List of Home and Away characters (2008)
Ruby Buckton played by Rebecca Breeds, debuted on-scree on 20 June 2008. Ruby was created by executive producer Cameron Welsh. The serial's official website describes Ruby as being care free, though puts on a front to hide her emotions. Ruby arrives grieving for the loss of her mother, unlike her sister, Ruby takes an "internal approach and bottled it up inside", creating a facade and appearing to be strong. They also brand her as independent and does not care what others think about her and is inclined to keep to herself. Breeds stated: "Ruby has gone through a lot and had to gain a level of independence I really admire. She is free-spirited and sure of whom she is. I love playing Ruby; she is cheeky and easy-going, but very passionate about her family." 
In June 2012, Erin Miller of "TV Week" was reported that Breeds had filmed her final scenes and left "Home and Away". Breeds told Miller that she could not discuss her departure because of her contract with the series. She added that "Ruby is still very much alive, I'm not free of Ruby just yet". Breeds received a Logie Award nomination for "Most Popular New Female Talent" at the 51st Logie Awards for her portrayal of Ruby. and was later nominated for the "Most Popular Actress" Logie in 2010, with Breeds stating: "To know that people like Ruby makes me think I'm doing a good job." At the 2012 "Inside Soap" Awards, Breeds was nominated for "Best Daytime Star". Holy Soap recall Ruby's most memorable moment as being: "Trying to cope with her Dad's illness, Ruby started talking to someone on Skype, only to find out it was Matthew playing a trick. She got revenge by convincing him to go skinny-dipping and nicking his clothes."
List of Home and Away characters (2013)
Chris Harrington, played by Johnny Ruffo, made his first screen appearance on 1 April 2013. The character and Ruffo's casting was announced on 19 October 2012. Ruffo told Christine Sams from "The Sydney Morning Herald" that he had asked his agent to check out what roles were available, when the "Home and Away" part came up. After his first audition, he received a callback for a second audition. Ruffo called himself "very fortunate" after learning he had won the role because quite a few people also tried out for it. "Home and Away" marks Ruffo's acting debut and he relocated from Perth to Sydney for filming. He was initially contracted to appear in about sixteen episodes and he began shooting his first scenes in September. Ruffo's contract was later extended. Of his casting, Ruffo stated "I'm thrilled to be joining "Home and Away". The cast and crew have made me feel so welcome and can't wait for everyone to meet my character Chris next year." Chris is Spencer Harrington's (Andrew Morley) older brother. He comes to Summer Bay to visit Spencer and convince him to return home and sort things out with his family.