Peta Janossi
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Peta Janossi is a fictional character from the Australian television 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 ...
'', portrayed by Aleetza Wood. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 27 May 1999 and departed on 14 July 2000. Peta is a local girl who seemingly blends into the background until she is given a makeover by Hayley Smith (
Bec Cartwright Rebecca June Hewitt ( Cartwright; born 23 July 1983) is an Australian actress, television presenter and singer. From 1998 to 2005, Hewitt played Hayley Smith Lawson on the soap opera ''Home and Away''. As Bec Cartwright, Hewitt released an ep ...
). She begins a relationship with
Will Smith Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, rapper, and film producer. Known for his work in both Will Smith filmography, the screen and Will Smith discography, music industries, List of awards and nominations re ...
(
Zac Drayson Zac Drayson (born 14 January 1983) is an Australian actor. Early life Drayson was born Zachary Lowell Drayson in Sydney, New South Wales. Career He is best known for the role of Will Smith, one of Irene Roberts' ( Lynne McGranger) many foster ...
) but it does not last. Peta is discovered to be living with her brother
David David (; , "beloved one") was a king of ancient Israel and Judah and the third king of the United Monarchy, according to the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament. The Tel Dan stele, an Aramaic-inscribed stone erected by a king of Aram-Dam ...
(Philip Edwards) and invents a cover story in which a homeless woman,
Annie Matthews ''Home and Away'' is an Australian soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in 1999, by order of first appearance. They were all introduced by the show's then e ...
(
Carole Skinner Carole Skinner (born 8 May 1944) is an Australian retired actress, particularly known for her performances in theatre and television, although she has had small parts in films. She is perhaps best known internationally for her soap opera role's ...
) poses as Peta's late grandmother. She is then fostered by Joel (David Woodley) and Natalie Nash (Antoinette Byron). Peta's final story arc revolves around her relationship with eccentric goth, Edward Dunglass ( Stephen James King) and her support of him in the wake of the discovery of his Huntington's disease.


Casting

Wood was studying drama at university when she auditioned for the role of Peta. She explained, "I was on the phone to my best friend and I was actually talking about the audition, and my mobile rang, and it was my agent on the other line. He didn't sound too happy, and I just guessed that I didn't get it. He then yelled out that I got the part and I was screaming and having a two-way conversation with my friend and agent. I went to work that night and I was serving customers with the biggest smile on my face". While filming with co-star
Zac Drayson Zac Drayson (born 14 January 1983) is an Australian actor. Early life Drayson was born Zachary Lowell Drayson in Sydney, New South Wales. Career He is best known for the role of Will Smith, one of Irene Roberts' ( Lynne McGranger) many foster ...
, who plays
Will Smith Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, rapper, and film producer. Known for his work in both Will Smith filmography, the screen and Will Smith discography, music industries, List of awards and nominations re ...
, Wood was approached by some fans which surprised her. She recalled, "I was filming on location when I first started on ''Home and Away'' and there were some English tourists asking Zac for autographs. They then turned to me and they all asked me for my autograph; I had no idea what to do or write. I actually think I was more nervous than they were". Series producer Russell Webb chose Wood for the role of Peta due to her "fresh-faced" look. He said "She is a gutsy little performer, who at 20 looks young enough to play a 16-year-old but has that maturity level, which her character is supposed to have. She is perfect for the role." In late May 2000,
Jason Herbison Jason Herbison (born 1972) is an Australian television producer, screenwriter and novelist, most recently serving as the executive producer of the soap opera ''Neighbours''. He has written scripts for numerous television serials, and has publis ...
of ''
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 ...
'' reported that Wood was leaving ''Home and Away'' after just over a year in the role of Peta. Herbison confirmed that Wood had already filmed her final scenes and was planning to spend the rest of the year in the UK. Wood commented, "I'm pleased to be going out on a high. There are some big storylines surrounding Peta's exit, which is great. I'm very happy to be moving to England, too."


