Maggie (Kestie Morassi)
Over the years, Kestie Morassi has often debated whether she should give up acting. And like clockwork, the actress goes on to score a leading role.
Perhaps the universe is giving her a sign, because Kestie, 38, has starred in hit shows such as Offspring, Neighbours, The Doctor Blake Mysteries and Underbelly – to name just a few. In fact, it was Underbelly where she first met Rohan, her on-screen husband in H&A.
Now, the AFI Award-nominated star is taking on the role of protective mother Maggie. Despite having troubled teenagers, she will do anything to keep them safe – and within arm’s length.
Prediction: Maggie will set out to find work in town and land behind the bench of the famous Diner.
Kestie starred alongside Marcus Graham in Underbelly.
Coco (Anna Cocquerel)
If there’s a star to watch in 2017, it’s 16-year-old Anna Cocquerel.
Hailing from a family of actors, Anna has been inspired by watching her older siblings – Thomas, Emilie and Elsa – make their mark in Hollywood. Now, she’s hoping to do the same with her role as rebellious teen Coco Astoni.
Aside from starring in a short film in 2014, Home And Away is Anna’s big acting debut.
Prediction: We haven’t seen trouble at Summer Bay High for a while. But with Coco’s past, expect some livelier lessons.
Ben (Rohan Nichol)
Among his long list of acting credits are All Saints, A Place To Call Home, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge Of The Sith and the latest instalment of Pirates Of The Caribbean. But Rohan has also visited Summer Bay before. Long-term fans may remember him as Stafford McRae, a personal assistant who wreaked havoc in 2004.
Now, after living in the US for three years, the 40-year-old is back on home soil to play the Astoni family patriarch, Ben. As a husband and father-of-two, the role is a perfect fit for the actor.
Prediction: Now Nate (Kyle Pryor) has left town, Alf (Ray Meagher) doesn’t have a confidant to chat to. Perhaps Ben could fill the void and learn the ways of the Bay?
Rohan with Jenni Baird in A Place To Call Home.
Ziggy (Sophie Dillman)
With blonde hair, blue eyes and a year-round tan, Brisbane-born Sophie Dillman is a natural fit for Summer Bay. Having only worked in small theatre productions and TV commercials, the role of Ziggy Astoni is her first in a TV series.
Despite her obvious talent, Sophie was reluctant to put all her eggs in one basket. The 24-year-old followed in her mum’s footsteps to complete a nursing degree. In fact, it was during a shift that Sophie got the call to swap her scrubs for swimwear!
Prediction: Her dramatic arrival in the Bay is just the start of what we might see from this wild child. Plus, with bad-boy Brody (Jackson Heywood) on her radar, will these strangers become lovers? We think so!
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