Rachel Armstrong
Encyclopedia
Rachel Holden is a fictional character
from the Australian Channel Seven
soap opera
Home and Away
, played by Amy Mathews
. Rachel debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 16 January 2006. In 2010 Mathews quit the serial to pursue other projects and her on-screen husband Tony Holden was also written out. Rachel has been described as "work driven and professional" and a "sharp mind". Her storylines include a failed marriage to Kim Hyde
, her marriage to Tony and suffering post-natal depression. Rachel went on a downward spiral following the death of her mother and a helicopter crash which she blamed herself for. Rachel committed crimes such as assault, drink driving and taking pills and alcohol. Rachel has also been kidnapped a total of four times throughout her duration.
(Ada Nicodemou
).
In 2010 Mathews quit the serial to pursue other projects and it was revealed that producers had decided to write out Jon Sivewright
who plays on-screen husband Tony Holden. Commenting on their exits a spokesperson for the serial stated: "Amy Mathews is definitely going in a few months' time. Then, with Amy's character Rachel out of the picture, it was decided Tony should go with her, so Jon Sivewright is leaving too." Fellow cast member Rebecca Breeds who plays Ruby Buckton
in the serial spoke out about their departures stating: "In terms of character, to see Tony and Rachel go is kind of upsetting because they fill a really important demographic - that middle-aged, new family thing and there's nothing like that on the show now so they're a loss."
(Chris Hemsworth
) stating: "He was really great and we had a great time, it was terrific to have the longevity of the working relationship in a marriage with him. But I am looking forward to what happens with Tony or with someone else."
Rachel becomes central to a main storyline in which a stalker begins attacking females working at the hospital. Rachel later discovers that Reverend John Hall (Paul Tassone
) is responsible when he takes her hostage. Mathews said that Revered Hall grudge against people who he thinks have acted immoral. In Rachel's case Reverend Hall believes Rachel is a sinner because she had a miscarriage and wasn't married to the baby's father Lewis Rigg (Luke Carroll
). Reverend Hall also thinks that Rachel should sacrifice her own life "in exchange for the baby's". Reverend Hall begins to convulse and Rachel is given a "lifeline". Rachel goes as far to call for help and in hospital he is diagnosed with a brain tumour. Rachel realises his condition has attributed to his behaviour. Mathews said Rachel is the only one who can understand Reverend Hall's behaviour, because she is a doctor. She true to Rachel's nature she even "goes as far to forgive him", but she is alone as the other locals persecute him and the church.
A big storyline for Rachel was suffering post-natal depression following the birth of Harry. While Rachel is pregnant and does not take any maternity leave. One of her patients Jane Avent (Felicity Price) loses her baby while Rachel is on duty and subsequently files a lawsuit against Rachel. When Rachel gave birth to a son named Harry, Mathews told TV Week that Rachel would begin to behave differently. Rachel feels "completely overwhelmed" and it was something she could not prepare for. While Tony is okay as he previously had children. However Jane begins to harras Rachel, Mathews said that Jane does not think it is fair that Rachel gets to keep her baby. She also stated that everyone is unsure that Rachel should have remained in work while heavily pregnant. As the storyline progresses, Rachel becomes more "possesive and controlling" over Harry and "abuses" Tony for not keeping her informed about him. Rachel shows a "side" of herself that no one has ever seen before. The lawsuit makes Rachel's anxiety worse and Mathews opined that Rachel and Tony's relationship turned bad because "they couldn't be further apart" while she goes through post-natal depression. Mathews stated "For Rachel to be cranky and sad for so long was really hard. I felt bad for Rachel and for the viewers constantly seeing me wailing!"
), and half-sister, Tamsyn Armstrong (Gabrielle Scollay
). Before starting her first shift Rachel finds Kim unconscious and saves him. Rachel is assigned as Kim's psych registrar and she begins to feel attracted to him. She suggests he see someone else, but Kim decides to stay because he feels attracted to her. Rachel is sexually harassed by Doctor Helpman (John Noble
). Rachel turns to Kim for comfort and they begin a relationship. Helpman threatens to report Rachel for her affair with Kim if he doesn't sleep with him so she reports him and comes clean about her relationship. Rachel is struck of the psych registry, but is later given a new job in the Accident and Emergency department. Rachel is annoyed when her father briefly works at the hospital.
