View Full Version : New character for Home and Away
BTTB can confirm a new addition to the cast of Home and Away.
Kiwi actor Jay Laga'aia is joining the show as Reverend Elijah Johnson, and will be seen on screen in the New Year.
Jay is perhaps best known for his role as Captain Typho in the recent Star Wars films, but has also appeared in TV series Legend of the Seeker, Water Rats and Xena: Warrior Princess amongst other things.
Our inside source confirmed the casting, and stated that Jay will be a great addition to the show.
With our previous report of a new long-term boyfriend for Leah Patterson-Baker - could Leah be swept off her feet by a man of the cloth....?
Whats happening with Reverend (in waiting) Geoff Campbell?
Do Annie and Geoff go to church anymore?
Geoff is leaving early next year. Lincoln has already finished filming.
I think they do go, but off screen.
Oo they are getting a Reverend, thats different for home and away
Home and Away bosses have been forced to deny accusations of racism after dropping actor Jay Laga'aia from the soap.
The actor, who is of Samoan descent, filmed his final scenes as Elijah Johnson late last year, and Australian viewers will see the character make his exit in April.
Writing on Twitter yesterday, Laga'aia alleged that he was axed by producers due to his ethnicity.
His comments came after actor Firass Dirani made a public call for TV producers to start reflecting the "different flavours and different cultures" of Australian society.
Laga'aia tweeted: "Hats off to you Firass Dirani, for a call to stop commercial network producers casting only white actors. Only on Australian screens. Shame!
"As someone who lost his job on H&A because they couldn't write two ethnics that weren't together, I'd like a chance to ply my trade freely."
A spokesperson for Network Seven, which broadcasts Home and Away in Australia, strongly denied the 48-year-old's claims - insisting that Elijah's story had reached a natural end.
The representative told the Herald Sun: "Jay's comments are offensive. We have great regard for Jay and his work on Home and Away during the last two years.
"It is insulting to suggest that Home and Away is racist. His character's storyline reached a natural conclusion."
I'm seeing both sides to this. H&A is known for casting predominantly white actors but Elijah is hardly the most exciting character to have graced the soap. He neither adds nor detracts anything from it.
I'm sad to hear Elijah's leaving - I like him. As for the racist allegation, it is saddening how white the cast of H&A is, so I think it's no wonder he feels as he does.
tammyy2j
15-02-2012, 14:52
I'm glad Elijah is leaving never liked the character
I'm sad to hear Elijah's leaving - I like him. As for the racist allegation, it is saddening how white the cast of H&A is, so I think it's no wonder he feels as he does.
It seems to be the same with the Neighbours cast also!
It seems to be the same with the Neighbours cast also!
Neighbours are bringing in the Kapoor family as full-time cast members so it can't be accused to being too white any more.
Neighbours are bringing in the Kapoor family as full-time cast members so it can't be accused to being too white any more.
Oh yes forgot that.
Jay Laga'aia has maintained his stance that Home and Away producers sacked him due to his ethnicity.
The Australian soap's bosses strenuously denied accusations of racism after Laga'aia, who is of Samoan descent, made the claims on Twitter.
Speaking to Adelaide, Laga'aia refused to back away from "stating the obvious", but elaborated upon his comments.
"It's not a race issue, it's an opportunity issue," he said. "All you need to do is have a look at your television."
The 48-year-old added: "I mean, how many Asian and Indian doctors were there in All Saints? None."
Laga'aia filmed his last scenes as Rev Elijah Johnson last year.
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