Ricky Sharpe (Home and Away)
Ricky Sharpe | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Home and Away character | |||||||
Portrayed by | Bonnie Sveen | ||||||
Duration | 2013–2016 | ||||||
First appearance | 2 April 2013 | ||||||
Last appearance | 7 June 2016 | ||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||
Introduced by | Lucy Addario | ||||||
Book appearances | Home and Away: An Eye for an Eye Home and Away: New Beginnings[1] | ||||||
Spin-off appearances | Home and Away: An Eye for an Eye (2015) | ||||||
|
Ricky Sharpe is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera
Ricky is portrayed as honest, fun, capable and someone with a good heart. Sveen said she shared some similarities with her character, including a passion for surfing. Ricky was introduced as the younger sister of
). Adam used Ricky to carry out a revenge scheme against Brax and his brothers.Brax and Ricky later developed a relationship, which put some pressure on Sveen as Brax's previous relationship with Charlie Buckton (Esther Anderson) had been popular with viewers. Their story arc saw Ricky wait for an incarcerated Brax, a miscarriage, a brief relationship with Nate Cooper (Kyle Pryor) and another pregnancy, which resulted in the birth of Ricky and Brax's son. Sveen won the Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent in 2014 for her portrayal of Ricky.
Casting
In the 30 March – 5 April 2013 edition of
Development
Characterisation
Ricky is full of energy, brutally honest and completely capable of standing on her own two feet. She surfs, enjoys a drink, and can fix a broken down car better than most of the boys. That's not to say she's tomboy-ish… she's not. She's just completely comfortable in her own skin, and that makes her sexy as hell.[6]
— An excerpt from Ricky's profile on the official Home and Away website.
In her fictional backstory, Ricky was surround by criminal activity due to her elder brother
Introduction
Ricky came to Summer Bay to attend Heath Braxton's (Dan Ewing) engagement party. Ricky was a friend of the family.[2] Peacocke commented, "Ricky was always the cheeky younger sister. She was always too young, but now she's grown up and looks great!"[2] Ricky and Darryl Braxton (Steve Peacocke) spent the party getting reacquainted and Brax expressed his sorrow about Adam's death. Ricky and Brax later went back to his house and had a one-night stand.[2] Peacocke said there was a spark between the characters and he believed Ricky would help take Brax back to a happier time.[2] Sveen confirmed that Ricky was hiding a big secret, which made her cautious about starting a relationship with Brax, so she tried to keep him "at arm's length".[9] Brax became curious about Ricky's past when he learned the police wanted to speak with her. Brax admitted that he had developed feelings for Ricky, in an attempt to get her to open up to him.[9] Sveen commented, "Initially, she doesn't believe what he's telling her and is a bit terrified. She wants nothing more than to tell him what's going on, as that would simplify everything if she could be up-front."[9] It later emerged that Adam was alive and using Ricky to exact his revenge on Brax and his brothers, as he believed that they had left him for dead.[10]
When Ricky started to develop genuine feelings for Brax, she decided to end their relationship to protect him.
