Miles "Milco" Copeland is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Josh Quong Tart. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 30 November 2007. Ryley Mickle and Jackson Edwards played Miles in flashback sequences, showing him at ages three and eight years old respectively. During the early years of Home and Away, Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie) often spoke of an imaginary friend she called "Milco". When Ritchie announced her departure from the soap, producers decided to introduce the real Milco, as regular character Miles Copeland. The development was described by the media as a "legacy storyline." Quong Tart announced his departure from Home and Away in October 2011. Miles departed on 23 November 2011.

Miles is characterised as being charming and quick witted. His clothes often consist of board shorts and crumpled shirts, with his long hair, this gives him a trademark "beachy" look. Miles' style changed in 2010 following Quong Tart's break from the show. Upon returning to Home and Away, the actor had lost weight, grown a beard and cut his hair short. Producers were impressed with the changes and wrote them into the scripts. Miles is often seen consuming large amounts of food, which stems from his time spent living hungry on the streets. This was a character trait created by Quong Tart. Some viewers have written to Home and Away to complain about Miles' eating habits.

Miles' storylines have often centred on his friendships and romantic relationships with other characters. He has become a surrogate father to several teenagers, including Jai Fernandez (Jordan Rodrigues) and Melody Jones (Celeste Dodwell). Miles and Kirsty Sutherland (Christie Hayes) had a long relationship together, during which they lost an unborn child. Kirsty eventually left town, ending their relationship. After sharing a long friendship, Miles and Leah Patterson-Baker (Ada Nicodemou) entered into a romantic relationship in 2011. Leah becomes pregnant and Miles proposes to her. Miles has earned a generally positive reception, while Quong Tart has been nominated for three Inside Soap Awards.

Creation and casting The character of Miles was introduced to Home and Away in 2007, as Sally Fletcher's (Kate Ritchie) brother, whom she had always referred to as "Milco". For twenty years, viewers had been led to assume Milco was just Sally's imaginary friend. Channel Seven ran an on-air promotion campaign, which promised viewers "a 20-year-old mystery" would be solved. In the 2007 season finale, Miles mysteriously arrives in Summer Bay and writes "Milco" in the sand on the beach. Quong Tart was cast in the role of Miles. He previously starred in the Home and Away spin-off headLand as Will Monk. In 2010, Miles was briefly written out of the serial, while Quong Tart took a break from filming to rehearse for a play at the Sydney Opera House.

In October 2011, Quong Tart announced his departure from Home and Away. Of his time in the show, Quong Tart told TV Week, "I couldn't have imagined how much fun I would have and the friends I would make on Home and Away. Playing Miles was a gift." Rebecca Davies from Digital Spy reported the actor had already filmed his final scenes, while TV Week said the way in which Miles leaves the Bay was being kept secret. Miles departed on 23 November 2011.

Character development

Characterisation and career

Quong Tart told Channel 5 that he liked the way Miles looks at the world and revealed that he shared similarities with the character's personality. Miles is often shown consuming large amounts of food on-screen. Miles enjoys his food because of his time spent living hungry on the streets. This was a character choice made by Quong Tart. He thought it was important that viewers see his eating habits, staying true to "representing human beings." However, Quong Tart stated that it sometimes reached a "point where it might not be very pleasant to watch." Viewers had written letters to Quong Tart requesting that Miles should stop "pigging out on television."

In 2011, Miles returns to Home and Away with a new look. Miles had lost weight, cut his hair short and grew a beard. Off-screen Quong Tart had such a busy schedule that he lost weight. When he revealed his new look to producers, they were so impressed they decided to change Miles' image, because it suited the storyline.

Miles secures employment as a teacher at Summer Bay High. One of his students, Ruby Buckton (Rebecca Breeds), develops romantic feelings for him. Breeds said it was a "genuine teenage infatuation" and Ruby was drawn to Miles' maturity rather than his physical appearance. Quong Tart said Miles was "taken back" when he was faced with accusations of kissing Ruby. He manages to prove they are false.

Relationship with Kirsty Sutherland

One of Miles' first relationships is with Kirsty Sutherland (Christie Hayes), which develops from a friendship. Miles is left upset over his foster child Jai Fernandez (Jordan Rodrigues). His emotional state has an effect on Kirsty and she kisses him. Hayes told TV Week that as Kirsty's feelings "take over in the moment", Miles is left surprised because he had been harbouring feelings for her too. Hayes also said Miles did not want to scare Kirsty away and they agree to take their relationship slowly. Hayes later said that Miles and Kirsty's relationship worked so well because "they talk about things and they're mature about their relationship." Kirsty decides that she needs to raise money for her husband Kane Phillips' (Sam Atwell) trial. She secretly begins work as an escort behind Miles' back. Hayes' explained Kirsty was "terrified" that Miles would find out and hated lying to him, but "has no choice." When Miles discovers the truth about Kirsty's escorting, he feels "totally betrayed" and ends their relationship. However, when Kirsty nearly sleeps with a client, Miles comes to her aid. At this point Leah Patterson-Baker (Ada Nicodemou) tries to kiss Miles, as the two previously shared a connection. However, Miles defends Kirsty when he learns Leah had argued with Kirsty over her deceit. The state of their relationship remained troubled, though Hayes correctly predicted the couple would reunite.

