NEW DOC on the block!
We chat to Home and Away’s latest signing, Zoe Ventoura – aka Alex Neilson…
Emergency medic Alex Neilson arrives in the Summer Bay ED this week to cover Tori’s maternity leave. She’s thrown straight in at the deep end when one of Robbo’s criminal connections is brought in – but newcomer Zoe Ventoura, who plays her, is already loving life in the Bay…
Hey Zoe! Can you tell us a bit about your character, Alex?
She is the strong, smart, incredibly capable doctor taking over as head of emergency while Tori is away. She doesn’t suffer fools, but is a great listener and sympathetic to her patients. Alex is open to alternative therapies, preferring to treat her patients with a more holistic approach.
She’s just getting over a break-up – what happened there?
Alex was in a relationship that she thought was ‘the one’ for 10 years, so was shell-shocked when it fell apart. She sees the Bay as a quiet, coastal town, the perfect place for her to mend her broken heart. Little does she know…
Did you know any of the Home and Away cast before you joined the show?
Yes! I used to be in a show called Packed To The Rafters, and we filmed in the studio next to Home and Away, so I would bump into them in the hallway. And James Stewart [Justin] was also on Rafters, so it’s really great to have an old co-star on set.
You’re married to ex-neighbours star Daniel Macpherson (Joel Samuels) – how did he feel about you joining the ‘rival’ soap?
Dan is my biggest supporter, so he is just happy when I am working on a great role that I am excited about – Alex is exactly that, and more!