When she threatened to tell Brax the truth, Adam ordered Ricky to be held hostage alongside Tamara Kingsley (Kelly Paterniti), Casey's girlfriend.[12] He then tried told Brax to choose which woman he wanted to save.[13] Meanwhile, Tamara was shocked to learn that Ricky had been in on the plan from the start.[13] Ricky convinced Tamara to trust her, before she seduced their guard and escaped. However, Tamara was too slow and the guard caught her. Ricky was also recaptured and Adam threatened to kill them both.[14] After Brax and Kyle rescued a badly injured Tamara, Brax tried to get to Ricky before Adam could hurt her.[15] He arranged to meet Adam at a warehouse, where he rescued Ricky. She tried to warn him that the whole thing was a trap, but Brax refused to leave her and Adam shot him.[15] During the subsequent court case, Ricky knew there was a strong chance that she would be handed a prison sentence.[16] Peacocke told an Inside Soap reporter that Brax realised that if he told the court that he and Ricky were in a relationship, he could avoid testifying against her.[16] When Tamara, who was suffering with amnesia, took to the stand, she managed to recall that Ricky had tried to help her, which resulted in Ricky getting a suspended sentence.[16]
Relationships
Darryl Braxton
Sveen admitted that she felt some pressure being cast as a love interest for Brax, following his popular relationship with Charlie Buckton (Esther Anderson). She said fans should accept that Ricky is "an entirely different character" that already shared history with the Braxtons.[4] Having forgiven Ricky for her part in Adam's revenge scheme, Brax asked her to move in with him, causing a rift in the family.[17] Ricky's initial instinct was to turn the offer down, knowing how much it would upset Casey. But she eventually changed her mind and accepted.[17] Sveen told Gavin Scott from TV Week that Ricky was "still in disbelief" that Brax's love for her had over ridden everything that had happened.[17] She also explained that as Ricky had known them all her life, she did not want to get in the way of Brax and Casey's relationship. Casey was displeased upon learning that Ricky was moving in, leaving her stuck in the middle as he and Brax argued.[17]
A few months later, Brax started acting out of character when the Barrett brothers turned up in the Bay. His mysterious behaviour caused concern for Ricky and she was "disturbed by his inability to share".
Shortly after another prison visit, Ricky fainted. She turned to
After learning that Adam was present when Johnny was killed, Ricky and Casey visited him in prison and learned he was actually responsible. They persuaded Adam to confess to Johnny's murder and Brax was freed.[22] He was initially hopeful that he and Ricky would reunite, but he then learned that she dating Nate. While Brax respected Nate, he made it clear to him that he wanted Ricky back.[22] When Ricky went to London for a job, Brax followed her and declared his love for her. Ricky rejected him, but he refused to give up and later crashed her photography assignment.[23] Sveen told Rebecca Lake of TV Week that while Ricky thought Brax's gesture in London was romantic, he also sabotaged the biggest opportunity of her life.[24] After Brax was rushed to the hospital with a blood clot, Ricky remained by his side and she contemplated giving their relationship a second chance.[24] Ricky and Brax later had sex, which left Ricky questioning whether she had made a mistake. However, with some good advice from Hannah Wilson (Cassie Howarth), Ricky and Brax reunited.[25]
In 2015, Peacocke announced his departure from Home and Away. Brax's exit storyline saw him sent to prison for a murder he did not commit.
Nate Cooper
Nate supported Ricky through her miscarriage and when she got caught up in a bomb explosion at the hospital.
Sveen thought Nate had opened up a new world for Ricky and he was allowing her a chance to reinvent herself, as well as reigniting her passion for photography.[29] When Brax returned to the Bay, Nate asked him to stay away from Ricky. She saw his actions as "condescending" and became frustrated at his interference.[27] Ricky eventually told Nate to leave her alone and he worried that he had lost her for good.[27] When Ricky learned that Nate had secured her a photography job in London, she immediately sought out Brax to tell him the news first.[27] On her return from London, Ricky came to the conclusion that she did not want to be with either Brax or Nate.[24] Nate later arranged for them to meet at Angelo's, where he declared his love for Ricky and told her he wanted to make her happy. However, Ricky eventually reunited with Brax.[30] Sveen later commented that Ricky's relationship with Nate had been a welcome distraction from the pain of her miscarriage.[24]
