Home and Away is an Australian soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in 1993, by order of first appearance. They were all introduced by the show's then executive producer Andrew Howie, who had succeeded Des Monaghan. The 6th season of Home and Away began airing on 11 January 1993. In January, John Adam and Laura Vazquez began appearing as Luke Cunningham and Sarah Thompson, respectively. Melissa George arrived in March playing Angel Brooks, while Imogen Miller was introduced in April. David Dixon began playing Nathan Roberts in October. Simon Baker took on the role of James Hudson in November.
Opening titles timeline Color key Main cast (opening credits) Recurring guest star (closing credits in 3+ episodes) Guest star (closing credits in 1–2 episodes)
Character Actor 1993 1146–1210 1211–1305 1306–1375 Pippa Fletcher Debra Lawrence colspan="3" Sally Fletcher Kate Ritchie colspan="3" Ailsa Stewart Judy Nunn colspan="3" Alf Stewart Ray Meagher colspan="3" Bobby Simpson Nicolle Dickson colspan="2" colspan="1" Donald Fisher Norman Coburn colspan="3" Adam Cameron Mat Stevenson colspan="3" Michael Ross Dennis Coard colspan="3" Nick Parrish Bruce Roberts colspan="3" Finlay Roberts Tina Thomsen colspan="3" Greg Marshall Ross Newton colspan="2" Sam Marshall Ryan Clark colspan="3" Damian Roberts Matt Doran colspan="3" Shane Parrish Dieter Brummer colspan="3" Luke Cunningham John Adam colspan="3" Roxanne Miller Lisa Lackey colspan="3" Tug O'Neale Tristan Bancks colspan="3" Sarah Thompson Laura Vasquez colspan="3" Angel Brooks Melissa George colspan="1" colspan="2"
Luke Cunningham
Luke Cunningham, played by John Adam, made his first appearance on 12 January 1993 and departed on 27 July 1994. Adam previously guest starred in the serial in 1990 as soldier Dave Porter. In 1994, Adam was axed along with the characters of Sarah Thompson (Laura Vasquez), Tug O'Neale (Tristan Bancks) and Roxanne Miller (Lisa Lackey). The Serial's Producers did not inform them about their departures and they read about it in an issue of TV Week.
Luke arrives in Summer Bay after taking a teaching post at the high school. His busking annoys Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) and Michael Ross (Dennis Coard) who resolve to drive him out of town but Luke's new colleague Roxanne Miller informs them who he is and Michael agrees to rent a caravan to him. Luke offers saxophone lessons to Sam Marshall (Ryan Clark) and helps Damian Roberts (Matt Doran) with his training. He is also instrumental in getting Sarah Thompson and Angel Brooks (Melissa George) enrolled at school. Luke and Roxy become friends and begin dating. Roxy's sister Imogen (Sofie Formica) makes a play for Luke but he turns her down and she conspires to split them up by playing mind games with them. Ailsa Stewart (Judy Nunn) discovers Imogen's true intentions and Imogen leaves. Luke's mentally disabled brother, Bill (Craig Beamer) comes to visit. Luke feels responsible for his condition as he was meant to be watching Bill when he nearly drowned. He becomes over protective of Bill and disapproves of his friendship with Finlay Roberts (Tina Thomsen) as Bill is clearly attracted to her and he feels that he would not be able to cope with his feelings. Bill runs away after being caught by Michael in Fin's room while she is asleep. Bill is found after a gruelling search and Luke decides to send him to stay with their aunt. This proves to be the end for Luke and Roxy's relationship as he has been focused on Bill. Luke and Roxy remain working together closely and take charge of the school musical. The musical is a disaster when Shane Parrish (Dieter Brummer) and Tug O'Neale come to blows, forcing the show to be cancelled.
Luke and Bobby Marshall (Nicolle Dickson) accept a boat ride from Adam Cameron (Mat Stevenson) at the Bay's carnival. Luke warns Adam to slow down but it is too late and he hits a log causing the three of them to be thrown from the boat. Luke suffers cracked ribs while Bobby sustains a head injury which leaves her comatose and she is later declared brain dead. Luke urges Adam to make a confession. Bobby's widower Greg (Ross Newton) then leaves Summer Bay and rents the Beach House to Luke and Roxy, who inherit Tug as a fellow boarder. Luke's feelings for Roxy resurface but she rebuffs him after he kisses her. His mood is not helped when new janitor Nathan Roberts (David Dixon) begins antagonising him. Luke grabs Nathan after he goads him and Nathan alleges Luke hit him. After failing to convince anyone of his innocence, Luke quits. He is exonerated when Nathan is arrested for stealing from the school but Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn) tells him he will have to reapply. James Hudson (Simon Baker) ends up taking Luke's job and dating Roxy much to his ire. However, within several weeks James leaves the Bay and Luke is rehired.
Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger) buys the house and lets Luke and Tug stay as her tenants. After Irene sleepwalks into Luke's bedroom, He worries she is attracted to him and he talks to her about it, only Irene begins to think he is after her. Luke and Irene have a further misunderstanding when Luke plays a joke on Irene by inviting Donald to dinner and convincing her she likes him. However, the plan backfires. Luke notices Tug is dyslexic and persuades him to go back to school. He then suggests Tug take classes with tutor Beth Armstrong (Toni Pearen).