Storylines

Peta appears when Hayley Smith (
Bec Cartwright Rebecca June Hewitt ( Cartwright; born 23 July 1983) is an Australian actress, television presenter and singer. From 1998 to 2005, Hewitt played Hayley Smith Lawson on the soap opera ''Home and Away''. As Bec Cartwright, Hewitt released an ep ...
) is approached by a classmate, her friend Heather (Camilla Freeman), who wants her to be her partner in a competition for two friends to advertise skincare products. Peta accuses Hayley of taking Heather off her but learns Heather approached Hayley and considers Peta too plain to be her partner, Hayley and Peta ditch Heather and enter the competition together. Peta's makeover attracts the attentions of Hayley's older brother, Will. He asks her out but when Hayley mistakenly believes he was only getting her out of the way so she and her boyfriend
Sam Marshall Sam Marshall (previously Nicholls) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Home and Away'', played by former actor Ryan Clark. He made his first on screen appearance on 3 April 1991. Sam remained in ''Home and Away'' until 200 ...
( Ryan Clark) can spend time together, Peta leaves in a huff. Hayley and Sam then scheme to put Peta and Will together. Peta's home life raises questions from her when she alleges she lives with her grandmother but nobody has seen her and they become suspicious when Peta is reluctant to let them come over. It emerges that Peta's grandmother died while overseas in Poland the previous year and she and her brother,
David David (; , "beloved one") was a king of ancient Israel and Judah and the third king of the United Monarchy, according to the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament. The Tel Dan stele, an Aramaic-inscribed stone erected by a king of Aram-Dam ...
(Philip Edwards) failed to report her death for fear they would be split up and sent to separate foster homes and continued living off her pension. A jury summons arrives for Peta's grandmother while David is away and Peta concocts a scheme with Will to have
Annie Matthews ''Home and Away'' is an Australian soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in 1999, by order of first appearance. They were all introduced by the show's then e ...
(
Carole Skinner Carole Skinner (born 8 May 1944) is an Australian retired actress, particularly known for her performances in theatre and television, although she has had small parts in films. She is perhaps best known internationally for her soap opera role's ...
), an elderly bag lady with
bronchitis Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi (large and medium-sized airways) in the lungs that causes coughing. Bronchitis usually begins as an infection in the nose, ears, throat, or sinuses. The infection then makes its way down to the bronchi. ...
to pose as her late grandmother and has James Fraser (Michael Picciliri) writse a letter saying Annie is unsuitable for jury service. Events backfire when Annie takes her role to heart. Peta, wanting rid of Annie, enlists Will's help in tracking down Annie's daughter, Frances Kennedy (Alice Livingstone). The plan is successful but everything is revealed when Irene Roberts ( Lynne McGranger) arrives. Irene arranges for Peta to live with
Travis Travis may refer to: People and fictional characters *Travis (given name), a list of people and fictional characters *Travis (surname), a list of people Places in the United States *Travis, Staten Island, a neighborhood *Travis Air Force Base, a ...
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Nic Testoni Nicolas John Testoni, billed as Nic Testoni is an Australian actor and television presenter. He took the role of Travis Nash on TV soap opera, ''Home and Away'', from 1995 to 1999. He won the Most Popular New Talent category at the Logie Award ...
) and Rebecca Nash (
Belinda Emmett Belinda Jane Emmett (12 April 1974 – 11 November 2006) was an Australian actress and singer. She was best known for her roles in the TV drama series ''Home and Away'' and '' All Saints'' as well as the sitcom '' Hey Dad..!''. She was married ...
) but they are leaving Summer Bay shortly. Travis' brother Joel (David Woodley) and his wife
Natalie Natalie may refer to: Places * Natalie, Michigan, an unincorporated community People * Natalie (given name) * Natalie (singer) (born 1979), Mexican-American R&B singer/songwriter * (born 1999), better known as Natalie Zenn, Indonesian act ...
(Antoinette Byron), become official foster parents and keep an eye on Peta and Justine Welles, the other remaining foster child. Peta's relationship with Will runs into difficulty when it is clear Will is still close to his ex-girlfriend
Gypsy Nash Gypsy Nash (previously Smith) is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera ''Home and Away'', played by Kimberley Cooper. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 18 February 1998. Gypsy and her on-screen fam ...
(
Kimberley Cooper Kimberley Cooper (born 24 April 1980) is an Australian television actress known for her character of Gypsy Nash on the Australian soap opera ''Home and Away''. Early life Kimberley Cooper was born on 24 April 1980 in Sydney, New South Wales, A ...
), When the group have a car crash Peta and Hayley are annoyed when Will covers for Gypsy but not the rest of them, supposedly because her Eventually, Will and Peta split and he reunites with Gypsy. Edward Dunglass ( Stephen James King) arrives in town and he and Peta become an item. When she tells him she regrets being unable to attend her gran's funeral, he arranges an improvised memorial service at the cemetery, although she is mortified when they were interrupted by
Colleen Smart Colleen Smart (also Stewart) is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera ''Home and Away'', played by Lyn Collingwood. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 7 March 1988. She was introduced as a ...
(
Lyn Collingwood Lyn Collingwood (born 6 September 1936 in Sydney), credited also as Lynn Collingwood, is an Australian actress, writer and historian. Collingwood was born in Sydney, New South Wales, and started her early career as an English, drama and histor ...
), who is convinced they are up to no good. Peta learns that Edward's father, Edward Senior ( Peter Sumner) died of
Huntington's disease Huntington's disease (HD), also known as Huntington's chorea, is an incurable neurodegenerative disease that is mostly Genetic disorder#Autosomal dominant, inherited. It typically presents as a triad of progressive psychiatric, cognitive, and ...
, meaning he could well have inherited it, and is concerned by his "live for the moment" attitude, including diving off Jump Rock. She issues him an ultimatum; stop the stunts or they will break up. Initially, Edward take the second option but later changed his mind and they reconcile. The couple then begin attending self-defence lessons but Edward is discouraged but suggests Peta continue. Edward suggests they get married and they stage an unofficial wedding at the caravan park. There is resistance to the union but Edward's mother
Judith Ackroyd ''Home and Away'' is an Australian soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in 1999, by order of first appearance. They were all introduced by the show's then e ...
(
Anna Hruby Anna Hruby (born October 1960) is an Australian actress and voice over artist band TV commercial advertiser, who has appeared in many Australian films, television series and theatre productions. She is the daughter of late actress, entertaine ...
) agrees to let the couple live with her. Following Edward's official diagnosis of Huntington's, Peta supports him and agrees to go travelling with him. The couple then leave the Bay to stay with Judith's sister in
Rome Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...
. Will visits them the following year.


Reception

For her portrayal of Peta, Wood was nominated for the
Logie Award for Most Popular New Female Talent The Silver Logie for Most Popular New Female Talent was an award presented at the Australian TV Week Logie Awards. It was first awarded at the 41st Annual TV Week Logie Awards ceremony, held in 1999. The award is given to honour a standout perfo ...
in 2000. While observing Peta and Edward's romance, ''
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'' critic Jackie Brygel felt sorry for her, saying "Poor Peta. The girl is appearing to be highly unsuccessful in her bid to seduce the, er, very unusual-looking Edward".


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Janossi, Peta Home and Away characters Television characters introduced in 1999 Australian female characters in soap operas