Motherhood
"Playing pregnant with the prosthetic belly helped me grow performance-wise. Ricky already has a strong, earthy energy to her. She doesn't really need grounding, but it helped my performance to change balance by changing my body. It was fun to play."[31]
—Sveen on how pregnancy affected her performance of Ricky
In late April 2014, Sveen started filming scenes for a pregnancy storyline.[31] Ricky was "over the moon" when she learned she was pregnant with Brax's child. However, before she could tell him, she learned that Casey had been shot and killed.[32] Ricky felt unable to tell Brax the news and she confided in Phoebe Nicholson (Isabella Giovinazzo), who urged her to be happy about the development before she worries about anyone else.[32] In order to portray Ricky's pregnancy, Sveen was required to wear a prosthetic pregnancy suit for several months. The suit represented five different stages of the baby's growth.[33] The storyline was played out over eight to nine months in real time, and Sveen commented that it felt "like the world's longest pregnancy. It's gone on for about a year since the time we started shooting."[31] Sveen carried out research at the Royal Hospital for Women and spoke to a midwife about how Ricky's behaviour would be affected by the various stages of pregnancy.[31]
Sveen said the pregnancy was one of her more memorable and fun storylines as an actor.[33] Sveen filmed the birth scenes in late 2014.[31] Ricky went into labour at home alone, forcing her to attract her neighbour John Palmer's (Shane Withington) attention. Sveen said that Ricky was "very scared" when she went into labour, as she did not think she would be doing it alone.[34] She also said that Ricky was terrified without Brax and added, "she needs to manage everything and she doesn't like to lose that sense of control – she's been a bit of a matriarch and she finds it difficult to lean on other people."[31] On the way to the hospital, John suffered a flat tyre, but they eventually made it to the ward. Kyle remained by Ricky's side as she gave birth to a son.[34] Sveen told an Inside Soap writer, "It's an incredible moment for Ricky when she holds her son for the first time. She finally feels free of all the fear and anxiety. Her baby is her future now."[34] The actress added that despite the circumstances of the birth, Ricky would be a strong, but loving mother.[34]
A week after giving birth, Ricky introduced the baby to Brax for the first time. Sveen explained that Ricky was excited by the event and tried to remain upbeat during the meeting, knowing that Brax would have to go back to a lonely prison cell at the end.[35] Ricky and Brax agreed to name their son Casey, after his late uncle.[35] Following the visit, Ricky broke down and Sveen explained, "She doesn't feel the need to hide her sadness once she's out of Brax's sight. Ricky's able to drop the facade and let her feelings flood out. She's lonely and struggling, and feels a bit hopeless."[35] A few weeks later, Ricky was told that Brax had died and she struggled to stop Casey from crying. Sveen thought the baby was picking up on Ricky's anxiety.[36] Ricky also found it hard to look at Casey as he reminded her of Brax. When Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons) offered to look after Casey for the evening, Ricky took the opportunity to skip town to grieve for Brax on her own.[36] Sveen added that Ricky "cares for Casey deeply", but she was just in a dark place.[36]
Marriage to Nate and Brax's return
Ricky eventually reconciled with Nate Cooper, and Sveen said Ricky was the "happiest she's been in a long time".[37] At Zac MacGuire (Charlie Clausen) and Leah Patterson-Baker's (Ada Nicodemou) wedding reception, Nate proposes to Ricky. Sveen described the moment as "a fairy-tale proposal" and Ricky immediately says yes.[37] However, shortly afterwards, she learned from Ash and Phoebe that Brax was still alive. Ricky went into shock and then realised that she was angry with Brax, who let her believe he was dead for six months.[37] Sveen said, "Ricky finally has everything she wants in her life and then this news makes her perfect world explode."[37] Nate did not take the news well and Ricky had to reassure him that it did not change anything between them. However, Nate chose to end their engagement, so she could deal with Brax.[37] When asked if Ricky was still in love with Brax, Sveen replied that a part of her always would be, but learning that he was not dead just reaffirmed her love for Nate.[37]
