Haydn Ross
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Haydn Ross is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera ''
Home and Away ''Home and Away'' (''H&A'') is an Australian television soap opera. It was created by Alan Bateman and commenced broadcast on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. Bateman came up with the concept of the show during a trip to Kangaroo Point, N ...
'', played by
Charlton Hill Andrew James Charlton Hill, known professionally as Charlton Hill (born 4 April 1975), is an Australian singer-songwriter, actor and music publisher. Charlton's experience in the music, television, advertising and branding industries ranges fr ...
(known then as Andrew Hill) The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 31 October 1990 and departed on 17 September 1991. He returned in 1994 and 1996.


Casting

Hill told Nigel May from ''
Look-in ''Look-in'' was a children's magazine centred on ITV's television programmes in the United Kingdom, and subtitled "The Junior '' TVTimes''". It ran from 9 January 1971 to 12 March 1994.Seven Network Seven Network (stylised 7Network, and commonly known as Channel Seven or simply Seven) is an Australian commercial free-to-air Television broadcasting in Australia, television network. It is owned by Seven West Media, Seven West Media Limited, ...
studios under the impression that he was auditioning for a washing powder commercial. When handed the scripts for Haydn, he was confused but carried on with the audition. Hill said that he impressed the casting department because he "remembered everything". In 1991, Hill decided to leave the series because the long filming hours had interfered with his studies. He planned to go to college and catch up on the work he had missed.


Development

A columnist for ''
TV Week ''TV Week'' is a weekly Australian magazine that provides television program listings information and highlights, as well as television-related news. Content ranges from previews for upcoming storylines of popular television programs, particu ...
'' said that when Haydn arrives in Summer Bay, he thinks it is a "hick town". Haydn is the son of Cynthia (
Belinda Giblin Sue Belinda Giblin (born 2 March 1950) professionally billed as Belinda Giblin, is an Australian actress who has played prominent roles in theatre and television soap operas, and several feature films. Giblin's television roles include Kay Webs ...
) and Michael Ross (Dennis Coard). He benefited from his father's boating marina business by attending a private school. In their book ''Home and Away Annual'' Kesta Desmond and David Nicholls describe Haydn as being "athletic and determined like his father"; but like his mother too because he has a "love of culture and a comfortable lifestyle". Haydn used to like family life until his parents divorced. He could not accept the ramifications of Michael's failed business ventures and finds it hard to adjust to life outside of private school. His mother is no longer around when Haydn needs her and Michael is not in the position to take him on holidays. They added that a "lifetime of coddling" makes living in Summer Bay difficult for him. However, Haydn tries to accept his new "enforced lifestyle". Kesta and Nicholls 1992, p.13. Andrea Black writing in ''Home and Away – Official Collector’s Edition'' explained that the arrival of Haydn and
Sophie Simpson Sophie Dean (also Simpson) is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera ''Home and Away'', played by Rebekah Elmaloglou. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 23 January 1990 and appeared as a regular unti ...
(
Rebekah Elmaloglou Rebekah Sophie Elmaloglou (born 23 January 1974) is an Australian actress, known for her roles as teenage tearaway Sophie Simpson on ''Home and Away'' and Terese Willis on ''Neighbours''. She also made guest appearances in '' E Street'', '' A ...
) "meant serious strife" in Summer Bay. In the ''TV Week'' issue dated 29 December 1990, a reporter revealed that writers had planned a love triangle storyline for Haydn in early 1991. They previewed that Haydn would become "embroiled" in the story that also features Sophie and Blake Dean (
Les Hill Les Hill (born 1 August 1973) is an Australian actor who has appeared in many Australian television productions including ''Home and Away'', '' Underbelly'', and '' Rescue: Special Ops''. Early life Hill was born in the Royal Hospital for W ...
). During this time, producers also cast
Belinda Giblin Sue Belinda Giblin (born 2 March 1950) professionally billed as Belinda Giblin, is an Australian actress who has played prominent roles in theatre and television soap operas, and several feature films. Giblin's television roles include Kay Webs ...
to play Haydn's mother and Michael's ex-wife, Cynthia Ross. A ''TV Week'' writer revealed that Cynthia would "turn up in Summer Bay to wreak havoc." Later that year, Haydn pretended to go missing in the bush in an attempt to reconcile his warring parents. Things did not go to plan when he fell down a mineshaft. Black said that Michael "raced to the rescue of his son". But Haydn "didn't stay long in the bay" and he then exited the show. In the 25 September 1993 issue of ''TV Week'', a reporter confirmed that Hill had agreed to reprise the role of Haydn after a year long break, in which he attended Sydney University. Hill signed up for a two-month guest stint and began filming on 6 December. Producers were keen to create "some on-screen heat" between Haydn and Finlay Roberts ( Tina Thomsen), after learning Hill and Thomsen were in a relationship. Hill told a reporter from ''
Inside Soap ''Inside Soap'' is a weekly soap opera and television listings magazine published in the United Kingdom. The magazine is currently released every Tuesday. It covers storylines featured in British and Australian soap operas that are broadcast in t ...
'' that Haydn returns because he feels it is the right time to rebuild his relationship with Michael. Ally Oliver from ''Inside Soap'' reported that Michael is "thrilled to see him back and more than ready to forgive his son for their troubled past together." He added that Haydn appears to have "grown up". But in addition to this, Haydn has also got himself "so deeply in debt from his gambling habits". Hill explained that Haydn is "not a bad guy". While he is "completely addicted" and "so wrapped up" with gambling, those around him "feel sorry for him more than anything else". Haydn needs all the help he can get but is not prepared to tell Michael the truth. He also forms a romance with Finlay. Hill and Thomsen had begun an off-screen relationship together three years prior. Producers were inspired by their romance and decided that their character should enter into a relationship. Oliver said that producers "were taking a gamble" in case the actors fell out on set. But Thomsen told the writer that she and Hill were on set, they had made an effort to keep their personal lives separate from their work. She added that when they left the studios they would "give each other a big hug" and normality would resume. On-screen Finlay cannot resist Haydn's charms and they get together. Thomsen told Oliver that Haydn is "tall, handsome, he's sincere and he's nice to her – what more could a girl want?" He later has a "fling" with
Marilyn Chambers Marilyn Ann Taylor (née Briggs; April 22, 1952 – April 12, 2009), known professionally as Marilyn Chambers, was an American pornographic actress, exotic dancer, model, actress, singer and vice-presidential candidate. She was known f ...
(
Emily Symons Emily Symons (born 10 August 1969) is an Australian actress, active on both Australian and British television. She is known for playing Anne Costello in the short-lived soap opera '' Richmond Hill'' in 1988 and when that series ended in 1989, s ...
) and producers later cast Melissa Bell to play Haydn's ex-girlfriend, Suzie Hudson, who is pregnant with his child.