Kim's new friend Charlie begins spending a plenty of time with them. Charlie soon becomes infatuated with Kim and starts dressing up like him and becoming possessive. Charlie later takes Rachel kidnaps Rachel. Rachel hits Charlie with a pipe causing him to seizure, she decides to save his life. She blames herself for not noticing his issues sooner. At Martha MacKenzie (Jodi Gordon
) and Jack Holden's (Paul O'Brien
) wedding reception Zoe McCallister (Emily Perry
) causes a massive explosion at the venue. Rachel's mother Elaine Armstrong (Julie Hudspeth) dies in the explosion, leaving Rachel confused in her grief however she carried on helping the injured. She arranged a helicopter to take the seriously injured including Kim to the City for further treatment. The helicopter crashes in a storm and everyone is presumed dead. Fearing death Kim sleeps with Kit Hunter
(Amy Mizzi
). Everyone blames Rachel for the crash, she believes it's her fault. She starts going on drinking binges and taking large amounts of tablets. She is arrested for drunk driving. Leah tries to help her, but an insulted Rachel slaps Leah in the face and tries to fight her. Brad tries to stop Rachel from her drinking. Rachel is later found passed out after an overdose of drugs and drink. Kim is saved and admits his affair, Rachel forgives him. Rachel wants children when she feels better but Kim doesn't which strains their relationship Kim is accused of sexually assaulting Tara O'Neil (Cashelle Dunn), but it is revealed she lied.
Kim and Rachel marry, try to adopt a baby called Joe until his mother Lee returns to take him off the pair. Kit reveals she is pregnant and when she has the baby Kim takes Kit's side on many things. Hugh Sullivan (Rodger Corser
), Rachel's ex turns up, they sleep together. Hugh leaves Rachel alone after she won't leave Kim, she tells Kim the truth who then refuses to forgive her and tells her he is going to live with Kit because he loves her instead.
Brad's best man Henk Van Patten (Damian de Montemas) arrives in town and starts a relationship with Cassie Turner
(Sharni Vinson
), leaving Rachel furious and reveals he sexually assaulted her when she was younger. A stalker becomes active targeting the hospital. Rachel starts a relationship with Lewis and becomes pregnant. He wants nothing to do with her, Rachel miscarries and Lewis decides he wants the baby after all. Sam Holden
(Jessica Chapnik
) accuses Lewis of being the hospital stalker, Reverend Hall offers Rachel a lift home and she gladly accepts. He reveals he is the stalker and ties her up, gagging her. He tries to hurt her but collapses and has a fit, Rachel saves his life.
Rachel grows close to Roman Harris (Conrad Coleby
) but after he reminds her of Kim she decides to date Tony Holden. Tony is told the likely hood he can help Rachel conceive for a child is low, however they later are delighted when she becomes pregnant. Rachel's patient Jimmy begins to stalk her and Aden Jefferies
(Todd Lasance
) kidnaps her and tries to kill his father. Belle Taylor
(Jessica Tovey
) and Rachel talk Aden out of this and she is set free. Tony thought she missed the wedding because she loved Hugh still, but they later reconcile. Baby Joe comes back into Rachel's life after his mother goes missing. She looks after him for a while, but he is sent away again leaving Rachel upset because she bonded with him again. Rachel later finds out he has died leaving her devastated. Following Jack Holden's (Paul O'Brien
) death Rachel and Tony's relationship becomes strained. Rachel starts to suspect that Tony is having an affair. They later repair their relationship after Tony realises his anger is out of control. Later in 2009 they married and had a baby son, Harry. She tries to get him in a routine but is annoyed at everyone for visiting. She feels like a bad mother because Harry never stops crying. Rachel begins to suffer post-natal depression, she becomes stressed and starts taking it out on those closest to her. Rachel contemplates smothering Harry and then her friends convince her to seek help.
She returned to work at the hospital to clear her head, a patient called Jane goes into labour but her baby dies. She blames Rachel because of her standard of treatment. Rachel is suspended whilst under investigation. She tries to ruin her career and harass Rachel. Jane kidnaps Harry and he is gone for days. Charlie Buckton
(Esther Anderson) eventually tracks Harry down and returns him home safely. Rachel wrongly diagnoses a child with deafness, becomes friendly with the father, she becomes angry at Tony for selling his share in the gym because of the not so good financial status. Rachel becomes annoyed at Tony's feud with John Palmer
(Shane Withington
) and his subsequent obsession with boxing, all of which strains their relationship. They later become happier than ever and Rachel leaves to take a job in Boston working for an old friend from medical school, taking Tony and Harry with her.