In the show's first two-hander episode, Ricky came face-to-face with Brax. He emerged from the bathroom, leaving Ricky "in absolute shock".[38] He tried to explain his reasons for faking his own death and leaving her and Casey behind. Of Ricky's reaction, Sveen commented "Ricky isn't having a bar of it. She believes that Brax should have let her in on his plan. She can't understand why he wouldn't trust her with this secret, rather than someone like Ash."[38] Brax asked for Ricky's forgiveness, but she made it clear to him that she was with Nate. Despite this, Brax tried to kiss her. Sveen explained that Ricky pulls away from the kiss and walks away, as she believes Nate is the right man for her.[38] Brax begged Ricky to go on the run with him, but she refused and he left after being reunited with Casey. Sveen enjoyed filming the episode, saying it was good to work with Peacocke again.[38]
Departure
On 5 April 2016, it was confirmed that Sveen would be leaving Home and Away as she had been cast in upcoming drama The Secret Daughter.[39] Sveen thanked the cast, crew and viewers on her social media account following the announcement. She stated "Playing Ricky has shaped me forever. I carry every bond that was forged and so many fond memories, into the new beginning."[40] Ricky departed on 7 June 2016, after reuniting with Brax.[41]
Storylines
Ricky comes to Summer Bay for Heath Braxton and Bianca Scott's engagement party. She is reunited with her former crush Darryl Braxton and they have a one-night stand. They continue to meet up, but Ricky always disappears afterwards claiming that she has to work. Brax learns the police are looking for Ricky and she tells him that she has been dealing with her late brother, Adam's estate. Ricky accesses Brax's business account and transfers $100,000 to Connie Callahan, the grandmother of Heath's daughter. When Kyle Braxton notices the missing money, Ricky tells him Brax is having money troubles. When Brax declares his love for her, Ricky rejects him. She then meets up with Adam, and it emerges that he is using her to get revenge on the Braxtons. Ricky pays Kyle to collect a package, which contains a gun, and plants it in Casey's Braxton's flat. Ricky tries to convince her brother to abandon his revenge plan, but he refuses. He then frames Casey for armed robbery. When Ricky threatens to tell Brax about the revenge plan, Adam takes her hostage alongside Tamara Kingsley.
Ricky flirts with their guard and manages to overpower him and escape. However, she runs into Adam who takes her and Tamara to a warehouse. Ricky persuades Adam to release Tamara. Brax finds Ricky and frees her, before Adam shoots him. At the hospital, Ricky tells the police the truth about Adam's plan and her part in it. She tells Brax that she loves him and he later asks her to move in with him. At Ricky's trial, Brax refuses to testify, while Tamara remembers that Ricky tried to help her. Ricky is given a two-year suspended sentence. When Brax invites Josh Barrett to stay with them, Ricky initially believes that Brax is the boy's father. Brax explains that Josh's father, Johnny, had hit Casey and Brax pushed him away causing him to hit his head and die. Ricky asks Brax not to tell anyone, but he confesses to the police and is arrested. Brax is sent to prison for fifteen years, while Ricky agrees to support Josh. Ricky argues with Kyle when she learns that he warned her friend Nate Cooper away from her.
Ricky faints after visiting Brax in prison and Nate suspects she is pregnant, which is confirmed by a pregnancy test. The rest of the family find out, but before Ricky can tell Brax, he breaks up with her. When she starts bleeding, Ricky believes she is losing the baby. At the hospital, she is given the all-clear, but she is then caught up in a bomb explosion. Ricky suffers minor injuries, but later miscarries the baby. Ricky spends time with Nate and kisses him. After Heath tells her not to wait for Brax, she moves out and begins dating Nate. Adam contacts Ricky and she agrees to meet him, along with Casey. Adam admits that he actually killed Johnny and Brax is released, just as Ricky is offered a photography assignment in London. When she learns Nate warned Brax to stay away from her, she tells them both that she is going to London and might not come back. Ricky invites Bianca to come with her, while Brax, Heath and Casey follow them there. Brax pleads with Ricky to give him a second chance, but she rejects him. Bianca and Heath later tell Ricky that Brax has been struck by a car .