Storylines

Haydn arrives in Summer Bay shortly after his father; Michael separates from his mother, Cynthia. Haydn is enrolled at Summer Bay much to his displeasure as he has previously attended private school and on manages to upset Sophie by pointing out her literacy struggles and finds himself in argument with Blake. Haydn confides in teacher Grant Mitchell (
Craig McLachlan Craig Dougall McLachlan (born 1 September 1965) is an Australian actor, musician, singer and composer. He has been involved in film, television, the music industry and music theatre for over 30 years. He is best known for appearing in the soap o ...
) about his unhappiness about being forced to move by his father.
Karen Dean ''Home and Away'' is an Australian soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. The 3rd season of ''Home and Away'' began airing from 8 January 1990. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in 1990, by or ...
(Belinda Jarrett), Blake's sister takes a liking to Haydn and makes her feeling clear but he rejects her. After a talk with Michael, Haydn begins to calm down. When roles are cast for a year ten production of
Romeo and Juliet ''The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet'', often shortened to ''Romeo and Juliet'', is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare about the romance between two young Italians from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's ...
, Haydn is cast opposite Sophie, who is dating Blake. Haydn relishes the chance to goad Blake about it at every opportunity. Sophie eventually realises she has feelings for Haydn and they kiss. Karen witnesses this and is hurt. Blake sees Sophie and Haydn kissing several weeks later and punches Haydn. They later resolve matters and become friends. Cynthia arrives in Summer Bay and Haydn tries to reunite his parents but when he realises that they will not get back together and Michael is in a relationship with Pippa Fletcher (
Debra Lawrence Debra Lawrance (born 1 January 1957) is an Australian actress. She is best known for her role on ''Home and Away'', as Pippa Ross, which she played from 1990 to 1998 and in a number of subsequent return appearances, the most recent being in 2 ...
), Haydn runs away and falls into a mineshaft and is missing for several days. He is eventually found and leaves to stay with Cynthia for several weeks. Haydn later stands as Michael's best man when he marries Pippa. Haydn and Sophie later break up and Haydn leaves after a disagreement with new principal Lois Crawford (
Tina Bursill Tina Bursill (born 24 July 1951) is an Australian actress. She played Louise Carter on the television series '' Skyways'' (1979–1981) and Sonia Stevens on ''Prisoner'' (1983–1984). She played Meryl Knight in the Nine Network drama series ' ...
). Haydn later returns to ask Michael and Pippa for a loan in order for him to set up a surf shop in the bay. This causes a rift between Michael and Pippa when Michael suggests remortgaging the caravan park in order to help Haydn. It soon becomes apparent that Haydn has a gambling problem which plays havoc with his relationship he has recently begun with Finlay. Finlay's mother Irene Roberts ( Lynne McGranger) is opposed to the union but the couple continue. Haydn quickly slips back into his habit and begins betting again. Finlay discovers this and tries to help him through it but Haydn's resolve is weak and he flees after his horse loses and leaves notes for Michael and Finlay. Following Michael's death, Haydn returns to the Bay for the funeral and Pippa is hostile to him and when he tries to save his conscience by returning half of the money he borrowed, Pippa initially refuses but eventually swallows her pride and accepts. After learning of Marilyn's failed engagement to
Donald Fisher Donald George Fisher (September 3, 1928 – September 27, 2009) was an American billionaire businessman and philanthropist. He co-founded the Gap Inc. clothing stores with his wife Doris F. Fisher. Early life and education Fisher was born i ...
(
Norman Coburn Norman Coburn (born 6 March 1937) is an Australian former actor, playwright and writer best known for his television serial and soap opera roles. He started his early career in theatre, film and television in the United Kingdom in the mid-1950s. ...
), Haydn takes an interest in Marilyn and they begin dating. This is only temporary as Haydn soon leaves to take a job on an oil rig but returns several months later to win Marilyn back when she resumes her relationship with Donald but she turns him down after she learns he has got another woman, Suzie Hudson, pregnant and he leaves again.


Reception

A columnist for ''Inside Soap'' said that Haydn was the "prodigal" and "errant" son of Michael. They observed him as once being a "snooty" private schooled child who later grew up to be street wise. They added that viewers would not catch anyone hassling Haydn for being snooty in his latter appearances. While another said that Haydn was a "good boy gone bad".


References

;Bibliography * *


External links


Character profile
at the
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ross, Haydn Home and Away characters Television characters introduced in 1990 Fictional gamblers Australian male characters in soap operas