Stephen Peacocke has nothing left to prove—yet as he prepares to step back into one of Australian television’s most iconic roles, the acclaimed actor admits

he’s feeling a familiar flutter of nerves. Nearly a decade after leaving Home and Away, Peacocke is returning to Summer Bay while simultaneously fronting one of

the country’s most successful dramas, RFDS. It’s a full-circle moment for an actor whose career has been defined not just by ambition, but by thoughtful choices,

emotional depth, and an enduring connection to Australian storytelling.

When Peacocke first burst onto screens in 2011 as Darryl “Brax” Braxton—the leather-clad leader of the River Boys—he didn’t just join Home and Away. He reshaped it. Brax was dangerous yet principled, volatile yet loyal, and instantly magnetic. Audiences responded in force, turning Peacocke into a household name almost overnight. Now, years later, the prospect of revisiting that legacy brings excitement—and pressure.

“Part of me is nervous,” Peacocke admits. “I want to make it good. That role was extraordinary for me, and I’ve always treasured it.”

A Career Built on Momentum—and Meaning

Since leaving Home and Away in 2016, Peacocke’s career has unfolded with rare consistency. After wrapping the long-running soap, he relocated to the United States with his wife, fellow actor Bridget Snedden. Hollywood came calling quickly. He landed roles in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot alongside Tina Fey, Hercules opposite Dwayne Johnson, and the romantic drama Me Before You, adapted from Jojo Moyes’ bestselling novel.

For many Australian actors, that would have been the launching point to a permanent Hollywood base. But Peacocke’s path took a different turn—one shaped by timing, family, and an unexpected run of good fortune back home.

“We based ourselves overseas after I finished Home and Away,” he recalls. “I went from job to job over there, we got the green card, and then we came back to Australia—and COVID hit.”

What followed was a remarkable streak. Peacocke secured roles in Five Bedrooms, The Newsreader, and most significantly, RFDS. Each project became a series success, anchoring him firmly in the Australian television landscape.

“I’ve had a very, very fortunate run over the past few years,” he says. “I don’t take for granted how lucky I am to work in this industry, in this country, and to have had opportunities overseas too.”

RFDS: A Defining Chapter

At the heart of that run is RFDS, the award-winning drama that has captivated audiences with its blend of outback grit, emotional realism, and high-stakes rescue missions. Peacocke stars as Pete Emerson, a flight nurse whose dry humour and quiet resilience reflect the realities of life in remote Australia.

For Peacocke, Pete is more than a role—he’s a mirror of the people he grew up around.

“It just gets better and better,” he says of the series. “There’s nothing on that show that we’ve done that hasn’t happened. The more outrageous you think it is, the more likely it’s actually happened.”

Season 3 pushes Pete further than ever before, both physically and emotionally. Among the most intense moments is a nail-biting emergency plane landing—a sequence so immersive that Peacocke jokingly claims he earned his pilot’s licence for the role.

“I’m that much of a method actor,” he laughs. “No, but I did put myself in Pete’s shoes and learn the bare basics a couple of weeks before we shot it. I knew it was going to be a ripper episode.”

The authenticity has paid off. RFDS took home the TV Week Silver Logie for Most Popular Drama last year, cementing Peacocke’s status not just as a leading man, but as a cornerstone of modern Australian television.

Returning to Summer Bay

Later this year, Peacocke will revisit the character that changed his life. He’s set to film special Home and Away episodes against the dramatic backdrop of outback Western Australia, with the storyline scheduled to air in 2026.

The episodes will reveal where life has taken Brax—and his beloved on-screen partner Ricky—more than a decade after they drove off into the sunset. When producers pitched the idea, Peacocke didn’t hesitate.

“They said, ‘Do you want to find out what they’re doing ten years down the track?’ And I absolutely did,” he says. “I love playing that character.”

Still, the weight of expectation is real. Brax isn’t just another role; he’s a cultural touchstone for fans who grew up watching him.

“Anytime you get a chance to play a character that resonates, you should treasure it,” Peacocke reflects. “I’ve always treasured Brax. I want to make it good for the audience.”

His return also reinforces a rare distinction: Peacocke is one of the few actors to have won three Logies for a Home and Away role—and to come back by choice, not necessity.

Choosing Home Over Hollywood

In an industry where Australian stars often chase longevity overseas, Peacocke has quietly redefined success. His Hollywood experiences expanded his horizons, but the roles waiting for him at home proved too compelling to ignore.

“Anytime you get a chance to work anywhere in the world, you take it,” he says. “I’d love to go back over there and work again. But there are some pretty tasty things coming up in Australia that I’d love to be part of.”

That loyalty has paid dividends—not just professionally, but personally.

Life Beyond the Spotlight

Away from the cameras, Peacocke is famously private. In 2022, he and Snedden welcomed their daughter, a life change that subtly reshaped his priorities.

“We always travel as a family, which is a bonus,” he says, speaking about balancing a demanding schedule with fatherhood.

While he insists parenthood hasn’t fundamentally changed his approach to acting, it has reinforced the value of staying grounded—and staying close to home.

What Comes Next?

Despite his success, Peacocke resists long-term career mapping.

“I’m not really a five-year-plan person,” he admits. “I probably should have a bucket list, but I’m always happily surprised.”

His philosophy is refreshingly simple: do good work, trust the process, and see what follows.

“I’ve found my best plan is to have no plan at all,” he says. “Just try to do a good job and hope it leads to something else. I’ve had some really good jobs—so I’ll stick with that.”

An Actor in His Element

Whether portraying a life-saving flight nurse or a reformed River Boy, Stephen Peacocke occupies a rare space in Australian television: equally convincing as a hero and an everyman.

“It’s nice to see a bloke like Pete written the way we normally are,” he says. “Bumbling, trying our best, stuffing it up most of the time.”

As RFDS continues to soar and Home and Away prepares to welcome him back, Peacocke’s journey feels less like a comeback—and more like a confirmation. In choosing to stay grounded, to tell stories that matter at home, he’s built a legacy that resonates far beyond any single role.

And for fans, the message is clear: whether in the sky or back in the bay, Stephen Peacocke is exactly where he belongs.