. Soap opera reporting website Holy Soap
describe Rachel's most memorable moment as being: "Being taken hostage by the Believers cult, who tried to force her to deliver Tasha's baby." They also pass comment on the fact Rachel has been kidnapped four times calling it a staggering amount. Upon Rachel and Tony's departure, the website also admitted they were fans of Rachel and Tony stating: "If anyone deserves true love, then it's these two! There were sighs of relief all round when they finally tied the knot (their first attempt having been ruined by another pesky kidnapping) and they later welcomed beautiful baby son Harry."
Yvette Chegwidden writing for TV Week
said that Rachel and Tony "said a sad farewell". She opined that it looked like the couple were going to end up in "splitsville" but "thankfully" Tony came to his senses. While Chegwidden noted that their exit "wasn't the most dramatic", she opined that viewers were "pleased is was a happy one".
Jaci Stephen of the Daily Mail
has been critical of Rachel. Stephen has said that Rachel has a ubiquitous medical presence. When Rachel returned to work after Jane's lawsuit, Stephen said that her patients should get their "medical insurance claim forms out". She continued her criticism by jesting that there could be a link "between the level of sickness and the fact that Rachel is pretty much the only doctor who ever treats anyone." She later said that Tony should have had a special clause titled "Get Out of This Marriage Quickly If You Want To" written into their marriage papers. Stephen also thought it was unbelievable when Rachel said she would work extra shifts to help Tony's finances because she seems to be working "24/7" shifts already. When Rachel left, she quipped that everyone should avoid falling ill, and questioned how they would cope without "Australia's only psychologist/gynaecologist/paediatrician". As Rachel visited Jack's grave, she said that he would not be turning in his grave at the thought of her leaving, rather "breathing a sigh of relief".
Character (arts)
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the Australian Channel Seven
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Home and Away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
, played by Amy Mathews
Amy Mathews
Amy Mathews is an Australian television, film and theatre actress. She is best known for her role as Rachel Armstrong in Australian soap opera Home and Away.-Early life:...
. Rachel debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 16 January 2006. In 2010 Mathews quit the serial to pursue other projects and her on-screen husband Tony Holden was also written out. Rachel has been described as "work driven and professional" and a "sharp mind". Her storylines include a failed marriage to Kim Hyde
Kim Hyde
Kimberly Jonathan "Kim" Hyde is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Chris Hemsworth. He made his first on screen appearance on 17 February 2004 and departed on 3 July 2007.-Casting:...
, her marriage to Tony and suffering post-natal depression. Rachel went on a downward spiral following the death of her mother and a helicopter crash which she blamed herself for. Rachel committed crimes such as assault, drink driving and taking pills and alcohol. Rachel has also been kidnapped a total of four times throughout her duration.
Casting
Mathews joined Home and Away in 2006, Rachel was introduced as an old friend of Leah Patterson-BakerLeah Patterson-Baker
Leah Helena Adara Patterson-Baker is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Ada Nicodemou. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 22 March 2000...
(Ada Nicodemou
Ada Nicodemou
Ada Nicodemou is a Greek Cypriot-born Australian actress, best known for her role as Leah Patterson-Baker in the soap opera Home and Away.-Early life:Nicodemou was born in Larnaca, Cyprus. She has been an Australian resident since 1987....
).
In 2010 Mathews quit the serial to pursue other projects and it was revealed that producers had decided to write out Jon Sivewright
Jon Sivewright
Jon Sivewright in Fremantle is an Australian actor. He is best known for portraying Tony Holden inHome and Away, a role he played from 2005–2010- Biography :...
who plays on-screen husband Tony Holden. Commenting on their exits a spokesperson for the serial stated: "Amy Mathews is definitely going in a few months' time. Then, with Amy's character Rachel out of the picture, it was decided Tony should go with her, so Jon Sivewright is leaving too." Fellow cast member Rebecca Breeds who plays Ruby Buckton
Ruby Buckton
Ruby Buckton is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Rebecca Breeds. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 6 June 2008. Ruby was created by executive producer Cameron Welsh. When she was first introduced she appeared to hide her...
in the serial spoke out about their departures stating: "In terms of character, to see Tony and Rachel go is kind of upsetting because they fill a really important demographic - that middle-aged, new family thing and there's nothing like that on the show now so they're a loss."
