Home and Away bosses have announced that Jessica Grace Smith has joined the soap's cast as new arrival Denny.
Denny is a tomboy character who arrives on UK screens for the first time in the spring.
Jessica Grace Smith as Denny in Home and Away
© Channel 5
Jessica Grace Smith as Denny
New recruit Smith secured the role of Denny last year, just a week before she was planning to move to Los Angeles.
Speaking of her new part, the actress explained: "Denny's pretty straight up and she's really honest. She's 'what you see is what you get'. She's definitely not your typical girl - she works in the bait shop with Alf!"
On the last-minute change in her career plans, she added: "It was crazy! My bags were almost packed for LA. I was so stoked to be a part of the show and have full time work. It's an actor's dream."
Smith was born in New Zealand and grew up on a farm. After leaving school, she originally studied law for a year, but later changed paths by completing a three-year degree in acting at the Toi Whakaari New Zealand drama school.
The show newcomer's previous credits include film roles in The Devil's Rock, Diagnosis Death, Edwin: My Life as a Koont and Sione's 2: Unfinished Business. She also played the guest part of Diona in Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.