In a revelation that has stunned Home and Away fans and sent shockwaves through the Australian entertainment world, it’s been uncovered that rising star Sophie Pennington,

who recently joined the cast of the long-running soap, is actually the daughter of one of Australia’s most celebrated — and controversial — actors. Yes, you read that right.

The breakout newcomer who plays the mysterious newcomer Lila Cameron on Home and Away has a hidden Hollywood pedigree that producers reportedly tried to keep under wraps — until now.

According to exclusive industry sources, Sophie is the daughter of acclaimed stage and screen veteran Marcus Pennington, known for his iconic roles in classic Australian dramas of the ’90s and his fiery off-screen reputation that often made more headlines than his performances.

The revelation has fans reeling — not only because of the shock lineage but because Sophie herself has carefully avoided discussing her famous father in interviews. Now, insiders say her connection to Marcus was kept secret intentionally to allow her to “earn her place on merit.”

“She didn’t want anyone thinking she got her Home and Away role because of her father,” an insider told TV Weekly. “Sophie worked incredibly hard during auditions. Nobody on set even knew she was Marcus Pennington’s daughter until well after filming began. When word got out, people were stunned — she looks just like him when she smiles.”

Marcus Pennington, now 62, was a household name thanks to his breakout roles in Blue Heelers and Water Rats, but his personal life often overshadowed his career. His tumultuous relationships and tabloid scandals in the early 2000s left his name splashed across every gossip magazine in Australia. The revelation that Sophie is his daughter has reignited old interest in his past — and raised questions about why the two rarely appear together in public.

According to close sources, their relationship has been “complicated.” Marcus and Sophie’s mother reportedly separated when she was a child, and for years, Sophie was determined to forge her own path without leaning on her father’s fame.

“Marcus is proud of his daughter, but he respects that she wanted to build her career quietly,” another insider revealed. “Still, when she landed the Home and Away role, he was over the moon. He sent flowers to the set with a note saying, ‘Welcome to the family business.’”

Sophie’s character, Lila Cameron, has quickly become a fan favorite since arriving in Summer Bay. The young actress has been praised for her emotional depth and the mystery surrounding her character’s troubled past — a storyline that now eerily mirrors her real-life determination to overcome family drama and step into the spotlight on her own terms.

Fans have taken to social media to express their shock at the revelation, with many commenting on the uncanny resemblance between Sophie and her father. “No wonder she’s so talented,” one viewer posted. “It’s in her blood!”

Meanwhile, producers at Home and Away are reportedly thrilled with the publicity surrounding Sophie’s secret lineage, though they’ve made it clear that her success is entirely her own. “She blew us away at her audition,” said one senior producer. “It wouldn’t have mattered who her father was — Sophie earned her place on this show.”

As for Marcus, he’s kept quiet about the news, though sources claim he’s planning to make a rare public appearance in support of his daughter later this year — sparking rumors that he could even make a guest cameo in Home and Away’s 2026 season.

Whether or not that happens, one thing’s certain: Sophie Pennington is no longer just the new girl in Summer Bay — she’s the rising star of Australian television, carrying a legacy she can no longer hide.