Characterisation
The serial's official website describe Rachel stating: "She has great instincts for people and has a sharp mind; she’s fiercely independent and has great strength of character." Of Rachel's persona, Mathews states: "Rachel is outgoing and fun with a sharp mind and good instincts for people. She has incredible strength and is fiercely independent. She has strong values and definite ideas about right and wrong but she is also a romantic at heart." Mathews has stated the likeness of herself and Rachel stating: "I wish I was more like my character- she's so together! As far as personality goes, she's really driven, and she's professional. [...] Rachel's a really bad cook, and I'm a good cook."Storyline development
In her later years Rachel embarked on an unexpected relationship with Tony, of this Mathews states: "It's a surprise love interest, someone who is not Rachel's type which is great because I think we should all try expanding our narrow type registers, thankfully, Jon and I know each other quite well, so it's no big deal." Mathews also recalled Rachel's relationship with Kim HydeKim Hyde
Kimberly Jonathan "Kim" Hyde is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Chris Hemsworth. He made his first on screen appearance on 17 February 2004 and departed on 3 July 2007.-Casting:...
(Chris Hemsworth
Chris Hemsworth
Chris Hemsworth is an Australian actor most notable for portraying Thor in the Marvel Studios film Thor. Hemsworth is set to reprise his role as Thor in the upcoming films The Avengers in 2012 and Thor 2 in 2013. He also starred as Kim Hyde in the Australian soap opera Home and Away...
) stating: "He was really great and we had a great time, it was terrific to have the longevity of the working relationship in a marriage with him. But I am looking forward to what happens with Tony or with someone else."
Rachel becomes central to a main storyline in which a stalker begins attacking females working at the hospital. Rachel later discovers that Reverend John Hall (Paul Tassone
Paul Tassone
Paul Tassone is an Australian actor most known for his work as Nelson Curtis on All Saints, an Australian hospital drama. In late 2007-2008, he played a reverend who turned out to be a violent stalker as a result of a brain tumor on Home and Away...
) is responsible when he takes her hostage. Mathews said that Revered Hall grudge against people who he thinks have acted immoral. In Rachel's case Reverend Hall believes Rachel is a sinner because she had a miscarriage and wasn't married to the baby's father Lewis Rigg (Luke Carroll
Luke Carroll
-Television and film:Carroll started out in guest roles in some Australian shows, including The Flying Doctors, Lift Off, The Man from Snowy River, Ocean Girl and Water Rats....
). Reverend Hall also thinks that Rachel should sacrifice her own life "in exchange for the baby's". Reverend Hall begins to convulse and Rachel is given a "lifeline". Rachel goes as far to call for help and in hospital he is diagnosed with a brain tumour. Rachel realises his condition has attributed to his behaviour. Mathews said Rachel is the only one who can understand Reverend Hall's behaviour, because she is a doctor. She true to Rachel's nature she even "goes as far to forgive him", but she is alone as the other locals persecute him and the church.
A big storyline for Rachel was suffering post-natal depression following the birth of Harry. While Rachel is pregnant and does not take any maternity leave. One of her patients Jane Avent (Felicity Price) loses her baby while Rachel is on duty and subsequently files a lawsuit against Rachel. When Rachel gave birth to a son named Harry, Mathews told TV Week that Rachel would begin to behave differently. Rachel feels "completely overwhelmed" and it was something she could not prepare for. While Tony is okay as he previously had children. However Jane begins to harras Rachel, Mathews said that Jane does not think it is fair that Rachel gets to keep her baby. She also stated that everyone is unsure that Rachel should have remained in work while heavily pregnant. As the storyline progresses, Rachel becomes more "possesive and controlling" over Harry and "abuses" Tony for not keeping her informed about him. Rachel shows a "side" of herself that no one has ever seen before. The lawsuit makes Rachel's anxiety worse and Mathews opined that Rachel and Tony's relationship turned bad because "they couldn't be further apart" while she goes through post-natal depression. Mathews stated "For Rachel to be cranky and sad for so long was really hard. I felt bad for Rachel and for the viewers constantly seeing me wailing!"
Storylines
Rachel is a doctor who is introduced as an old school friend of Leah. She has a brother, Brad Armstrong (Chris SadrinnaChris Sadrinna
Chris Sadrinna is an Australian actor.He appeared in Home and Away as Brad Armstrong, during 2006 and 2007. Sadrinna played Lucy in the movie Garage Days, and also starred in Ivan Sen's debut feature film Beneath Clouds. Both movies also featured Holly Brisley, his fellow cast member in Home and...
