3.5mins on the Amazon Fire TV stick.
So watching all 6 eps on the TTV you would have to go through 42 mins of ads vs about 21 on Amazon’s Fire TV stick.
Not sure why it’s done like this, more people watching on a TTV than a Fire TV stick app? perhaps…
THE HOME AND AWAY PODCAST
Home and Away launches official “access all areas” podcast
Channel Seven has today launched THE HOME AND AWAY PODCAST , an official “access all areas” podcast hosted by former cast member Jason Smith ( Robbie Hunter, 2003-2006 ).
THE HOME AND AWAY PODCAST is the ideal companion for both longtime fans and newcomers, offering a deep dive into the world of Summer Bay by the people who work on and off screen.
Each week, Jason and his guests will discuss the storylines, characters and history of the iconic Australian series, as well as offering unparalleled, behind-the-scenes insight into the making of the show.
The premiere episode explores the importance of ‘Family’ in Summer Bay and features Channel Seven’s Head of Drama and Home and Away Executive Producer, Julie McGauran , and Series Script Executive, Louise Bowes .
Episode 2 continues the ‘Family’ theme with special guests Georgie Parker and Lukas Radovich , who play Roo Stewart and Ryder Jackson, daughter and grandson of Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher).
“I loved sitting down with Jason and exploring the dynamics of the ever-changing Stewart household with Lukas,” said Georgie. “It’s also nice to have a conversation rather than a straight up interview; going off track can lead to a lot of fun. I think our audience will love this podcast series.”
On the launch of the podcast, Julie McGauran said; “We wanted to extend the Home and Away experience for our audience. By including members of the production team and cast, we’re giving listeners different perspectives about how we make the show and tell stories. And Jason’s insight, from working both in front of and behind the camera, has made for some very interesting and entertaining conversations with guests.”
THE HOME AND AWAY PODCAST is a Seven Studios Production. It is available now through Acast or your preferred podcast platform.
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Had the misfortune of seeing a fair bit of Home and Away recently - the thing that really struck me is how it’s become a really ‘dark’ show. What I mean is all good shows get the delicate balance between light and shade just right. However, it seems like H&A’s writers have decided that the show should consist of nothing but the characters going through some type of trouble, grief, pain or torture. I remember sitting through one of the 90 minute marathons recently and feeling somewhat depressed afterwards because the 3 episodes consisted of nothing but sad/dark storyline after sad/dark storyline - there was nothing to break it up.
Interested to hear what those who watch the show regularly think but I don’t think just focusing on dark storylines is good for the show’s long-term future
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Home and Away went down the dark storylines a few years ago when the writers introduced the River Boys. After that, each season has been peppered with violence and unnecessary character deaths. Is it meant to reflect the current state of the Australian society?
It needs more humour deperately. The good ol’ days with Colleen and Morag for example were hilarious. More over the top character actors would help and/or even introducing a comic actor or even a comedian to play a comedian?
Is your life peppered with violence and unnecessary deaths?
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Mid year the show introduced three major storylines around the same time. It was unusual, mainly because it felt like they would’ve been better as end of season cliffhangers.
On their own these storylines would’ve been really good, especially because the writers have given each storyline time to evolve rather than rushing through them. But with all three storylines running at the same time, along with the long-running Robbo storyline, the show needed to balance out with lighter/humorous storylines.
I agree they urgently need a humour injection. Some of the recent scenes with Karen were funny but the show needs more. Maybe bringing back Chris Harrington (Johnny Ruffo) or a similar character would work (or is Johnny Ruffo going to be on The Masked Singer…?). Perhaps more of the old-style interaction between Alf and John Palmer?
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Olivia left the soap last week as her character Raffy departed for Melbourne to take part in a medicinal marijuana trial.
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Absolutely disgusting amount of ads on catchup for Home and Away, 21min show up to 29 mins now on 7Plus on the Telstra TV and on one episode on the Fire TV Stick.
Seems way more than Tenplay or 9Now.
I counted 15 ads watching just 1 episode on catchup.
I’m not against ads, but 7 to 8 mins per episode on catchup is a lot.
Seven must be needing the cash.
My last post it was 28 mins with ads included now it’s pumped up to 29 mins.
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Stars from Home and Away will appear at the Royal Melbourne Show on The Channel 7 Entertainment Precinct Main Stage for an in-depth discussion and Q&A about life in Summer Bay and beyond.
Saturday, September 21, 2pm-2.30pm: Lukas Radovich and Courtney Miller
Saturday, September 28, 2pm-2.30pm: Sarah Roberts and Tim Franklin
On both days, the actors will then appear at the Seven Dome from 2.45pm-3.45pm to meet fans.
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As shown on this week’s cover of TV Week, Mia Morrissey will make her H&A debut tomorrow (Tuesday) night as backpacker Jade Lennox. News Corp says Mia, who competed on The Voice in 2014 and is the daughter of talent agent Mark Morrissey, landed the role while working as an assistant in an office job earlier this year.
She started filming back in June.
More stunt casting with reality show contestants. Ugh! 
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