On her return home, Ricky breaks up with Nate. He tells her he loves her, but she has sex with Brax. She also tells him about the miscarriage and they get back together. Ricky is hurt when Nate introduces her to his estranged wife,
Brax arrested for
Ricky worries when she cannot get Casey to stop crying, while it appears everyone else can. Nate suggests that Casey is picking up on her fear and tension. Kyle informs Ricky of Brax's plan to break out of jail and decided to join him on the run. However, Kat breaks the news that Brax is presumed dead, after the car transferring him to a new prison had been run off the road into a river. Ricky accepts Brax's death and holds a small memorial for him. She later leaves Casey with Marilyn Chambers, while she goes away to grieve. On her return, Ricky holds a naming ceremony for Casey. Ricky grows close to Nate again, which makes his girlfriend, Kat, suspicious. Ricky and Nate later admit that they have feelings for each other, and they have sex. Kat throws a drink over Ricky when she learns the truth. Kat and Nate get back together, despite Nate's feelings for Ricky. Ricky tries to persuade Kyle not to leave the Bay and he kisses her. Nate eventually breaks up with Kat to be with Ricky.
After learning that Nate is estranged from his father, Ricky contacts
Reception
For her portrayal of Ricky, Sveen was nominated for Best Daytime Star at the 2014
A TV Week writer stated that Ricky had "been a force to be reckoned with since arriving in Summer Bay."[48] While Tony Stewart, writing for the Daily Record, observed "Ricky's been involved in some very dodgy doings in the Bay".[49] Another TV Week columnist noted that "sparks flew when Ricky and Brax saw each other again at Heath’s (Dan Ewing) engagement party..."[50] Shannon Molloy of news.com.au commented that Ricky had become one the show's most popular characters, and that she and Brax were also "firm fan favourites".[33] A contributor to the Inside Soap Yearbook proclaimed that Ricky "was the luckiest girl in Australia when she bagged hunky doctor Nate."[51] In 2016, Sarah Ellis of Inside Soap quipped "Mum, businesswoman, and romancer of Hunky Doctor Nate. Ricky, we salute you!"[52]
In 2018, writers for TV Week included Ricky in their feature on the "Top 20 Home And Away characters of all time". They wrote, "Honest and with a heart of gold, Ricky Sharpe is one of the all-time sweethearts of Summer Bay. However, what endeared her most to Home and Away fans was that she became one part of the super-couple that was Brax and Ricky. From incarceration to a miscarriage, marriage and eventually a baby son, their relationship was a rollercoaster. The popularity of the pair as a couple throughout all the drama cemented their status as Summer Bay royalty. All hail the king and queen!"[53]
References
- ISBN 9780349413839. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Miller, Erin (30 March – 5 April 2013). "Brax's hot hook-up". TV Week (13): 14–15.
- ^ a b c Martain, Tim (4 April 2013). "TV falls for Tassie's Bonnie". The Mercury. Archived from the original on 2 May 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Fans tell me they hate me...then ask for a photo!". Inside Soap (5): 52–53. 8–14 February 2014.
- ^ "Soap Diary". TV Week (13): 46. 30 March – 5 April 2013.
- ^ Yahoo!7. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
- ^ Yahoo7. 13 August 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
- ^ a b Mac, Sally (25 February 2015). "Bonnie Sveen on learning to surf on the set of hit show Home & Away". The Mermaid Society. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
- ^ a b c "Does Brax's lady have a hidden agenda?". TV Week (16): 46. 20–26 April 2013.
- ^ a b c Miller, Erin (4–10 May 2013). "Her brother's keeper". TV Week (18): 4–5.
- ^ a b c Miller, Erin (11–17 May 2013). "Bad blood brothers". TV Week (19): 10–11.
- ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (15 June 2013). "'Home and Away' kidnap, 'Neighbours' Mark dramas – spoiler pictures". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
- ^ a b Ellis, Sarah (29 June – 5 July 2013). "Brax's deadly decision!". Inside Soap (26): 18–19.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (22 June 2013). "'Neighbours' betrayal, 'Home and Away' terror – spoiler pictures". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
- ^ a b "Brax shot!". Inside Soap (27): 27. 6–12 July 2013.
- ^ a b c "Will Ricky go to jail?". Inside Soap (39): 23. 28 September – 4 October 2013.