Donald's daughter Rebecca (Danielle Carter) takes a job at the school and Luke seems interested in her but the fact Donald disapproves of her having a relationship causes him to steer clear. When they do eventually get together, Luke decides he is not that keen and ends things. Although Rebecca ultimately forgives him, Donald is furious that she has been humiliated and begins making life difficult for Luke. Upon learning his mother has fallen ill, Luke resigns to go and take care of Bill in the city but clears the air with Donald before leaving.
"Channel 5 chose the episode featuring Luke's debut as one of their favourite ever Home and Away episodes". In 2018, Alan Loughnane from Joe critiqued Luke's characterisation stating that "Luke Cunningham was getting far too cheeky with Alf back in the day. Although, if we had that glorious hair, we'd probably be insufferably cocky as well."
Sarah Thompson
Sarah Thompson, portrayed by Laura Vasquez, made her first appearance on 26 January 1993 and departed in October 1994. Vasquez returned in 1995 and 2005 to guest star. She described her "biggest breakthrough" career wise as her final screen test for the role of Sarah. In 1994, Vasquez left Home and Away to pursue a career in music. But a writer from TV Week claimed that Vasquez discovered that Sarah was being written out after they published the story in their magazine. Lisa Anthony of BIG! Magazine said that "quiet" Sarah and "tough" Tug were not an obvious match. The episodes featuring the climax of Tug and Shane's feud where Sarah is caught in the middle at the school musical were nominated for "Best Television Episode in a Serial Drama".
Angel Parrish
Angel Parrish portrayed by Melissa George, made her first appearance on 30 March 1993 and departed on 30 August 1996. George and a friend, Cara Mitchinson both acted in a mock episode of Home and Away with a video camera playing Bobby and Sophie Simpson respectively. When the offer of a role on the serial came, George's parents convinced her to relocate from her native Perth to Sydney and she began lodging with families. George met with casting director Liz Mullinar and was subsequently cast in the role. George's portrayal of Angel earned her "Most Popular New Talent" and "Most Popular Actress" Logie Awards.
Imogen Miller
Imogen Miller, played by Sofie Formica, made her first appearance on 15 April 1993. Home and Away marked Formica's first acting job in a major television series. She was offered the role shortly after she interviewed Lisa Lackey for another show. Formica was contracted for six weeks.
Imogen is Roxanne Miller's (Lackey) younger, adopted sister. She arrived in Summer Bay with "a chip on her shoulder the size of Ayers Rock" due to living in the shadow of her more successful sister. Formica commented that anything Roxy had, Imogen wanted including her boyfriend Luke Cunningham (John Adam). Formica explained, "Part of it is that she really fancies him, but I think the real reason is that he's her sister's boyfriend. Imogen is a little bit bitter and twisted and there's a great rivalry between the two sisters." Formica enjoyed playing Imogen, as she was so dissimilar to herself. She also called Imogen "a total bitch".
Imogen tries to seduce Roxy's boyfriend Luke Cunningham, but he rebuffs her. Roxy tries to set Imogen up with Nick Parrish (Bruce Roberts), who is interested in her but Imogen is firmly set on Luke and tries to get him alone at every opportunity. She begins stealing Roxy's exam papers and sabotaging her cakes in order to make her look bad. It is discovered that Imogen has resented Roxy for years due to jealousy. Ailsa Stewart (Judy Nunn) quickly sees through Imogen's innocent act. Roxy reaches out to her but Imogen rejects her help and leaves town telling her she will never see her again.
Kevin Baker
Kevin Baker, played by Wesley Patten, made his first appearance on 13 August 1993. Patten was the serial's first Aboriginal actor. He felt it was "about time", explaining that Australian soaps are shown all around the world, and viewers think Australia is "a white middle class suburb." Home and Away also marked the first time Patten had been cast as "a well written, fully rounded character", following a guest appearance in A Country Practice. Patten's casting attracted attention in Australian media, as a lot of Aboriginal actors were being cast in period shows and films, and his role was considered "pretty radical". Kevin and his brother Lenny Baker (Michael Watson) rescue Roxanne Miller (Lisa Lackey) and Sarah Thompson (Laura Vasquez) when their car breaks down and they become stranded. Patten described his character as "a really nice guy – he'll do anything to help anyone and he really sticks by his brother." Patten was keen to stay with Home and Away for longer, but producers took fan mail and viewer feedback into account before extending contracts, and he admitted that his kind of fans did not write into a soap.
Kevin is the younger brother of mechanic Lenny Baker (Watson). When Lenny helps Roxanne Miller (Lackey) and Sarah Thompson (Vasquez) with their car, Roxy suggests Kevin enrol in Summer Bay High and Lenny agrees. On his first day, Kevin is involved in argument with Shane Parrish (Dieter Brummer) and there is ill-feeling between the two which culminates in a series of dares; one of which is to abseil down the local lighthouse. Kevin and Shane's hostility ceases when Shane notices Kevin has a talent for painting and talks him into a money making scheme. However, Kevin feels uncomfortable and destroys a painting. Shane then backs out of the business in order to salvage their friendship.
Nathan Roberts
Nathan Roberts, played by David Dixon, made his first appearance on 18 October 1993. and departed on 4 February 1994. When the character returned in 2002, Craig Ball was cast in the role.