Straight Summer Bay: The Home and Away Alumni

Despite its Australian roots, Home and Away has always been something of an Irish institution. In fact, you might say our post-school/college free time was strategically planned around the soap opera.

Yes, every evening at 6.30pm, hundreds of us sat down (dinners perched on our laps) and watched the latest drama unfolding in Summer Bay. We celebrated when characters got married, we cried when characters died and we chimed in every single time Alf Fisher uttered the immortal word: “Strewth!”

The popularity of Home and Away (especially in Ireland) has always been something of a mystery, but for the actors and actresses who star in the programme, it can be the first step towards superstardom.

Yes, over the years Home and Away has spawned some very notable thespians. From humble beginnings to Hollywood, here are just a few members of the Home and Away alumni who have gone on to achieve big things for themselves.

As Alf would say: “flamin’ mongrels!”

Chris Hemsworth: Gorgeous Chris is literally everywhere lately (not that we’re complaining, obvs). You probably recognise him from his role in the latest Marvel Studios film The Avengers. Chris plays the part of Thor, the Norse God of lightning.

Right now, Hollywood can’t get enough of Mr Hemsworth. He’s set to reprise his role as Thor again in another big blockbuster due out next year. Not bad for someone who got his big break playing lifeguard Kim Hyde in Home and Away, huh?

Isabel Lucas: We want Isabel to be our new BFF. Not only does she have an amazing sense of style, she’s also raking in the movie roles ever since she made the big move to America in 2008. To date she’s starred in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, The Pacific and Immortals.

Isabel played the part of Tasha Andrews in Home and Away – you might remember her as the wild woman who was occasionally spotted running through the outback before she was taken in by Irene. She was the love interest of Robbie Hunter.

Dannii Minogue: Her sister, Kylie, may have been one of the most memorable faces from Neighbours but Dannii made a name for herself in Summer Bay.

Dannii played the part of tomboy Emma Jackson in the soap opera. She left the Bay in 1990 to pursue her musical career and hasn’t looked back since.

Isla Fisher: Isla is probably one of the most well-known members of the Home and Away alumni. Since her stint on the soap, Isla has gone on to star in films such as Wedding Crashers, Definitely Maybe and Confessions of a Shopaholic. She’s also married to Sacha Baron Cohen (yeah, we don’t get it either…)

Anyway, Isla played the part of Shannon Reed. Some of her most memorable storylines included suffering from an eating disorder and being romantically involved with her adopted brother.

Ryan Kwantyn: Ryan is currently busy hotting things up in the hit vampire drama series True Blood where he plays the part of Jason Stackhouse – the dim-witted brother of Sookie, the main character.

Back in the day, however, Ryan was also known as the hilarious Vinnie Patterson from Home and Away. Ryan left the bay in 2002, but returned for a small cameo appearance in 2004. Aside from his leading role in True Blood, Ryan has also starred in Law & Order, New Girl and various films.

Heath Ledger: The late and great Heath Ledger began his career on the Bay. Granted it was a very short appearance (Heath only starred in a handful of episodes) but it was enough to send his star skyrocketing. Heath made his debut as Scott Irwin, the local bad boy (naturally).

Since his debut on Home and Away, Heath went on to star in films such as 10 Things I Hate About You and Batman: The Dark Knight.