Jacqui Purvis IN FOCUS

THE HOME AND AWAY STAR IS AN ASPIRING FILMMAKER CREATING WORK ON HER OWN TERMS

- Cynthia Wang 

Since Home and Away returned in January, restaurant co-owner Felicity Newman has had to face her fear of commitment, a scratched wedding, a car crash, a descent into depression and alcohol, and a reckoning with past family trauma. But coming out the other side, she has also rekindled her love with gym boss Tane Parata, delivered a fresh proposal and set things in motion for their second chance at tying the knot.

Each one of those would be exciting elements of a long-running character arc for any rising actor, but for Jacqui Purvis as spontaneous and effervescent Felicity, she’s experienced all of them (and being kidnapped, no less) in the 18 months she’s been a part of the Summer Bay family. “I just keep counting my lucky stars because I can’t believe how lucky I’ve been with my storylines,” Purvis tells WHO. “I remember thinking when I started this job, ‘Just work as hard as possible so they have no reason to fire you.’ I think that’s what’s helped me get to where I am.”