In 2009 Hayes quit the serial and her exit storyline played out the same year. It was initially left unclear what impact her departure would have on Miles'. Their relationship deteriorates after Kirsty miscarries their unborn baby. Kirsty is left distraught and feels she has to move with her life without Miles. However, Kirsty does not tell Miles she is leaving and leaves him a goodbye letter. Speaking of the scenes, Hayes said "I don't agree with what she did or how she did it but Kirsty in her warped, grieving mind thinks it's best for everybody." She felt that Kirsty's actions were "horrible and selfish." She also described her as "emotionally detached" and Miles would have tried to talk her out of leaving if he had been made aware of her departure. Viewers were not shown the full content of the goodbye letter. Hayes said it was good because she wrote a private goodbye letter to Quong Tart, and noted the personal element was best left between the two. After Miles chances of a family are again ruined, Miles loses control. He starts drinking and on one occasion he tries to kiss Leah. Producers decided to introduce a character named Rabbit (Mitzi Ruhlmann), who "brings a little fun back into Miles' life." Though Rabbit later turns out to be his dead daughter and a figment of Miles' imagination.

Relationship with Leah Patterson-Baker In 2008, Miles and Leah develop feelings for one another. Nicodemou who plays Leah said her character becomes "freaked out" when she realises they share a connection. At this point in the series Leah was still grieving for her late husband Dan Baker (Tim Campbell). Leah is so ashamed of herself she "cuts Miles off". Nicodemou added that the characters "bonded straight away" because Miles understands Leah and has supported her when she needed help. However, Miles "cannot deny the attraction" which sends Leah further into denial. She decides she is not ready to move on, Nicodemou said this was to respect Dan's memory. Though, she concluded that Leah sees Miles as an "old sock you just feel comfortable with."

In January 2011, Quong Tart revealed Miles was set to have a new love interest. The actor said he found his character's new romance intriguing and explained Miles is "more surprised than anyone that it happens." A few months later, the Daily Star reported Miles would confess his love to Leah, who is shocked by the declaration. Miles is left wondering whether he has ruined their friendship by revealing his feelings to her. An insider told the paper, "Miles and Leah have both been unlucky in love so if they could find happiness together it would be pretty special. Leah is shocked but once the confession starts to sink in she wonders whether they could work as a couple. She begins to consider making a go of it with him." Nicodemou explained that Leah and Miles have tried to get together in the past, but the timing has never been right for them. She later told RTÉ TEN that she thinks Miles and Leah are well suited and hoped they find happiness with each other. Miles and Leah discuss their situation and Leah decides to take the first step and kisses Miles to see if they have any chemistry. Nicodemou said once Leah realises she and Miles have chemistry, she decides to go for it and they begin dating.

In August 2011, Leah discovers she is pregnant. She realises that she does not want a baby as she previously had a miscarriage, which made her decide not to have children again. Of the impact the storyline would have on Miles and Leah, Nicodemou said "It's a really interesting storyline for them. It makes everything serious because things have been quite light, so it's good to see that side of them. There are some rocky times ahead for them because there are differences of opinion." A week later it was announced Miles would propose to Leah in a bid to "solidify" their relationship. Miles confides in Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) about his plans and Quong Tart said Alf is very excited and encourages Miles. Of Miles' decision to propose to Leah, Quong Tart said "They've dated for a while and they know each other so well, and I think it's just one of those things that makes sense."

Other relationships

Miles starts a relationship with Shandi Palmer (Samantha Tolj), TV Week described them as a "kooky" pairing. However their relationship was short-lived, lasting only a number of weeks. Quong Tart said "It came and went like every romance in his life." Miles "couldn't believe his luck" with Shandi because of her attractive appearance. They were compatible because she was "beachy and hippy" and like Miles enjoyed to talk about the meaning of life. Miles drunkenly sleeps with Roo Stewart (Georgie Parker), the next morning she reacts badly. A Home and Away spokesperson said Miles was one of the "nicest blokes in the Bay" and felt like a humiliated "idiot".