Home and Away to Hollywood: Eight Summer Bay alumni making it in Tinseltown

SAMARA WEAVING

Played: Indi Walker

Now: Nelson Rose in SMILF

It’s impressive when you stand out in a crowd. It’s even more impressive when that crowd includes Rosie O’Donnell, Frankie Shaw and Connie Britton. As part of the SMILF cast, which airs on Stan, Samara has been holding her own against some seriously talented co-stars. She stole the show in the first season and is set to return for the second instalment when it drops later this year. Meanwhile, the 26-year-old also appeared in the Foxtel reboot of Picnic At Hanging Rock, as well as the Netflix horror-comedy The Babysitter. Cap that off with a notable cameo in the Oscar-winning Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and it’s been a heck of a year for Samara. Looking back at her H&A days, you can’t help but feel there was something cosmic in her character’s exit. Indi left the show in 2013, wanting to explore the world and find her next big opportunity. Done and done.

LUKE MITCHELL

Played: Romeo Smith

Now: Roman Briggs in Blindspot

Oh, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo? H&A fans will remember Luke as the hunky heart-throb Romeo, who spent much of his time on the show breaking hearts and not wearing a T-shirt. Luke left the show in 2013 after Romeo lost a battle with cancer and passed away. Since then, the 33-year-old has notched up stints in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and, more recently, NBC’s Blindspot, alongside fellow Aussie Sullivan Stapleton.

ELIZA SCANLEN

Played: Tabitha Ford

Now: Amma Crellin in Sharp Objects

Every so often, a show comes along that’s on everyone’s lips. The hype surrounding Sharp Objects is great news for the 19-year-old Sydneysider, who has gone from unknown actress to talked-about star in a matter of months. Back in 2016, Eliza completed a 15-episode stint in H&A, playing slightly unhinged teen Tabitha. Fast-forward to today and Sharp Objects sees Eliza playing the on-screen daughter of Patricia Clarkson and sharing the screen with Amy Adams. Since the miniseries premiered, Eliza’s profile has skyrocketed, critics are running out of superlatives to describe her performance and she’s being tipped to star in a reboot of Little Women.

TEAGAN CROFT

Played: Bella Loneragan

Now: Raven in Titans

At just 13, Teagan has arguably landed the kind of dream job most people spend their whole careers chasing. The teen star is set to line up alongside fellow H&A graduate Brenton Thwaites when DC’s latest series Titans drops later this year. The show, which follows a group of teenage superheroes, is tipped to be a big deal in the States, which is good news for Teagan. It was just two years ago that she appeared in six episodes in H&A as wild child Bella. She also happens to be the niece of Penny McNamee, who plays Summer Bay doc Tori.

JORDAN RODRIGUES

Played: Jai Fernandez

Now: Trey in Light As A Feather

It’s been 10 years since Jordan set foot in Summer Bay. He hung around a little over a year, playing runaway foster kid Jai Fernandez. But in that time it was clear he had serious acting chops. He went on to become a fan favourite in ABC’s Dance Academy, and now Jordan, 26, is hitting his straps. A small part in the critically acclaimed indie flick Lady Bird earlier this year put him on the map and he’s now joined the cast of Light As A Feather, a new supernatural series headed to Hulu.

LINCOLN YOUNES

Played: Casey Braxton

Now: Danny in Grand Hotel

If Eva Longoria sees something special in you, well, then you know you’ve made it. The Desperate Housewives star is the executive producer on Grand Hotel, a big-money crime drama set to arrive on screens later this year in the US. Since casting 26-year-old Lincoln, who played Summer Bay bad boy Casey for three years, Eva has taken the star under her wing, the pair developing an unlikely friendship. With a shiny network drama under his belt and the backing of a Hollywood heavyweight pal, the future looks bright for Lincoln.

KASSANDRA CLEMENTI

Played: Maddy Osborne

Now: Crystal in UnREAL

If you haven’t watched UnREAL yet, then check out Stan and begin the binge. The art-imitating-life-imitating-love series is the kind of finger-on-the- pulse viewing that we need more of. A big part of that comes down to the cast – Constance Zimmer, who plays Quinn, is a force to be reckoned with. But also bringing the goods is Adelaide-born actress Kassandra – her first big role since leaving H&A in 2016 – who pops up in season three, bringing a new edge to the show. While UnREAL has just wrapped its final season, don’t be surprised to see 27-year-old Kassandra’s unreal journey continue.

PHOEBE TONKIN

Played: Adrian Hall

Now: Delphine in The Affair

Her time in H&A was short and sweet – she played pet store employee Adrian for just seven episodes – but Phoebe didn’t waste the opportunity the exposure gave her. Since relocating Stateside, the 29-year-old has been a series regular in CW’s The Originals as well as The Vampire Diaries. But she’s just booked her biggest job to date, landing a spot as Cole’s (Joshua Jackson) latest love interest, Delphine, on the fourth season of hit Showtime drama The Affair.