Willow Harris (also Ranger) is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Home and Away, played by Sarah Roberts.
She auditioned successfully and attended screen testing with James Stewart who play's Willow's love interest Justin Morgan.
Writers quickly paired her with Justin and their relationship is marred by a feud with gang member Boyd Easton (Steve Le Marquand).
Producers introduced Willow's ex-boyfriend Dean Thompson (Patrick O'Connor) and the characters resume their relationship.
A gambling addiction story was written for Willow and she ends up stealing, loaning money, scamming people and squatting.
Roberts found the gambling story challenging and carried out extensive research to accurately portray the issue.
Prior to securing the role of Willow, actress Sarah Roberts auditioned for both Kat Chapman and Scarlett Snow.
[2] She flew up from Melbourne to Sydney for the on-set audition and had a chemistry reading with James Stewart, who plays Justin Morgan.
[2] Roberts remembered her first day playing Willow as "awesome", recalling dressing in leather, chains and transforming into character.
[3] Filled with energy and fun, the attractive, fit and dynamic Willow Harris is a delight – but cross her and it's like having a firecracker go off in your face.
Raised a single child in a broken home to a rough 'n' tumble dad, she learnt to look out for number one early.Willow is characterised as "a tough, dynamic and powerful" female and is surrounded by mostly male characters.
Roberts said that Willow proves herself to be "a tough cookie – she's a total firecracker", as she rides into Summer Bay on a motorbike.
Roberts said that Willow validates her tough persona in the scenes where she attacks Justin, ties him up and locks him in his garage overnight.
[7] Roberts told Tamara Cullen from TV Week that Willow "rode into town with a lot of power, she's definitely going to cause some mischief!
[11] Claire Crick from Soaplife reported that Justin quickly assumes the role of Willow's "knight in shining armour".
[12] Stewart told Sarah Ellis from Inside Soap that "Justin is becoming quite protective of Willow" and his character "is thrilled" when he gets to spend time with her.
The gym's manager John Palmer (Shane Withington) asks Justin to make the decision about hiring staff.
[citation needed] Producers soon introduced Willow's ex-boyfriend and old friend, Dean Thompson (Patrick O'Connor) into the show.
[17] A Home and Away publicist told Soaplife's Crick that Justin is later forced to trust Willow and leave Ava in her care.
But when Willow allows Ava to cook dinner, Justin is outraged at the sight of his daughter handling knives and boiling water.
[17] The story takes a sinister turn when Ava is kidnapped by Hazel Easton (Genevieve Lemon), who is Boyd's mother.
[19] Roberts told a reporter from Inside Soap that her character is "devastated" about her break-up with Justin, but does not want him to lose Ava.
[25] Willow and Dean begin squatting in Colby's apartment and he borrows money from a loan shark but cannot pay it back.
The actress told Ellis (Inside Soap) that Willow does not want to steal from "decent people", but feels that she has no choice.
She also defended her character over Alf and Irene's misfortune, revealing Willow "feels terrible" and "never meant to hurt anyone.
[22] During a feature on her relationship with Stewart, Roberts told Amy Price of The Courier-Mail that she had left Home and Away and was auditioning for new roles.
"[8] Tamara Cullen from TV Week branded her the "sexy, leather-clad Willow" and a "tough girl" who "made quite the impression on Justin.
[27] Inside Soap's Ellis said "watch out fellas... there's a feisty new chick riding into Summer Bay this week and she plans on taking no prisoners.
"[7] The editor of TV Soap magazine, Vesna Petropoulos branded Willow and Justin the "Summer Bay sweethearts".
[36] In the 2018 Digital Spy Reader Awards, Willow and Justin were nominated for "Best Soap Couple"; they came in last place with 1% of the total votes.