), and half-sister, Tamsyn Armstrong (Gabrielle Scollay
Gabrielle Scollay
Gabrielle Scollay is an Australian actress who is best known for the role of Amy in the second season of the television series Blue Water High.-Filmography:*Rescue: Special Ops as Kate Marchelo...
). Before starting her first shift Rachel finds Kim unconscious and saves him. Rachel is assigned as Kim's psych registrar and she begins to feel attracted to him. She suggests he see someone else, but Kim decides to stay because he feels attracted to her. Rachel is sexually harassed by Doctor Helpman (John Noble
John Noble
John Noble is an Australian film and television actor, and theater director of more than 80 plays. He was born in Port Pirie, South Australia, Australia and is currently starring as scientist Walter Bishop in the J. J. Abrams television series Fringe.He made occasional appearances on the...
). Rachel turns to Kim for comfort and they begin a relationship. Helpman threatens to report Rachel for her affair with Kim if he doesn't sleep with him so she reports him and comes clean about her relationship. Rachel is struck of the psych registry, but is later given a new job in the Accident and Emergency department. Rachel is annoyed when her father briefly works at the hospital.
Kim's new friend Charlie begins spending a plenty of time with them. Charlie soon becomes infatuated with Kim and starts dressing up like him and becoming possessive. Charlie later takes Rachel kidnaps Rachel. Rachel hits Charlie with a pipe causing him to seizure, she decides to save his life. She blames herself for not noticing his issues sooner. At Martha MacKenzie (Jodi Gordon
Jodi Gordon
Jodi Lee Gordon is an Australian actress and model.-Early life:Gordon was born in Mackay to Bronwyn and Ray. She has an older brother, Ben. Her father was born in New Zealand and is of Māori descent. From the age of 8, Gordon's family moved to various locations along the coast from Mackay,...
) and Jack Holden's (Paul O'Brien
Paul O'Brien
Paul O'Brien is a South-African-born Australian actor.-Biography:Paul O'Brien was born on 14 April in South Africa, and grew up in Australia. He spent several years on the Gold Coast, with his family...
) wedding reception Zoe McCallister (Emily Perry
Emily Perry
Emily Perry is an Australian actress.She began her acting career in 1998 as a regular character for two years on the TV series, Breakers. In 2005, she landed a four-month recurring guest role on Home and Away, playing "Zoe McCallister"...
) causes a massive explosion at the venue. Rachel's mother Elaine Armstrong (Julie Hudspeth) dies in the explosion, leaving Rachel confused in her grief however she carried on helping the injured. She arranged a helicopter to take the seriously injured including Kim to the City for further treatment. The helicopter crashes in a storm and everyone is presumed dead. Fearing death Kim sleeps with Kit Hunter
Kit Hunter
Catherine Matilda "Kit" Hunter is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Amy Mizzi. Kit made her first on-screen appearance on 25 April 2003 and made her final appearence as a regular character in February 2004 but continued to reappear in a...
(Amy Mizzi
Amy Mizzi
Amy Mizzi is an Australian actress. She starred as Kit Hunter in the Australian soap opera Home and Away in 2003 and early 2004. Mizzi's departure from Home and Away was announced on 13 February 2004 but she continued to appear on a recurring basis throughout 2004 and returned in August 2005...
). Everyone blames Rachel for the crash, she believes it's her fault. She starts going on drinking binges and taking large amounts of tablets. She is arrested for drunk driving. Leah tries to help her, but an insulted Rachel slaps Leah in the face and tries to fight her. Brad tries to stop Rachel from her drinking. Rachel is later found passed out after an overdose of drugs and drink. Kim is saved and admits his affair, Rachel forgives him. Rachel wants children when she feels better but Kim doesn't which strains their relationship Kim is accused of sexually assaulting Tara O'Neil (Cashelle Dunn), but it is revealed she lied.
Kim and Rachel marry, try to adopt a baby called Joe until his mother Lee returns to take him off the pair. Kit reveals she is pregnant and when she has the baby Kim takes Kit's side on many things. Hugh Sullivan (Rodger Corser
Rodger Corser
Rodger Corser is an Australian actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Owen in the Nine Network crime mini-series Underbelly, based on the Melbourne gangland killings, and Senior Seargent Lawson Blake in the Network Ten police drama series Rush.-Early...
