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Meet Home And Away’s newest family

TV WEEK delivers the scoop on the news stars taking over Summer Bay.

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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