When Stephen Peacocke first swaggered onto the sands of Summer Bay in 2011, audiences knew immediately they were witnessing the birth of a soap icon. As Darryl “Brax” Braxton, leader of the infamous River Boys,

Peacocke brought a dangerous charm and raw vulnerability that turned him into a household name almost overnight. Brax wasn’t just another bad boy—he was the heartbeat of Home and Away during his tenure,

a character whose magnetic presence shifted the dynamic of the show. Now, nearly a decade since leaving the beloved series behind, Peacocke is stepping back into the world that defined his career.

Older, wiser, and armed with a globe-spanning résumé, the Dubbo-born actor is ready to reintroduce fans to Brax—while continuing to shine in his critically acclaimed role on RFDS.

From Summer Bay to Hollywood and Back

For Peacocke, the decision to keep his roots firmly planted in Australia has always been a conscious one. Though he ventured to the U.S. following his Home and Away exit in 2016, his career flourished both abroad and at home.

“I’ve been lucky to have had 10 years of really good work,” the 43-year-old tells TV WEEK. “I don’t take for granted how fortunate I am to work in this industry, in this country—and to have worked overseas on some great things, too.”

After bidding farewell to Summer Bay, Peacocke and his wife, actor Bridgette Sneddon, relocated to the United States. Hollywood came calling quickly, with roles in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot alongside Tina Fey, Hercules with Dwayne Johnson, and the romantic drama Me Before You opposite Sam Claflin. For many, this international breakout would have been the ultimate prize. But for Peacocke, the lure of Australia—and the chance to tell authentic local stories—proved irresistible.

“We based ourselves overseas after I finished Home and Away. I’d gone from job to job, we got the green card, and then we came back to Australia just as COVID hit,” he recalls. “By some extraordinarily fortunate circumstances I got Five Bedrooms, RFDS, and The Newsreader—and they all turned into series. We’ve never gone back. I’ve had a very, very fortunate run.”

Anchoring RFDS: The Everyman Hero

For the past three years, Peacocke has anchored RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service), playing flight nurse Pete Emerson. The role is a perfect fit for the actor, drawing on the resilience, grit, and humor of the outback communities where he grew up.

“The writing just gets better and better,” Peacocke says of the award-winning 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 is to have happened.”

Pete’s storylines push him to the limit—both emotionally and physically. Season three promises to raise the stakes, including a harrowing emergency plane landing that Peacocke half-jokes he trained for like a method actor.

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

Pete is the quintessential Aussie everyman: resourceful, occasionally bumbling, but always pushing forward with heart and humor. For Peacocke, it’s a role that allows him to showcase the understated heroism that resonates deeply with viewers.

Returning to Brax: The Bad Boy Reborn

Later this year, Peacocke will revisit the role that made him a household name: Darryl “Brax” Braxton. Filming special Home and Away episodes in Western Australia, Peacocke will reunite with Bonnie Sveen, who plays Brax’s great love, Ricky. The story will catch up with the couple nearly a decade after their dramatic departure from Summer Bay.

“When the producers said, ‘Do you want to find out what they’re doing 10 years down the track?’ I absolutely did,” he admits. “I love playing that character.”

For Peacocke, returning to Brax carries a weight of responsibility. “Part of me is nervous. I want to make it good for the audience because that role was extraordinary for me. Anytime you get a chance to play a character that resonates, you should treasure it. And I’ve always treasured that role.”

Fans can expect explosive revelations and emotional payoffs as Brax and Ricky’s story is revisited. Will they have finally found peace—or will their past catch up with them once again?

Balancing Hollywood and Home

Unlike many Home and Away alumni who used the soap as a launchpad to Hollywood, Peacocke has forged a unique path. His time in the U.S. gave him invaluable experience, but it’s his projects back in Australia that have cemented his reputation as one of the country’s most versatile leading men.

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

That loyalty has paid off. RFDS won the Silver Logie for Most Popular Drama, while Peacocke’s Home and Away role earned him three Logies during his run. His return to Summer Bay ensures that his legacy with the show continues to grow, even as he expands his horizons.

Life Beyond the Spotlight

Away from the cameras, Peacocke is notoriously private. But one recent change has brought new joy into his life: fatherhood. In 2022, he and Bridgette welcomed their first daughter.

“We always travel as a family, which is a bonus,” he says, admitting that balancing acting with parenthood has been a rewarding challenge. While he insists fatherhood hasn’t changed his approach to acting, it’s clear that family life in Australia is a priority.

What’s Next for Stephen Peacocke?

When asked about his future, Peacocke resists the urge to plan too far ahead.

“I probably should have a bucket list of things I’d like to do, but I’m always happily surprised,” he says. “I’ve found my best plan is to have no plan at all—just to try and do a good job and hope it leads to something else. I’ve had some really good jobs, so I’ll stick to that. Whatever comes, comes.”

For now, fans can look forward to a double dose of Peacocke: the heart-stopping action of RFDS and the nostalgic thrill of Brax’s return to Home and Away.

In an era when so many Australian stars chase the bright lights of Hollywood, Stephen Peacocke has carved out something far more meaningful—authentic storytelling, loyalty to his roots, and a career that bridges both local and international success.

And for audiences, that means one thing: whether he’s saving lives in the skies or stirring up drama in Summer Bay, Stephen Peacocke is still at the top of his game.