List of Home and Away characters introduced in 2008

Trent Dalzell as Axel Hay, David Downer as Ross Buckton and Celeste Dodwell as Melody Jones made their first appearances in March.

Hayes told Jason Herbison from Inside Soap that "things are really awkward between Kirsty and Bartlett, because he's fallen for her in a big way, but she rejected him and is now dating Miles Copeland (Josh Quong Tart).

Following Sally's stabbing at the hands of Johnny Cooper (Callan Mulvey), Martin is appointed principal by the school board.

One of his first acts is to hire Jazz Curtis (Rachel Gordon) as his secretary, after she blackmails him, after seeing him at an illegal fight Ric Dalby (Mark Furze) is involved in.

Martin learns of Kirsty's relationship with Miles and he fires her but writes her a reference enabling her to get a job at the sands resort.

Martin arranges a school trek in memory of Dan Baker (Tim Campbell) on the anniversary of his death for some of the students to take part in.

Jai and Annie disappear much to his ire and things are exacerbated when Trey Palmer (Luke Bracey) holds the everybody hostage by planting a bomb underneath the bus.

The strain of recent events becomes apparent and Martin leaves for a cruise but not before appointing Gina Austin (Sonia Todd) new principal.

In the build-up to Axel's exit from the series, he and Jai Fernandez (Jordan Rodrigues) are knocked over by a drunken Larry Jefferies (Paul Gleeson) and he leaves the scene.

Todd Lasance who plays Aden Jefferies in the series told Jason Herbison of Inside Soap that "suddenly you see Larry lose control of his car and hit something...

Axel attends Nicole Franklin's (Tessa James) house party and makes advances towards on to Belle Taylor (Jessica Tovey) but is rejected.

When Geoff Campbell (Lincoln Lewis) finds out what happened, he threatens Axel, who is later beaten up and found on the beach by Belle.

Ross arrives at Yabbie Creek Police Station to investigate the murder of Sam Holden (Jessica Chapnik).

He interviews Martha MacKenzie (Jodi Gordon), the ex-wife of Sam's widower, Jack (Paul O'Brien) and quizzes her over a suicide note, which he believes to be fake.

"[10] Fellow cast member Celeste Dodwell who plays Melody Jones originally auditioned for the part of Nicole.

[6] Holy Soap said that Nicole's most memorable moment was when she "returned to the desert island with Geoff to rekindle their love" and she was held hostage by Derek the murderer, before her father came to the rescue.

[12] The Daily Record branded her a "fiery favourite"[13]TV Week chose James as one of the serial's most promising actresses opining she was ready for roles in Hollywood.

[15] Jai has a back story in which he lost his entire family in Phuket during the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami and he met the established character of Miles Copeland (Josh Quong Tart) who had also suffered the deaths of his relatives.

Rodrigues told Stewart that the character's loss created a "connection" between them and it made Miles bring Jai to Summer Bay.

He makes a friend in fellow outcast Axel Hay (Trent Dalzell) and they get into various kinds of trouble and take a joyride on Matilda Hunter's (Indiana Evans) scooter.

Trey Palmer (Luke Bracey) begins bullying Jai and harassing Miles and Kirsty Phillips (Christie Hayes).

Jai's relationship with Annie takes another turn when he drunkenly reveals at Ruby Buckton's (Rebecca Breeds) 16th birthday party, he wants to sleep with her.

Jai's spirits are lifted when Romeo Smith (Luke Mitchell), an old friend from foster care arrives to stay at Summer Bay House.

[19][20] In November 2011, Jonathon Moran and Elle Halliwell of The Daily Telegraph announced Anderson had quit Home and Away to further her acting career in Hollywood.

[21] The following month, Inside Soap writer Sarah Ellis reported Anderson had confirmed her departure from the show.

"[29] In June 2012, Erin Miller of "TV Week" was reported that Breeds had filmed her final scenes and left Home and Away.

[35] The Courier-Mail reported that Jacobz had moved from South Australia to Sydney and was going to sign up to work as a labourer, when he received the offer to play Angelo.

[42] In one storyline Elliot sets puts the lives of Roman Harris (Conrad Coleby), Nicole Franklin (Tessa James) and Geoff Campbell (Lincoln Lewis) in danger.

Elliot refuses to accept this story and begins playing mind games with Roman, first by dating his 17-year-old daughter, Nicole.

Elliot forces Nicole onto a boat preparing to take her out to sea when they are spotted by Geoff Campbell who decides to join them.