Two familiar faces from Home and Away are set to make a comeback, with Stephen Peacocke and Bonnie Sveen returning to the long-running soap in 2026.
Peacocke, who played Darryl “Brax” Braxton, and Sveen, who starred as Erica “Ricky” Sharpe, will reprise their roles in a special storyline filmed across Western Australia.
Brax, the leader of the River Boys, was ranked number four in TV WEEK’s 2023 list of the 100 Greatest Australian TV Characters of All Time. Ricky, introduced as a strong-willed and independent character, quickly became a fan favourite and Brax’s on-screen partner. Their romance, which ended with the pair driving off into the sunset a decade ago, has long been considered one of the show’s most memorable storylines.
The new episodes will explore what life has been like for the couple since their 2016 departure, with the Western Australian outback providing the backdrop.
Julie McGauran, Seven’s Director of Content, Scripted, said:
“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.”
Peacocke said he was excited to return:
“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.”
Sveen added:
“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.”
Since leaving the soap, both actors have gone on to other projects. Peacocke has appeared in RFDS, The Newsreader, Five Bedrooms and Wanted. Sveen has featured in Rosehaven, The Secret Daughter and Escape and Evasion. Her short film Finding Addison won Best Short Film at the 2023 AACTA Awards, and she also appeared in Thou Shalt Not Steal, which won at SXSW Sydney.
Filming for the special episodes begins in October across multiple locations in Western Australia. The storyline will air in 2026 on Seven and 7plus.
