Luke Van Os and Kirsty Marillier of Home and Away discuss their roles as Jasmine’s long-lost siblings, paramedic Xander and cop Rose, on the drama.
Summer Bay is poised to heat up with the arrival of Luke Van Os and Kirsty Marillier, who play newcomers Xander and Rose Delaney on Home and Away.
When the couple arrived with the news that her father, who abandoned her as a toddler, had died and left her an estate, Jasmine Delaney (Sam Frost) was taken aback.
The biggest surprise, though, was learning that Xander and Rose were her half-siblings!
Actors Luke Van Os (a cousin of Hollywood stars Chris and Luke Hemsworth) and Kirsty Marillier spoke with What To Watch about their backgrounds and what to anticipate from the show’s newest paramedic and police officer as Xander and Rose prepare to settle in the bay.
Home and Away’s Luke Van Os
Hello, Luke! Summer Bay is a wonderful place to visit. How does it feel to be following in the footsteps of your cousin Chris Hemsworth and landing a job on Home and Away?
“Chris has always spoken so highly of his time on Home and Away [as Kim Hyde]. To be experiencing it myself is a dream come true.
“He helped me run my lines before my final audition with the producers. Since booking the job he has continued to say, ‘work hard and have fun’, which is what I’m doing!”
What did you do before joining Home and Away?
“I’ve been studying acting and auditioning for the last nine years with lots of rejection. I landed a few independent and short films and some small parts on TV shows, but this is my first major role.
“I play music in my spare time as a hobby. Personally, I don’t think I’m good enough to bring that to screen but you never know! It could be something interesting at a later date if the writers decide.”
Could you give us some background about Xander Delaney?
“Xander is a wonderful man who cares about his family and will go to great lengths to help and defend them.” Because he’s a paramedic, expect a lot of action!
“He’s unmarried, and at this point, he’s a little taken aback by his new sister and his father’s untimely death. Who knows, though, what the future contains.
“There’s a lot to learn about Xander, and he has some prior secrets!”
What did Xander and Rose expect Jasmine to say when they told her they were her siblings?
“I think the most nerve-wracking element for Xander was not knowing how she would react.” He was ready for anything and determined to accept whatever she had to say.
“Until their father died, Xander had no known they had a secret sibling.” He was eager to see her and learn more about her, but he was aware that she might not share his enthusiasm.
“At the very least, he and Rose wanted to give her the inheritance.”
You’ve been filming now for a number of months, how has it been?
“It’s been amazing! The cast have been so supportive and I’ve had so much fun in the process. The beaches are beautiful. Xander’s not the only one who loves Summer Bay!”
Kirsty Marillier
Hello Kirsty! Welcome to the show. You’re a playwright as well as an actor. Can you tell us more?
“I am! I write as a means of exercising my inner creative. I have two plays in the works and I’m currently developing my third.
“My debut play, Orange Thrower, premiered earlier this year in Sydney with the Griffin Theatre Company and National Theatre of Parramatta.
“I’ve wanted to be an actor since about the age of 14, after doing drama in Year 9 at Leeming Senior High School in Perth, Western Australia.
“I had a terrific drama teacher and felt like I excelled in her classes.”
Are your family excited about you joining Home and Away?
“My family are excited beyond belief! They watch it over dinner every night. Since going to air [Home and Away airs in Australia four weeks before the UK] my mum hasn’t stopped texting me!”
Could you give us some background about Rose? What kind of lady does she seem to be?
“Rose is tenacious and super strong-willed. She’s a young woman full of agency, charisma, and contradiction. I’m constantly discovering new things about her and find her so compelling to play.”
We find out Rose is a cop. Can you tell us more?
“Xander and Rose grew up in a regional area but after university and police academy, Rose moved to the city to become a police constable.
“When a young man steals money out of the cash register at the diner, Rose automatically goes into cop mode and chases after him. She kicks a car door shut and arrests him!
“I’m looking forward to doing more action-packed scenes. I already feel like I’ve had such juicy storylines as a result of being part of the Yabbie Creek Police.”
Does Rose warm to Jasmine when she meets her?
“Rose has the best intentions when meeting Jasmine. But as tension rises between them it becomes more difficult to connect.
“The trickiness of their relationship is understandable given the circumstances. Rose was raised by Jasmine’s biological father and, as a result, she holds a sense of guilt.
“Jasmine holds a slight sense of distrust, which makes things hard for the sisters.
“However, Rose’s wish to befriend Jasmine is genuine. She grew up in a tight relationship with their father, so there’s a lot of curiosity.”
When Rose first meets Cash, she is very flirty with him! Is it possible that it may cause problems if she learns that Cash is Jasmine’s boyfriend?
“Rose initially finds Cash alluring, but she isn’t someone who wants to cause trouble. The minute she finds out that Cash is dating her sister, she respects it for what it is.”
What can we expect to see from Rose as she settles into the Bay?
“Some sibling rivalry, a touch of heartbreak, and a whole lot of police action!
You’ve been filming on Home and Away for a number of months now. How has it been?
“A truly life-changing experience. I’ve learned and continue to learn so much! Every day on set throws a new set of challenges, learning curves and achievements.”
