Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Raintheone (talk | contribs) at 02:44, 8 January 2011 (created page with refs, casting, reception). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Rachel Armstrong
Home and Away character
Portrayed by	Amy Mathews
Duration	2006-10
First appearance	16 January 2006
Last appearance	11 August 2010
Classification	Former, regular
Introduced by	Julie McGauran
In-universe information Occupation Doctor, psychiatrist Father Robert Armstrong Mother Elaine Armstrong Brothers Brad Armstrong Half-sisters Tamysn Armstrong Sons Harry Holden

Rachel Holden (née Armstrong, previously Hyde) is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Amy Mathews. Rachel debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 16 January 2006. In 2010 Mathews quit the serial to persue other projects and her on-screen husband Tony Holden was also written out. Rachel has been described as "work driven and professional" and a "sharp mind". Her storylines include a failed marriage to Kim Hyde, her marriage to Tony Holden and suffering post-natal depression. Rachel went on a downward spiral following the death of her mother and a helicopter crash which she blamed herself for. Rachel commited crimes such as assault, drink driving and taking pills and alcohol. Rachel has also been kidnapped a total of four times throughout her duration.

Casting

In 2010 Mathew quit the serial to persue other projects and it was revealed that producers had decided to write out Jon Sivewright who plays on-screen husband Tony Holden. Commenting on their exits a spokesperson for the serial stated: "Amy Mathews is definitely going in a few months' time. Then, with Amy's character Rachel out of the picture, it was decided Tony should go with her, so Jon Sivewright is leaving too." Fellow cast member Rebecca Breeds who play's Ruby Buckton in the serial spoke out about their departures stating: "In terms of character, to see Tony and Rachel go is kind of upsetting because they fill a really important demographic - that middle-aged, new family thing and there's nothing like that on the show now so they're a loss."

Characterisation

The serial's official website describe Rachel stating: "She has great instincts for people and has a sharp mind; she’s fiercely independent and has great strength of character." Mathews has stated the likeness of herself and Rachel stating: "I wish I was more like my character- she's so together! As far as personality goes, she's really driven, and she's professional. Rachel's a really bad cook, and I'm a good cook." A big storyline for Rachel was suffering post-natal depression following the birth of Harry, of this Mathews states: "For Rachel to be cranky and sad for so long was really hard. I felt bad for Rachel and for the viewers constantly seeing me wailing!"

Storylines

Rachel is a doctor who is introduced as an old school friend of Leah Patterson-Baker (Ada Nicodemou). She has a brother, Brad Armstrong (Chris Sadrinna), and half-sister, Tamsyn Armstrong (Gabrielle Scollay). Before starting her first shift Rachel finds Kim Hyde (Chris Hemsworth) unconscious and saves him. Rachel is assigned as Kim's psych registrar and she begins to feel attracted to him. She suggests he see someone else, but Kim decides to stay because he feels attracted to her. Rachel is sexually harrassed by Doctor Helpman (John Noble). Rachel turns to Kim for comfort and they begin a relationship. Helpman threatens to report Rachel for her affair with Kim if he doesn't sleep with him so she reports him and comes clean about her relationship. Rachel is struck of the psych registry, but is later given a new job in the Accident and Emergency department. Rachel is annoyed when her father breifly works at the hospital.

Kim's new friend Charlie begins spending a plenty of time with them. Charlie soon becomes infatuated with Kim and starts dressing up like him and becoming possesive. Charlie later takes Rachel kidnaps Rachel. Rachel hits Charlie with a pipe causing him to seizure, she decides to save his life. She blames herself for not noticing his issues sooner. At Matha MacKenzie (Jodi Gordon) and Jack Holden's (Paul O'Brien) wedding reception Zoe McCallister (Emily Perry) causes a massive explosion at the venue. Rachel's mother Elaine Armstrong (Julie Hudspeth) dies in the explosion, leaving Rachel confused in her grief however she carried on helping the injured. She arranged a helicopter to take the seriously injured including Kim to the City for further treatment. The helicopter crashes in a storm and everyone is presumed dead. Fearing death Kim sleeps with Kit Hunter (Amy Mizzi). Everyone blames Rachel for the crash, she believes it's her fault. She starts going on drinking binges and taking large amounts of tablets. She is arrested for drunk driving. Leah tries to help her, but an insulted Rachel slaps Leah in the face and tries to fight her. Brad tries to stop Rachel from her drinking. Rachel is later found passed out after an overdose of drugs and drink. Kim is saved and admits his affair, Rachel forgives him. Rachel wants children when she feels better but Kim doesn't which strains their relationship Kim is accused of sexually assaulting Tara O'Neil (Cashelle Dunn), but it is revealed she lied.

Kim and Rachel marry, try to adopt a baby called Joe until his mother Lee returns to take him off the pair. Kit reveals she is pregnant and when she has the baby Kim takes Kit's side on many things. Hugh Sullivan (Rodger Corser), Rachel's ex turns up, they sleep together. Hugh leaves Rachel alone after she won't leave Kim, she tells Kim the truth who then refuses to forgive her and tells her he is going to live with Kit because he loves her instead.

