Troy Miller is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Dieter Brummer. The actor relocated to Melbourne to film his scenes and his casting was announced in March 2011. He had a seven-week guest contract. Brummer revealed that his turn in Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities caught the attention of the Neighbours producers and they later offered him the role of Troy. He also stated that the part made him enjoy acting again, after being away from the industry for several years. Brummer made his first appearance as Troy during the episode broadcast on 10 May.
Before his arrival on screen, it was revealed Troy was Sonya Mitchell's (Eve Morey) ex-boyfriend and the biological father of Callum Jones (Morgan Baker). Troy is an ex-army officer and a complex character. He initially appears nice on the surface, but there is a dark side to him. Brummer revealed that Troy does not intentionally set out to stir up trouble, but aspects of his personality often cause problems. He later stated that Troy knows how to push people to his advantage. Troy comes to Erinsborough after being contacted by Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney). He discovers Callum is his son and sets about getting to know him better. He also becomes keen to get back together with Sonya.
Troy departed on 8 June 2011 after failing to convince Sonya to start a new life with him. In March 2012, it was announced that Brummer had reprised his role for six weeks. The actor revealed that it took twelve months to come up with the storyline and get him back. Troy purchases a house on Ramsay Street and Brummer stated that he just wants to be a part of Callum's life. Shortly after the character's return, it was revealed that he was Jade Mitchell's (Gemma Pranita) abusive ex-boyfriend. In June 2012, a two-week-long storyline unfolded in which Troy took Callum, Sonya and Jade hostage, before being badly injured. The character died from a head injury on 3 July 2012, following a dramatic confrontation with his son.
Casting On 1 March 2011, a writer for Channel 5's Neighbours website announced Brummer had been cast in the role of Captain Troy Miller. The actor relocated from Sydney to Melbourne, where Neighbours is filmed, for his seven-week guest stint on the soap. Brummer began filming his first scenes the day after his casting was announced. Inside Soap's Jason Herbison revealed Brummer's appearance in Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities attracted the attentions of the Neighbours producers and they later offered him the role of Troy. The actor told Herbison that he was "chuffed" when he received the offer and that he was enjoying acting again, after being away from the acting industry for a while. Brummer added his Neighbours role allowed him the opportunity to work alongside his friend, Scott Major (Lucas Fitzgerald). Of Brummer's casting, the show's executive producer Susan Bower commented "We are delighted that Dieter is joining us and we're very excited about the character he is playing. The Captain will certainly leave his mark on Ramsay Street." Brummer made his debut screen appearance as Troy on 10 May 2011.
Development
Backstory and characterisation Troy is Sonya Mitchell's (Eve Morey) ex-boyfriend and the biological father of Callum Jones (Morgan Baker). Brummer revealed that when Troy and Sonya were together, they were going through a dark time in their lives. Explaining Troy and Sonya's relationship further, Brummer stated "I think he would have been more dedicated to Sonya and their relationship in the past if he'd known that she decided to keep their baby. He has never really let go of Sonya. For whatever reason they finally decided to break up and neither one of them was in a great place at the time. Then he left to join the army." The actor believed that it was not easy for the former couple to confront their past.
Brummer commented that Troy had been through many changes since his relationship with Sonya. Speaking to a Channel 5 website reporter, the actor said Troy stands up for himself, though "he will turn like a cut snake if he's crossed." Brummer called Troy "a complex character", who initially appears nice on the surface. However, there is another side to him. A writer for Channel 5 observed that not everyone in Erinsborough would be ready to welcome Troy. They described him as a "sexy soldier", who was guaranteed to see a lot of heavy combat during his time on the show. Brummer told a TV Week reporter that Troy does not intentionally set out to stir up trouble, but aspects of his personality would cause problems.
When asked by a What's on TV journalist if Troy has a nice side, Brummer stated "That's an interesting question. His intentions are good from the point-of-view that he wants to be with his son, Callum. However, there is some really bad, dark stuff going on with Troy and that overrides any of his positive motives." The actor thought Troy would be a good father to Callum, but only if it was just them together. Speaking about his second stint in Neighbours, Brummer revealed that Troy is "a great strategist", who knows how to push people to his advantage. He later said "When we first saw Troy last year he wasn't aware that he fathered a child to Sonya and after things went a little bit awry towards the end of last year's stint, he'd gone away and spent a bit of time thinking about it and came back."
