Home and Away

Brax & Ricky RETURN! First Set Photos + Tane Spotted in Western Australia

Posted on by Jessica

Home and Away has begun filming its dramatic scenes in Western Australia, and the first photos have begun to emerge from the set – as it’s revealed that Tane will be joining Brax and Ricky.

Back in August, it was announced that Home and Away would be heading to Western Australia for the first time, in what producers are describing as “a landmark event” and “an ambitious, high-stakes storyline.”

The special episodes, airing in 2026, will reunite us with Darryl “Brax” Braxton (Stephen Peacocke) and Ricky Sharpe (Bonnie Sveen) for the first time since 2016.

Their new storyline will reveal where life has taken Brax and Ricky since their Summer Bay departure, and will feature “high-stakes drama and emotional payoffs” against a stunning backdrop of WA’s rugged outback.

The first hint that filming was about to commence came a few days ago, when the show’s Head of Makeup Laura Vazquez posted a photo on Instagram of a plane, with the caption “Perth bound ✈️”.

She’s since posted two more photos, with captions “Team Makeup WA ❤️ first day down 🫶” and “Perth day one done 🫶”.

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Laura Vazquez on Instagram

With filming now underway, residents of Perth have already spotted the cast and crew out and about in the city. While Bonnie Sveen hasn’t yet appeared in any of the photos, they do reveal that a current character will be joining Brax and Ricky in Perth!

Ethan Browne, who plays Tane Parata, has also been photographed alongside Stephen Peacocke, suggesting that he’ll be part of the drama in WA.

A photo taken in Perth’s CBD by Hannah from the Home and Away Spoilers & Info Facebook group shows Ethan and Stephen talking to an assistant director between filming.

Hannah from Home and Away Spoilers & Info on Facebook

Meanwhile, fan Diane Head posted to the Home and Away Spoilers and Gossip group of a photo she had taken with Stephen and Ethan as they filmed outside The Bell Tower tourist attraction in Perth.

Diane Head from Home and Away Spoilers and Gossip on Facebook

The pair were also spotted at nearby Elizabeth Quay by Glennys Marsdon, who posted a series of photos of the filming on Instagram.

 

Glennys Marsdon on Instagram

While 7’s annual Perth Telethon is taking place this weekend, Ethan Browne isn’t believed to be one of the attendees from the Home and Away cast, suggesting that he’s in the city for filming rather than to partake in the charity event.

While Tane has no known connection to Brax or Ricky, he has met Brax’s brother Heath (Dan Ewing) – albeit very briefly.

A photo on Instagram showed Rob Kipa-Williams (Ari) and Ethan Browne (Tane), alongside returnee Dan Ewing (Heath Braxton) back in 2020

Heath made a brief appearance in the 2021 Season Return episode, when Tane found himself in trouble with a drug gang after a job he was carrying out for them went wrong.

Tane and Ari (Rob Kipa-Williams) were forced to carry out an armed robbery at the Reefton Lakes league club as payback for Tane losing the gang money, but it became clear that nothing they did would be enough to appease them.

Heath introduced himself and told the men that they were on River Boy turf, and as Dean then explained, that’s a bad idea…

Before anyone had time to react, the River Boys did what they’re best at and started a brawl.

It didn’t take long for the River Boys, along with Ari and Tane, to overcome Paul’s men, and Heath bundle Leon and Paul into his ute to take them on a little trip.

Although Heath’s return was little more than a cameo appearance, Dan Ewing revealed to the Daily Telegraph that there was an unusual catalyst behind his appearance.

“Series Producer Lucy Addario had a dream about me,” Dan laughed. “Ok, well not me per se, but about Heath returning to help sort out a situation in the 2021 season return storyline.”

Producers are remaining tight-lipped over what causes us to reunite with Brax and Ricky in the golden state, but Tane’s involvement suggests that it could involve the River Boys.

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A number of locations across Western Australia will be used, as filming takes place across the “vast and varied landscapes” of the state this month.

A press release for the special episodes revealed that filming locations include the cosmopolitan city of Perth with its rugged coastline, and the state’s expansive red outback.

Speaking of his return, Stephen Peacocke said: “I’ll always be grateful to Home and Away for being the launchpad to my career, and I’ve got a sincere appreciation for the fans who’ve followed my work since.

“When the producers asked if I’d revisit Brax, it felt like a fun opportunity – and one I think the audience will really enjoy. Filming in spectacular outback Western Australia is the icing on the cake, and we can’t wait to welcome one lucky UK fan and their guest onto set with us.”

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Speaking to TV Week, Stephen added: “Part of me is nervous. I want to make it good for the audience because that role was extraordinary for me. Anytime you get a chance to play a character that resonates, you should treasure it. And I’ve always treasured that role.”

Meanwhile, since leaving Home and Away, Bonnie Sveen has gone on to star in Rosehaven, The Secret Daughter, and Escape and Evasion.

Her short film Finding Addison won Best Short Film at the 2023 AACTA Awards, while her role in SXSW Sydney winner Thou Shalt Not Steal cemented her status as one of Australia’s most versatile talents.

Of her return to Home and Away, Bonnie Sveen said: “Bringing Ricky back wasn’t something I’d ever expected, so I’m beyond thrilled to reunite with Steve and old friends at Home and Away.

“Exploring where Ricky and Brax are now, 10 years on, will make for a very special and compelling storyline – and I can’t wait for our WA filming adventure.”

Home and Away’s Executive Producer Julie McGauran expressed her excitement at the story. “It’s an absolute joy to have Steve and Bonnie back with us for this epic event. They’ve each left such a mark on Home And Away, both on screen and behind the scenes, and their return after a decade is sure to make the fans very happy.”

“Questions of what Brax and Ricky’s life is like now and how things might have changed for them will be answered. And of course, there’s plenty of surprises along the way.”