Home and Away Shock: Jacqui Purvis Teases Possible Return – Best Job I’ve Ever Had
In the ever-evolving world of Home and Away, where heartbreak and hope often walk hand in hand, few departures have lingered in the minds of viewers quite like
Jacqui Purvis’ exit in 2024. Now, more than a year after her emotional farewell, the former Home and Away star has reignited fan excitement by openly discussing
the possibility of a return to Summer Bay—calling her time on the iconic Australian soap “the best job I’ve ever had.”
Purvis, who brought fire, vulnerability, and emotional depth to the role of Felicity Newman, left the series in August 2024 after her character was killed off in a devastating storyline. Felicity’s sudden death from a brain aneurysm sent shockwaves through the fandom, marking the end of one of the show’s most compelling character arcs. Yet, as soap fans know all too well, death in Summer Bay does not always mean goodbye forever.

A Farewell That Never Quite Felt Final
Felicity Newman’s exit was as brutal as it was heartbreaking. One moment she was navigating the complexities of love, family, and self-discovery; the next, she was gone. The suddenness of her death left viewers reeling, particularly because Felicity remained deeply connected to the fabric of Summer Bay.
Her turbulent relationship with ex-husband Tane Parata and her unbreakable bond with her twin brother Cash Newman ensured that Felicity’s presence continued to be felt long after her final scene. Many fans felt there was unfinished business—emotional threads left dangling, stories left untold.
In a genre famous for dramatic reversals, secret siblings, and miraculous survivals, speculation began almost immediately. Could Felicity have survived? Was there a twist yet to be revealed? Or could the show introduce a previously unknown twin, a trope Home and Away has successfully employed before?
“Never Say Never”: Jacqui Purvis Speaks Out
Fueling those theories, Purvis herself has now addressed the possibility of returning to the show—and her words have only intensified fan hopes. Speaking candidly, the actor made it clear she holds nothing but affection for Home and Away and the character who defined a pivotal chapter of her career.

“I love that job and I love that character,” Purvis said, smiling as she reflected on her time in Summer Bay. “Never say never.”
It was a simple statement, but one loaded with meaning. In an industry where actors often distance themselves from past roles, Purvis did the opposite—praising the experience wholeheartedly and admitting she still misses the daily rhythm of life on set.
“It truly was the best job I’ve ever had,” she shared, emphasizing not only the creative fulfillment the role brought her, but also the sense of community that came with it.
A Soap That Became Her Acting School
Unlike many performers who arrive on long-running soaps with years of formal training behind them, Purvis has often described Home and Away as her real-world education. Without attending a traditional acting school, she credits the series with shaping her skills, confidence, and professional discipline.
“That was pretty much my uni,” she explained, acknowledging how the fast-paced demands of soap storytelling forced her to grow quickly as a performer. From emotionally raw scenes to high-stakes dramatic arcs, the role of Felicity Newman challenged her in ways that no classroom ever could.
For Purvis, Home and Away was more than a job—it was a proving ground. And it is perhaps this deep-rooted gratitude that makes the idea of a return feel less like wishful thinking and more like a genuine possibility.
A Cast That Felt Like Family
Beyond the scripts and storylines, Purvis has spoken warmly about the relationships she formed behind the scenes. She remains close with several former castmates, including Stephanie Panozzo, Juliet Godwin, and Ethan Browne, describing the Home and Away ensemble as a family that is incredibly difficult to leave behind.
That sense of belonging is something many former cast members cite as a defining feature of the show—and it often plays a role in eventual returns. In Summer Bay, doors have a habit of reopening, especially for characters and actors who left a lasting impression.
Life After Summer Bay: New Chapters Unfold
Since her departure, Purvis has wasted no time carving out an exciting new path. She has taken bold steps into theatre, launching her first professional stage play through her own company, Nick Nac Productions. The move marked a significant creative milestone, allowing her to explore storytelling from an entirely new perspective.
Audiences can currently catch her on stage in Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, running at Melbourne’s Old Fitz Theatre from January 13 to February 1. The production has given Purvis the opportunity to showcase a different side of her craft—raw, intimate, and unfiltered by the constraints of television.
Looking further ahead, her screen career continues to expand. She is set to appear in the 2026 film Fear Is the Rider, starring alongside an impressive cast that includes Ben Mendelsohn, Toby Wallace, and Eliza Scanlen. The project signals her growing presence in film and hints at an increasingly international future.
Purvis has also revealed plans to spend time in Los Angeles, pursuing global opportunities and testing herself on a broader stage.
Why a Return Still Makes Sense
Despite her busy schedule and expanding horizons, Purvis’ openness to a Home and Away return speaks volumes. From a storytelling perspective, the show has ample room to welcome her back—whether through a shocking survival reveal, a long-lost twin, or even a poignant return in a different form.
Soap history is filled with characters once thought gone forever, only to re-emerge when the timing feels right. And Felicity Newman, with her fierce personality and unresolved connections, remains one of the most talked-about exits in recent years.
For fans, the idea of seeing Purvis back in Summer Bay is about more than nostalgia. It represents closure, possibility, and the enduring power of characters who refuse to fade quietly into the past.
The Door Remains Open
For now, Jacqui Purvis is focused on building the next chapter of her career—on stage, on screen, and potentially on an international scale. Yet her words continue to echo: never say never.
In a town like Summer Bay, where the past has a habit of resurfacing and the impossible often becomes reality, that door may be far from closed. Whether Felicity Newman’s story truly ended in 2024—or is merely waiting for its next twist—remains one of Home and Away’s most tantalizing unanswered questions.