- ^ a b c d Scott, Gavin (29 June – 5 July 2013). "Battle of the Braxtons". TV Week (26): 5.
- ^ a b c d Miller, Erin (28 September – 4 October 2013). "Brax behind bars!". TV Week (39): 10–11.
- ^ a b c "Jailhouse shock!". Inside Soap (3): 27. 25–31 January 2014.
- ^ a b "Ricky's pregnant!". TV Week (5): 30. 8–14 February 2014.
- ^ Tvnz.co.nz. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
- ^ a b c "Brax is back!". Inside Soap (14): 26. 12–18 April 2014.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (17 May 2014). "Home and Away London drama, Neighbours catfight – spoiler pictures". Digital Spy. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
- ^ a b c d Lake, Rebecca (12–18 April 2014). "Ricky's love triangle". TV Week (15): 12–13.
- ^ Dainty, Sophie (14 April 2014). "Home and Away: Ricky Sharpe, Brax to rekindle romance". Digital Spy. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
- ^ Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Has Nate lost Ricky?". TV Week (11): 16–17. 15–21 March 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Ricky loves Nate?". Inside Soap (12): 28. 29 March – 4 April 2014.
- ^ Yahoo7. 13 March 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- ^ "Ricky sleeps with Brax!". Inside Soap (23): 25. 14–20 June 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f Schipp, Debbie (17 May 2015). "Home And Away's Ricky played by Bonnie Sveen finally gives birth on screen". Herald Sun. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
- ^ a b "Ricky is pregnant!". Inside Soap (44): 30. 8–14 November 2014.
- ^ a b c Molloy, Shannon (30 January 2015). "Home And Away favourite Bonnie Sveen talks her character's pregnancy and the show's new season". news.com.au. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Ricky's a mum!". Inside Soap (27): 29. 11–17 July 2015.
- ^ a b c "Brax meets his boy". Inside Soap (28): 26. 18–24 July 2015.
- ^ a b c Downie, Stephen (27 June – 3 July 2015). "Away from home". TV Week (26): 10–11.
- ^ a b c d e f Barrett, Kerry; Morgan, Laura (12–25 March 2016). "Brax is alive!". All About Soap (370): 14–15.
- ^ a b c d "Ricky's shock... Brax is back!". Inside Soap (13): 28. 2–8 April 2016.
- ^ Byrnes, Holly (5 April 2016). "Jessica Mauboy lures best friend Bonnie Sveen from Summer Bay to The Secret Daughter". The Mercury. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ "Bonnie Sveen breaks her silence about leaving Home And Away". Women's Day. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- Southern Cross Media. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ Dainty, Sophie (29 July 2014). "Inside Soap Awards 2014 longlist revealed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ^ "2014 Logies blog". The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 April 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ^ Willis, Charlotte (22 March 2015). "Here's the full List of 2015 Logies nominations". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ^ Dainty, Sophie (14 July 2015). "Inside Soap Awards 2015 longlist revealed: Who's in line for Best Actor, Actress and Newcomer?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- TV Week Soap Extra(22): 24–25. 15–28 October 2015.
- ^ Dunk, Tiffany (4 April 2016). "Waleed Aly to vie with Project co-host Carrie Bickmore, Lee Lin Chin, Essie Davis and Grant Denyer for Gold Logie". news.com.au. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
- ^ "Home and Away: Ricky's biggest moments". TV Week. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
- ^ Stewart, Tony (22 June 2013). "It's Time to Leave; Tanya Feels That There's No Option but to Get Away after Lauren's Troubles". Daily Record. Retrieved 12 September 2015.(subscription required)
- ^ "Ricky & Brax: A love story". TV Week. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
- ^ "The best bits of April". Inside Soap Yearbook 2015 (1): 30. November 2014.
- ^ Ellis, Sarah (13–19 February 2016). "Soap box". Inside Soap (6): 94–95.
- ^ "We rank the top 20 Home And Away characters of all time". TV Week. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
External links
- Ricky Sharpe at the Official Home and Away AU website