Introduction Troy comes to Erinsborough after being contacted by Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney). Toadie reveals that he wants to know if Sonya is hiding anything else from him, having just learned she is the mother of his adoptive son, Callum. Troy subsequently learns he is Callum's biological father and Toadie begins to see him as a threat, which Brummer thought was to be expected. Moloney compared the two men to a pair of bulls eyeing each other up and waiting to see who charges first. Aware that her relationship with Toadie has broken down, Troy becomes keen to get back together with her. Troy and Sonya share a kiss, which is witnessed by Callum. Moloney told an Inside Soap writer that "in a way Toadie paved the way for Troy to come back into Sonya's life - and it looks like he's going to regret that." Just as Toadie learns about the kiss, his friend Harold Bishop (Ian Smith), reveals that he also witnessed Troy and Sonya kissing earlier in the week. Moloney thought that if Sonya and Troy did get back together, then there would be "a ready-made family" waiting for Callum. Toadie gives Sonya his blessing to move on with Troy, but he later realises that he wants to win her back.
Troy reveals his "true colours" when he attends Harold's stag do. He threatens Harold into staying out of his way, by shoving him to one side. Shortly after that incident, Toadie becomes worried when he learns Troy has taken Callum to Puckapunyal. He cannot get a hold of him and the situation briefly brings Toadie and Sonya together. When Troy returns, it is revealed that it was Callum's fault. Moloney told a Channel 5 reporter that Toadie then has a go at Troy, which pushes him and Sonya apart. Following Harold's wedding, Toadie and Sonya decide to get back together. Troy initially takes the news well, but after running into Sonya's sister, Jade (Gemma Pranita), who provokes him with some "choice words", he snaps. Troy lashes out by punching Toadie and shouting at his son, terrifying him. Troy eventually calms down and feeling remorseful, he contacts Sonya, who agrees to meet him in his hotel room. TV Week's Jackie Brygel and Gavin Scott wrote that it soon becomes clear Troy is still angry, when he refuses to let Sonya leave. Troy tries unsuccessfully to convince her to start a new life with him and he leaves alone.
Return
On 2 March 2012, it was announced that Brummer had reprised his role for a six-week stint. Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy confirmed the actor was already back on set filming, but details of his comeback storyline were being kept under wraps. A Neighbours spokesperson told Kilkelly that Troy's return would "certainly ruffle feathers in Erinsborough." Brummer commented that he was enjoying being back in Melbourne and that the cast had made him feel at home. Speaking to Seanna Cronin of the Sunshine Coast Daily about his return, Brummer revealed "I did the seven-week guestie last year and there was talk about it. It seemed fairly well open. It took 12 months for them to come up with the storyline and bring me back, I had a feeling I'd be back at some point, I was just not sure when." Brummer made a return to Neighbours on 28 May 2012.
A Channel 5 website writer said Troy's return storyline was expected to be one of the most dramatic for 2012. Brummer revealed that Troy comes back to be a part of Callum's life, but the way he goes about it does not sit well with some of the residents of Ramsay Street. He purchases Number 32, the house next door to Sonya and Toadie, thinking it could be a way to get closer to his son. Brummer explained to an Inside Soap journalist that Troy insists he is a changed man as he has been through anger management and plans to turn his life around. When Toadie learns Troy is back, he invites him to a meeting in his office, without telling Sonya. He makes it clear to Troy that he does not trust him and he will not be allowed near Callum. Sonya learns Troy is back after Callum lets it slip and she is annoyed that Toadie withheld the news from her. Troy's return causes tension between them. Brummer commented that Sonya does not believe her ex has changed and she warns him to stay away from her son. Troy then announces that he is going to fight Sonya for joint custody of Callum. The actor added Sonya and Toadie are "left in no doubt about his determination" when they discover he has hired their friend Ajay Kapoor (Sachin Joab) to represent him.
Andrew Mercado of TV Week observed Sonya, Toadie and Callum were not the only characters reeling from the news that Troy is back – with Jade also seemingly horrified at his return. In "an explosive development", it was revealed Troy was Jade's abusive ex-boyfriend who she had mentioned in past discussions with her partner, Kyle Canning (Chris Milligan). Following a confrontation between Toadie and Troy, a pregnant Sonya collapses putting her unborn child's life at risk. Morey commented that she was stressed out just reading the scripts for the scenes. Toadie loses control and punches Troy when he taunts him about Sonya's pregnancy. Troy immediately goes to the police and takes out a restraining order against Toadie. Morey told TV Week's Jackie Brygel and Gavin Scott "Sonya sees Troy as the devil incarnate - a man who has only ever wanted harmful things to happen to her. He really epitomises the blackness of Sonya's past and he's affecting everyone she loves." When she hears the news of the order against Toadie, Sonya's body shuts down because of the amount of stress she is under and she collapses. Later at the hospital, Sonya is given the all-clear.
Siege and departure