), Rachel's ex turns up, they sleep together. Hugh leaves Rachel alone after she won't leave Kim, she tells Kim the truth who then refuses to forgive her and tells her he is going to live with Kit because he loves her instead.
Brad's best man Henk Van Patten (Damian de Montemas) arrives in town and starts a relationship with Cassie Turner
Cassie Turner
Cassandra "Cassie" Turner is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Sharni Vinson. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 18 March 2005. Vinson originally auditioned for the role of Martha MacKenzie , but later secured the role of...
(Sharni Vinson
Sharni Vinson
-External links:...
), leaving Rachel furious and reveals he sexually assaulted her when she was younger. A stalker becomes active targeting the hospital. Rachel starts a relationship with Lewis and becomes pregnant. He wants nothing to do with her, Rachel miscarries and Lewis decides he wants the baby after all. Sam Holden
Sam Holden (Home and Away)
Samantha "Sam" Holden is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Jessica Chapnik. She made her first on-screen appearance on 17 October 2006.-Character development:...
(Jessica Chapnik
Jessica Chapnik
Jessica Chapnik is an Argentinian-Australian actress and musician. She is probably best known for her role as Sam Tolhurst/Holden in the Australian television drama Home and Away...
) accuses Lewis of being the hospital stalker, Reverend Hall offers Rachel a lift home and she gladly accepts. He reveals he is the stalker and ties her up, gagging her. He tries to hurt her but collapses and has a fit, Rachel saves his life.
Rachel grows close to Roman Harris (Conrad Coleby
Conrad Coleby
Conrad Julius Coleby is an Australian actor.-Biography:Coleby is the son of actor Robert Coleby and brother of actress Anja Coleby. He attended Somerset College on the Gold Coast, graduating in 1996. In the same year, he played the role of Colonel Juan Perón in the school's production of Evita...
) but after he reminds her of Kim she decides to date Tony Holden. Tony is told the likely hood he can help Rachel conceive for a child is low, however they later are delighted when she becomes pregnant. Rachel's patient Jimmy begins to stalk her and Aden Jefferies
Aden Jefferies
Aden Jefferies is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Todd Lasance. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 4 August 2005. Aden was introduced in 2005 as a recurring character and as part of Cassie Turner's storylines. Lasance was...
(Todd Lasance
Todd Lasance
Todd James Lasance is an Australian actor and is best known for his role as Aden Jefferies in the Australian soap opera Home And Away.-Personal life:...
) kidnaps her and tries to kill his father. Belle Taylor
Belle Taylor
Susan "Belle" Jefferies is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Jessica Tovey. She made her first on-screen appearance on 3 February 2006. Belle's storylines included finding her birth mother, a drug addiction, her relationship with Aden Jefferies and being...
(Jessica Tovey
Jessica Tovey
Jessica Tovey is an Australian actress. Tovey graduated from the Newtown High School of the Performing Arts and has made appearances for various drama companies. She is best known for her role of Belle Taylor on the long-running Australian soap opera Home and Away. Tovey joined the show in 2006...
) and Rachel talk Aden out of this and she is set free. Tony thought she missed the wedding because she loved Hugh still, but they later reconcile. Baby Joe comes back into Rachel's life after his mother goes missing. She looks after him for a while, but he is sent away again leaving Rachel upset because she bonded with him again. Rachel later finds out he has died leaving her devastated. Following Jack Holden's (Paul O'Brien
Paul O'Brien
Paul O'Brien is a South-African-born Australian actor.-Biography:Paul O'Brien was born on 14 April in South Africa, and grew up in Australia. He spent several years on the Gold Coast, with his family...
) death Rachel and Tony's relationship becomes strained. Rachel starts to suspect that Tony is having an affair. They later repair their relationship after Tony realises his anger is out of control. Later in 2009 they married and had a baby son, Harry. She tries to get him in a routine but is annoyed at everyone for visiting. She feels like a bad mother because Harry never stops crying. Rachel begins to suffer post-natal depression, she becomes stressed and starts taking it out on those closest to her. Rachel contemplates smothering Harry and then her friends convince her to seek help.
