Nicole Franklin is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Tessa James.

Nicole was mentioned various times before appearing on-screen, James was cast in the role and described by Welsh as an "exciting talent".

Their storyline allowed the actors to take part in one of the serial's "biggest ever location shoots", when the couple became stranded on a remote desert island.

In one storyline Nicole was involved in a same sex kiss with fellow character Freya Duric, which was branded controversial by various media sources.

Nicole felt she was too young and unable to offer a child stability, so she agreed to let Marilyn Chambers adopt the baby upon its birth.

Nicole is Roman Harris' (Conrad Coleby) daughter and she was often mentioned on-screen before producers decided to introduce her into the serial.

Executive producer Cameron Welsh said "She is an exciting talent and I think audiences are going to love her character and respond really well to her.

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

[11] Whilst interviewed by The Daily Telegraph, James stated: "I think she's the best character, I get to have so much fun being a princess and a prima donna.

The island was a place where nothing stood in the way of their true feelings, so she hopes that going back will wash away all the bad stuff that's been happening between them lately.

Nicole decided to plan a return trip to the island, believing it would solve their problems and bring them closer together.

Their trip soon turned disastrous when a man named Derrick Quaid (John Atkinson) stole their food and intimidated the couple.

[22] Later that year the serial included a storyline which was branded "bizarre" after it mirrored a real life scandal that had occurred weeks earlier.

James described Nicole's state of mind adding, "She's quite vulnerable at the moment, with her dad, Roman, in prison.

[25] One of the conditions of Aden's tenancy was to never sleep with Nicole, so this made the pair feel guilty that they had deceived Roman.

Lasance felt the storyline was controversial as he had a strong fan base for his relationship with Belle Taylor (Jessica Tovey) - which meant he knew it would "cause a stir" and divide the audience.

She said that no one knew what was going to happen with Liam Murphy (Axle Whitehead) and that Nicole felt guilty for betraying Belle because she was her friend.

[29] At the time Nicole had endured repetitive personal trauma including failed relationships, Roman being sent to prison and her best friend Belle was dying of cancer.

[29] She then started relying on alcohol more, and partied with fellow "wild child" Indigo Walker (Samara Weaving) at a "rowdy" venue.

[30] James told Sunrise that viewers could expect a "realistic portrayal of teen pregnancy" and she explained that it was important to respect the issue.

[33] During the final few weeks of her pregnancy Nicole began to receive increasing support from Angelo Rosetta (Luke Jacobz).

"[34] Angelo was forced to help Nicole give birth to a baby boy, George, and she handed him over to Marilyn immediately as agreed.

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.

[36] Inside Soap opined that Nicole was a "flighty minx from the city who prays at the altar of Paris Hilton".

[38] They later branded her a "fiery favourite"[39] and when she started dating Penn, they said "Impressionable Nicole looks set to fall for the wrong man all over again".

[40] When Nicole had her HIV scare Holy Soap said "As if defending her man against the Bay's critics wasn't enough for one girl to take, poor Nic".

[27] TV Week chose James as one of the serial's most promising actresses opining she was ready for roles in Hollywood.

After the plot was halfway through Erin Miller of TV Week said that Nicole had changed her mind about adopting her baby "more times that Julia Gillard has uttered the phrase 'moving forward'".

Well, maybe not... but you could forgive pregnant teen Nicole for thinking that after a casual stroll along the Bay's beach ends with Angelo delivering her newborn son!

"[47] Miller later criticised Nicole's career in fashion, after John told her he hated her designs for the Surf Club.