Brad's best man Henk Van Patten (Damian de Montemas) arrives in town and starts a relationship with Cassie Turner (Sharni Vinson), leaving Rachel furious and reveals he sexually assaulted her when she was younger. A stalker becomes active targeting the hospital. Rachel starts a relationship with Lewis Reed and becomes pregnant. He wants nothing to do with her, Rachel misscarries and Lewis decides he wants the baby afterall. Sam Holden (Jessica Chapnik) accuses Lewis of being the hospital stalker, Reverend John Hall (Paul Tassone) offers Rachel a lift home and she gladly accepts. He reveals he is the stalker and ties her up, gagging her. He tries to hurt her but collapses and has a fit, Rachel saves his life.

Rachel grows close to Roman Harris (Conrad Coleby) but after he reminds her of Kim she decides to date Tony Holden. Tony is told the likley hood he can help Rachel concieve for a child is low, however they later are delighted when she becomes pregnant. Rachel's patient Jimmy begins to stalk her and Aden Jefferies (Todd Lasance) kidnaps her and tries to kill his father. Belle Taylor (Jessica Tovey) and Rachel talk Aden out of this and she is set free. Tony thought she missed the wedding because she loved Hugh still, but they later reconcile. Baby Joe coems back into Rachel's life after his mother goes missing. She looks after him for a while, but he is sent away again leaving Rachel upset because she bonded with him again. Rachel later finds out he has died leaving her devestated. Following Jack Holden's (Paul O'Brien) death Rachel and Tony's relationship becomes strained. Rachel starts to suspect that Tony is having an affair. They later repair their relationship after Tony realises his anger is out of control. Later in 2009 they married and had a baby son, Harry. She tries to get him in a routine but is annoyed at everyone for visisiting. She feels like a bad mother because Harry never stops crying. Rachel begins to suffer post-natal depression, she becomes stressed and starts taking it out on those closest to her. Rachel contemplates smothering Harry and then her friends convince her to seek help.

She returned to work at the hospital to clear her head, a patient called Jane Avent (Felicity Price) goes into labour but her baby dies. She blames Rachel because of her standard of treatment. Rachel is suspended whilst under investigation. They try to ruin her career and harrass Rachel. Jane kidnaps Harry and he is gone for days. Charlie Buckton (Esther Anderson) evetually tracks Harry down and returns him home safely. Rachel wrongly diagnoses a child with deafness, becomes friendly with the father, she becomes angry at Tony for selling his share in the gym because of the not so good financial status. Rachel becomes annoyed at Tony's fued with John Palmer (Shane Withington) and his subsequent obsession with boxing, all of which strains their relationship. They later become happier than ever and Rachel leaves to take a job in Boston working for an old friend from medical school, taking Tony and Harry with her.

Reception

In 2007 Mathews recieved the logie for "New Female Talent" for her portrayal of Rachel. Mathews was nominated for "Best Actress" and "Best Couple" for her relationship with Kim at the 2007 Inside Soap Awards. Soap opera reporting website Holy Soap describe Rachel's most memorable moment as being: "Being taken hostage by the Believers cult, who tried to force her to deliver Tasha's baby." They also pass comment on the fact Rachel has been kidnapped four times calling it a staggering amount. Upon Rachel and Tony's departure, the website also admitted they were fans of Rachel and Tony stating: "If anyone deserves true love, then it's these two! There were sighs of relief all round when they finally tied the knot (their first attempt having been ruined by another pesky kidnapping) and they later welcomed beautiful baby son Harry."

References

1. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (15 February 2010). "Two more to leave 'Home and Away'". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 2011-01-07.
2. "Home and Away's Breeds "upset" by star exits". What's on TV. (IPC Media). 13 June 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
3. "Dr Rachel Armstrong - Yahoo!7 TV". Yahoo!7. Seven Network and Yahoo!. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
4. ^ "Our Hearts are at home". Woman's Day. ACP Magazines. 01 February 2010. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
5. "Home And Away's Rachel gets a shock". Daily Gazzette. (Newsquest). 14 March 2009. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
6. "2007 Logie winners". The Age. (Fairfax Media). 07 May 2007. Retrieved 2011-01-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
7. Green, Kris (03 July 2007). "Inside Soap Awards 2007: The Nominations". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 2011-01-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
8. ^ "Holy Soap > Home and Away > Cast > Rachel Armstrong". Holy Soap. (Channel 5). Archived from the original on 09 November 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help)
9. "Bye bye Rachel and Tony!". Holy Soap. (Channel 5). 22 September 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-07.

External links

• Character profile at the Official Home and Away website
• Character profile at the 'Raidió Teilifís Éireann' website
• Character profile at Holy Soap

Template:HAHolden

• Home and Away characters
• Fictional characters introduced in 2006