For an entire generation of Australian television fans, Home and Away was more than just an afternoon drama — it was a cultural phenomenon.

And among the unforgettable faces who helped shape the golden era of Summer Bay was Matt Doran, the actor best remembered for portraying rebellious fan-favorite Damian Roberts.

Now, decades after leaving the fictional coastal town behind, Doran has sparked excitement among longtime viewers after revealing that he has never ruled out

a return to the iconic soap. In a candid and deeply nostalgic interview, the actor reflected on fame, fatherhood, Hollywood blockbusters, and the surprising legacy of a career that has quietly stretched far beyond Australian television.

While many still associate him with his early years on Home and Away, Doran’s career has taken him into two of the most influential film franchises in modern cinema — The Matrix and Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Yet despite working alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names, it is Summer Bay that continues to hold a special place in his heart.

Speaking ahead of an upcoming fan convention appearance, Doran admitted that reconnecting with audiences has been both surreal and emotional. For years, he struggled to understand the passion fans still carried for characters he portrayed decades ago. But over time, he began to embrace it.

The actor explained that every convention encounter reminds him how fortunate he has been to participate in projects that became part of pop-culture history. What once felt like fleeting roles have evolved into enduring fan obsessions, especially among science-fiction audiences who continue celebrating his performances years later.

One of the biggest surprises for Doran has been the overwhelming response to his brief but unforgettable role in Star Wars. Although he appeared onscreen for only a short moment as sleazy dealer Elan Sleazebaggano — the infamous “death sticks guy” confronted by Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi — the scene became legendary among fans.

Doran laughed as he recalled how viewers still approach him asking about the iconic exchange. What was originally just a few lines in a massive blockbuster unexpectedly transformed into one of the franchise’s most quoted comedic moments. According to Doran, the dialogue itself was written by George Lucas, making the experience even more surreal.

Even now, years after the film’s release, fans continue asking him to autograph cigarette packets in tribute to the unforgettable “death sticks” scene. Doran admitted he never imagined such a tiny appearance would leave such a massive impression on audiences worldwide.

The actor also revealed that he still owns collectible figurines based on his Star Wars character — treasured keepsakes that remain carefully stored away. While some family members eagerly opened theirs, Doran confessed he held onto a few unopened figures because they carry sentimental value tied to an extraordinary chapter of his career.

Yet if Star Wars introduced him to a new generation of fans, it was The Matrix that cemented his cult status among science-fiction lovers. Doran portrayed Mouse, the wisecracking crew member whose dramatic death sequence remains one of the film’s most memorable moments.

Reflecting on the experience, Doran described the production of The Matrix as vastly different from his one-day Star Wars shoot. Filming stretched across months, allowing the cast and crew to form close bonds while working on what would ultimately become a cinematic revolution.

He recalled reading the screenplay for the first time and immediately sensing the film would become something special. Unlike many productions where the final result differs dramatically from the script, Doran said The Matrix exceeded expectations by perfectly capturing the tone and imagination originally written on the page.

Despite his success in Hollywood franchises, Doran never fully abandoned acting. Today, he balances auditions and independent projects with the demands of family life in Sydney, where he lives with his children. Fatherhood, he explained, has changed his priorities completely.

The actor described parenting as the most meaningful role he has ever taken on — a responsibility far more important than celebrity or fame. While he still loves performing, his children now occupy the center of his world.

Recently, Doran starred in the psychological thriller Intersection, an intimate low-budget project filmed just before the pandemic. The film required him to carry nearly every scene alone, an acting challenge he embraced enthusiastically despite the smaller scale of the production.

Still, no matter how many new projects emerge, questions about Home and Away continue following him everywhere.

And now, fans have renewed hope after Doran hinted that Damian Roberts could someday return to Summer Bay.

The actor joked about recurring dreams in which he suddenly finds himself back on the Home and Away set unable to remember his lines. But beneath the humor was a clear sense of affection for the series that launched his career.

Doran also revealed he remains in contact with former co-star Tina Thomsen, who played Damian’s sister Finlay. Their continued friendship has fueled speculation that a reunion special involving classic cast members could eventually happen.

Inspired by the successful revival events surrounding other Australian soaps, Doran suggested audiences would likely embrace seeing beloved characters return to Summer Bay years later. He even playfully imagined a future storyline in which Damian abandons the priesthood and re-enters the chaotic world of the Bay.

For longtime fans, the possibility alone is enough to ignite excitement.

After years away from Australian soap screens, Matt Doran remains one of the industry’s most fascinating success stories — an actor who quietly moved from Summer Bay to science-fiction immortality while maintaining the grounded charm that made audiences love him in the first place.

And while Hollywood may have expanded his career far beyond the shores of Summer Bay, it seems the emotional connection between Doran and Home and Away has never truly faded.

Now, with nostalgia for classic Australian television stronger than ever, many fans are left wondering whether Damian Roberts’ story might finally be ready for one more chapter.