Ben was central to a male depression storyline, which began airing from late 2019, that sought to raise awareness of the disorder and the impact it has on suffers and their loved ones.

The character's estranged brother Marco Astoni (Tim Walter) was introduced during 2020, which helped further explore Ben's fictional backstory.

The character has been called "one of the town's favourite residents" by a writer for New Idea,[1] but The West Australian' Stephanie McKenna was critical of his persona saying he "displays no emotion" and "rarely expresses an opinion".

[2] In early June 2017, Luke Dennehy of the Herald Sun confirmed that the four-strong Astoni family, played by Rohan Nichol, Kestie Morassi, Sophie Dillman and Anna Cocquerel, would soon be introduced to the serial.

[6] He was keen to stay with the show for a long time, and took inspiration from his co-star Ray Meagher, who has played Alf Stewart since the first episode.

[8] Ahead of the character's introduction, a press release stated "Ben is a family man, besotted with his wife and a devoted father to Ziggy and Coco.

[8] Dillman said Ziggy is running away from an issue she has caused in the city when she ducks into a bathroom and meets Brody Morgan (Jackson Heywood).

Johnathon Hughes of the Radio Times observed that the Astonis are "relieved to be leaving" when the car is fixed, until Ben reverses into a water tank and causes a pipe to burst.

[14] Vanessa Williams of The West Australian wrote that Ben is "impressed by Summer Bay's golden beaches and bumper waves", and he realises that the town can also offer his family a fresh start.

[16] Nichol told Williams that to help him and his new co-stars bond, the producers decided against easing them in slowly and gave them a lot of content straight away.

"[17] Maggie and Ben do find out about Coco's eating disorder eventually and Cocquerel thought the revelation would have "serious repercussions for the Astoni family.

An Inside Soap writer noted that things had not been easy for them during their first few months in the Bay, and Ben's temper had put a strain on his marriage.

[19] Their issues are not helped by the introduction of Maggie's overbearing mother Diana Walford (Sarah Chadwick), who makes it clear that she disapproves of Ben and blocks his plans to celebrate his wedding anniversary.

[16] Morassi told Ellis (Inside Soap) that Maggie wants to survive for herself and her family, and she hoped viewers would be able to relate the journey.

[24] In late 2019, the character was the focus of a male depression storyline, which sought to raise awareness of the disorder and its impact on sufferers and their loved ones.

[25] The cast and crew spent six months filming the storyline, and Nichol admitted that the stamina needed was a challenge and the heavier scenes wore him out.

[28] Harvey pointed out that Ben's depression may have been inevitable after he spent months supporting Maggie through her cancer battle and Ziggy with her marriage break-up.

A TV Week writer observed that the pair seem to share a good chemistry, as Ben enjoys Karen's "cheeky attitude".

Ben is "slightly buoyed" when Dean pays him, until he learns the lessons were free and arranged by his family, which leaves him feeling embarrassed and he tells them to go to hell.

[36] In an interview with the Radio Times' Johnathon Hughes, Dillman said that Ziggy has such a close relationship with Ben that "it kills her that he might not be her father, it's made her feel a bit lost and definitely thrown a spanner in the works.

[37] Dillman thought Marco's decision to stay in the Bay made it difficult for the family to move on, and she believed that he might be "desperate for some form of redemption", as he has got Ben in trouble in the past and could be still in love with Maggie.

[1] The scenes revisit the character's depression storyline, as it emerges that Ben took "a dangerous cocktail of drugs" to deal with the stress of his separation.

[40] Gemma's teenage son Nikau Parata (Kawakawa Fox-Reo) also notices their connection and takes an instant dislike to Ben.

[43] Their final scenes saw them spending their last night in the Bay reflecting on their time there, before attending a surprise goodbye lunch hosted by Alf and their friends.

"[44] A TV Week reporter observed that the Astoni family "have not had a smooth sea change" when Ben and Maggie bought the Pier and Diner.

[46] Ali Cromarty of New Idea pointed out the character was popular with the show's fans, saying that they "love Ben", and Nichol told her that people who visit the outdoor set "are always so happy to see me".

"[32] Stephanie McKenna of The West Australian branded the character a "future Darwin award winner" after he admitted to changing his dose of anti-depressants before his collapse.

[48] McKenna called the short romance between Ben and Gemma "a bit disappointing" because of the limited relationship options in Summer Bay, and she quipped "the producers love getting our hopes up and then crushing them.

"[2] McKenna was also critical of the character's persona when confronted, noting that "in typical Ben fashion he displays no emotion nor an ounce of personality", and adding that he also "rarely expresses an opinion".

[2] When Ben stopped Maggie from leaving town, McKenna wondered how much time he needed to make a decision about their marriage, commenting "Get over it and go back to her or move on.