Ryder Jackson is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Home and Away, played by Lukas Radovich.

When he arrives in Summer Bay Alf does not know he exists, but his aunt Roo Stewart (Georgie Parker) convinces him to stay.

Upon arrival he is portrayed as a "bad boy" committing thefts, including driving a stolen car which hits and injures Roo.

The writers made a friendship group between Ryder, Coco Astoni (Anna Cocquerel) and Raffy Morrison (Olivia Deeble).

[1] Radovich secured the part shortly after graduating from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and it marks his first acting role.

[2] Ryder is the son of Quinn Jackson (Lara Cox) and grandson of Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher).

Underneath it all, Ryder just wants to be loved.Ryder is characterised as a "mischievous" who initially causes "havoc" upon his arrival in Summer Bay.

"[3] His grandfather Alf Stewart takes on a "fatherly role" and helps Ryder's bad behaviour improve.

He told Damien Madigan from The Blue Mountain Gazette that "everyone knows who Alf Stewart is so it's pretty crazy.

[3] Radovich is six years older than his character but found the opportunity to play a school pupil "fun".

[7] Radovich told Sarah Ellis from Inside Soap that he thought Ryder's maturity had always been there but hid behind "humour and cracking jokes".

When he is later caught for trying to steal from Hunter King (Scott Lee) and VJ Patterson (Matt Little), Ryder explains that he is Alf's grandson.

Ryder refuses to give out Quinn's phone number, leading his aunt Roo Stewart (Georgie Parker) to suspect he has run away.

[1] Ryder also steals money from Alf's wallet and meets local resident Coco Astoni (Anna Cocquerel).

[12] Parker, who plays Roo told Zoe Burrell from New Idea that her character is "extremely excited" he is staying and part of the family.

Parker explained that Alf is convinced Ryder will return to live with Quinn and is afraid to build their relationship up only to lose him.

An Inside Soap reporter said that Ryder is full of "fury" and is so "angry" that he fails to notice Roo before running her over.

[16] Ryder later tries to impress Coco but she is preoccupied with her cancer stricken mother Maggie Astoni (Kestie Morassi).

Coco's father Ben Astoni (Rohan Nichol) becomes concerned and asks Alf and Roo to talk with Ryder.

Anti or pro-LGBT viewers argued via the social networking website Facebook, making their views about the kiss public.

[7] Williams has stated that prior to filming the kiss scene he had been in constant conversation with writers, directors and Radovich about how to portray it.

[23] Radovich told Digital Spy's Kilkelly that Ryder is shocked about the kiss, but more so because he misjudged Ty's feelings and tried to get him in a relationship with Raffy.

[7] In December 2021, New Idea's Catie Powers reported that Radovich was rumoured to be leaving Home and Away after he was photographed standing under a "Bon Voyage" banner at a party featuring cast and crew.

[27] The character's departure storyline began with him confiding in Dean Thompson (Patrick O'Connor) about his desire to leave the Bay and train as a casino croupier.

[27] After his character's exit scenes aired, Radovich took to his social media and stated "I can't really express how the last 5 years has felt or impacted my life so I'll keep it short.

[27] Johnathon Hughes from the Radio Times branded the character a "delinquent dude" and Quinn's "misbehaving offspring".

[30] Seth Adamson from TV Soap said that "the relationship between Coco and Ryder has been anything but smooth sailing since they first laid eyes on each other months ago."

[10] In November 2021, three critics for The West Australian placed Ryder at number 47 in their feature on the "Top 50 heroes we love and villains we hate" from Home and Away.

[31] Of the character, they wrote: "Confident, cocky and cheeky, Ryder arrived in Summer Bay as most teens do, with huge chips on both of his shoulders.

It was the first gay storyline in nine years, and while Ryder did not reciprocate Ty's (Darius Williams) feelings, he supported his friend's sexuality.