She returned to work at the hospital to clear her head, a patient called Jane goes into labour but her baby dies. She blames Rachel because of her standard of treatment. Rachel is suspended whilst under investigation. She tries to ruin her career and harass Rachel. Jane kidnaps Harry and he is gone for days. Charlie Buckton
Charlie Buckton
Charlotte "Charlie" Buckton is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Esther Anderson. Anderson was added to the cast in a bid to add more "sex appeal" to the show. She said it was her dream job and relocated to Sydney immediately to accommodate...
(Esther Anderson) eventually tracks Harry down and returns him home safely. Rachel wrongly diagnoses a child with deafness, becomes friendly with the father, she becomes angry at Tony for selling his share in the gym because of the not so good financial status. Rachel becomes annoyed at Tony's feud with John Palmer
John Palmer (Home and Away character)
John Palmer is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Shane Withington. He made his first on-screen appearance on 27 March 2009.-Casting:...
(Shane Withington
Shane Withington
Shane Withington is an Australian actor best known for his starring roles in the television series A Country Practice, as nurse Brendan Jones, and Willing and Abel, as Abel Moore...
) and his subsequent obsession with boxing, all of which strains their relationship. They later become happier than ever and Rachel leaves to take a job in Boston working for an old friend from medical school, taking Tony and Harry with her.
Reception
In 2007, Mathews received the Logie for "New Female Talent" for her portrayal of Rachel. Mathews was nominated for "Best Actress" and "Best Couple" for her relationship with Kim at the 2007 Inside Soap AwardsInside Soap Awards
The Inside Soap Awards is a yearly award ceremony run by Inside Soap magazine since 1996. The awards celebrate the British and Australian soap operas and their actors. Until 2007, EastEnders had won the award for "Best Soap" on every occasion...
. Soap opera reporting website Holy Soap
Holy Soap
Holy Soap is a UK television and entertainment website founded in June 2009 by the British television company Channel 5. The website is the official UK home of the Australian soap operas Home and Away and Neighbours, which are broadcast on the channel...
describe Rachel's most memorable moment as being: "Being taken hostage by the Believers cult, who tried to force her to deliver Tasha's baby." They also pass comment on the fact Rachel has been kidnapped four times calling it a staggering amount. Upon Rachel and Tony's departure, the website also admitted they were fans of Rachel and Tony stating: "If anyone deserves true love, then it's these two! There were sighs of relief all round when they finally tied the knot (their first attempt having been ruined by another pesky kidnapping) and they later welcomed beautiful baby son Harry."
Yvette Chegwidden writing for TV Week
TV Week
TV Week is a weekly television magazine in Australia, first published as a Melbourne-only publication in December 1957 , and bearing a strong affiliation to television station GTV.The publication is still publishing weekly...
said that Rachel and Tony "said a sad farewell". She opined that it looked like the couple were going to end up in "splitsville" but "thankfully" Tony came to his senses. While Chegwidden noted that their exit "wasn't the most dramatic", she opined that viewers were "pleased is was a happy one".
Jaci Stephen of the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
has been critical of Rachel. Stephen has said that Rachel has a ubiquitous medical presence. When Rachel returned to work after Jane's lawsuit, Stephen said that her patients should get their "medical insurance claim forms out". She continued her criticism by jesting that there could be a link "between the level of sickness and the fact that Rachel is pretty much the only doctor who ever treats anyone." She later said that Tony should have had a special clause titled "Get Out of This Marriage Quickly If You Want To" written into their marriage papers. Stephen also thought it was unbelievable when Rachel said she would work extra shifts to help Tony's finances because she seems to be working "24/7" shifts already. When Rachel left, she quipped that everyone should avoid falling ill, and questioned how they would cope without "Australia's only psychologist/gynaecologist/paediatrician". As Rachel visited Jack's grave, she said that he would not be turning in his grave at the thought of her leaving, rather "breathing a sigh of relief".
External links
- Character profile at the Official Home and Away websiteYahoo!7Yahoo!7 is a 50-50 partnership between the Seven Network and Yahoo! Inc. in Australia.As part of the Yahoo! Inc. and the Seven Media Group, Yahoo!7 brings together the online assets of Yahoo! Inc. and the television and magazine content of the Seven Network and Pacific Magazines...
- Character profile at the 'Raidió Teilifís Éireann' websiteRaidió Teilifís ÉireannRaidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
- Character profile at Holy SoapHoly SoapHoly Soap is a UK television and entertainment website founded in June 2009 by the British television company Channel 5. The website is the official UK home of the Australian soap operas Home and Away and Neighbours, which are broadcast on the channel...