After a year defined by heartbreak, explosive drama, and career-defining performances, Home and Away star Sophea Pennington is finally allowing herself a moment to breathe.

As Summer Bay wraps up one of its most emotionally intense chapters in recent memory, the actress has opened up about her life beyond the cameras — sharing rare insight

into her off-screen romance with co-star Matt Evans, her reflections on a whirlwind year, and the festive plans that promise a much-needed reset.

For viewers, Sophea’s arrival in Home and Away was anything but gentle. Her character, Lacy Langham, burst onto screens in dramatic fashion, immediately colliding with her on-screen sister Joe in a reunion that quickly escalated into a fierce physical confrontation. It was raw, volatile, and impossible to ignore — a scene that instantly signalled Lacy’s presence as a force to be reckoned with in Summer Bay.

Yet behind the scenes, the reality could not have been more different. While Lacy and Joe’s early interactions were fuelled by anger, resentment, and unresolved trauma, Sophea and Madison Brown — who plays Joe — formed a close and effortless friendship almost immediately. The contrast between fiction and reality amused both actresses, who privately worried that audiences might sense how much fun they were having together despite portraying bitter rivals.

“We get along like a house on fire,” Sophea has revealed with a laugh. Long shooting days and emotionally charged scenes only strengthened their bond, making the sisters’ on-screen hostility all the more convincing. For Sophea, that trust proved essential as Lacy’s storyline grew darker and more demanding with each passing episode.

As is often the case in Summer Bay, peace was short-lived. Lacy soon found herself pulled into a devastating web of trauma, grief, and unanswered questions — particularly surrounding the hunt for her mother’s killer. What began as a quest for truth alongside Joe ultimately spiralled into tragedy, pushing both sisters to emotional breaking points and cementing their storyline as one of the show’s most harrowing arcs of the year.

At the heart of that tragedy was the death of Lacy’s boyfriend, Theo — portrayed by Matt Evans — in a storyline that left fans reeling. Theo’s death marked a turning point not just for Lacy, but for Sophea herself as an actor. The unraveling grief, shock, and chaos demanded a depth of emotional vulnerability that tested her limits.

“It’s been a complete roller coaster,” Sophea admits. “There was heartbreak, chaos, and so much emotional unraveling for Lacy.” She describes the storyline as one of the most challenging she has ever tackled, pushing her to access raw emotional spaces night after night. For audiences, the result was devastating television. For Sophea, it was a transformative experience.

What viewers didn’t see, however, was the striking contrast between the on-screen tragedy and Sophea’s off-screen reality. While Lacy mourned Theo’s death, Sophea’s real-life relationship with Matt Evans was quietly blossoming away from the spotlight. The separation between character and actor couldn’t have been more stark — and in many ways, that balance helped Sophea navigate the emotional toll of the storyline.

“It’s been beautiful, and I’m very grateful,” she says of their relationship. Sharing scenes with her real-life partner added an unexpected layer of intimacy and trust to their performances, making the experience even more meaningful. “It was a lot of fun to be able to work with Matt on screen and then continue that journey off screen,” she explains, acknowledging how rare and special that dynamic can be in such a demanding production environment.

For Evans, the year has also been pivotal. Known for his intensity and screen presence, the actor has previously spoken about his ambition to test himself on an international stage — including the possibility of breaking into Hollywood, a path well-trodden by Home and Away alumni. Sophea has no doubts about his future.

“He’s very talented,” she says confidently, hinting that major opportunities may be just around the corner. While she remains grounded about what lies ahead, her belief in her partner’s potential is unmistakable.

As the season finale fades into memory, fans are still grappling with the show’s shocking final moments — particularly the dramatic train crash that left Lacy trapped aboard, her fate hanging in the balance. True to form, Sophea remains tight-lipped about what lies ahead for her character, refusing to spoil what promises to be a gripping continuation when the show returns.

What she will reveal, however, is her excitement about stepping away from the intensity of Summer Bay and into a well-earned break. After such an enormous year, rest has become a priority — and Christmas will offer exactly that.

Sophea and Matt plan to spend the festive season in Perth with his family, embracing a relaxed Australian Christmas before heading overseas. From there, the couple will travel to Singapore to visit Sophea’s parents, before continuing on to Thailand for some long-overdue downtime.

“I’m excited to have a break,” she says simply. “It’s been a huge year.”

Looking back, Sophea reflects on a period that has reshaped her both professionally and personally. From explosive sibling rivalries and devastating loss to love, growth, and resilience, the past year has demanded everything she had to give — and more. Yet through it all, she remains deeply appreciative of the experience, the people she’s worked with, and the audience that has embraced Lacy’s journey so passionately.

As Home and Away prepares for its next chapter, Sophea Pennington stands at a crossroads filled with promise. Whether navigating heartbreak on screen or building a future off screen, one thing is clear: after a year of emotional extremes, she has more than earned her moment of calm — and fans will be waiting eagerly to see what comes next.