In a storyline that has sent shockwaves through Summer Bay, Home and Away viewers are now grappling with a dramatic twist: Cohen’s long-lost father may have arrived, threatening to upend the stability

the young boy has finally begun to find with Roo Stewart. The episodes airing this week have plunged fans into a whirlwind of emotion, with themes of family, loyalty, and unexpected reunions taking center stage.

From Emergency Placement to Adoption Talks

The story began in July, when Cohen (Nathan Murray) was taken in by Roo (Georgie Parker) as an emergency foster placement following the shocking arrest of his mother, Samantha (Heidi May). At the time, Cohen’s future was uncertain, as Samantha’s arrest left him without a guardian. When Samantha later relinquished all parental rights—and with no father listed on his birth certificate—Roo stepped in, determined to provide him with a loving home.

Initially, efforts were made to locate Cohen’s maternal family. Local sergeant David (Jeremy Lindsay Taylor) scoured records for any trace of Cohen’s grandmother, whom the boy vaguely remembered living in Canberra. Early searches were unsuccessful, leaving Cohen’s future in limbo. It wasn’t until Cash (Nicholas Cartwright) built a rapport with Cohen that further details emerged, leading them to Queanbeyan. Tragically, they discovered that Cohen’s grandmother had passed away just months prior.

With no known family members available, Roo was faced with the painful truth: Samantha had abandoned Cohen, and the boy was left without a parent. Hoping to provide him with stability, Roo approached the adoption process, cautiously discussing the possibility with Cohen. Initially conflicted, the young boy worried that accepting Roo’s care meant losing the memory of his mother. But after a fishing trip with Alf (Ray Meagher) and assurances that she would never replace his real mother, Cohen agreed he wanted to remain with the Stewarts permanently.

A Sudden Twist: Cohen’s Father Emerges

Just as Roo’s adoption plans seemed on track, she was stunned to learn that her application had been paused. Desperate for answers, she contacted David, only to receive shocking news: a potential father for Cohen had been located.

Next week’s episodes reveal that while reviewing Samantha’s criminal record, David discovered a man who had posted bail for her when she was pregnant with Cohen. Both he and social worker Harper (Jessica Redmayne) agreed that the individual could indeed be Cohen’s father, setting the stage for an emotional and potentially life-altering confrontation.

Roo’s response was immediate and fiery. Storming into the police station demanding answers, she was told to remain calm until the facts were confirmed. Meanwhile, Alf and Marilyn (Emily Symons) attempted to shield Cohen from the mounting tension, though the boy quickly sensed that something significant was unfolding.

DNA Tests and First Encounters

To determine the truth, Cohen was scheduled for a DNA test—a delicate procedure that Roo attempted to downplay, claiming it was merely a follow-up after his recent tonsillitis. But her protective instincts drove her to confront Cohen’s possible father directly.

Adrian Purcell (Tom Matthews), the man in question, finally arrives at the police station in Yabbie Creek, where he is met by David and Harper. Cooperating fully, Adrian reveals he has long suspected he might be Cohen’s father. He produces a photograph of Cohen as a newborn—a poignant reminder that he has carried the boy in his heart despite Samantha walking out when Cohen was only three months old, claiming he wasn’t the child’s father.

Roo arrives mid-discussion, determined to intervene, but David firmly instructs her that nothing can be resolved until the DNA results are confirmed. Though frustrated, Roo leaves the station resolute: she believes Cohen belongs with the Stewarts at Summer Bay House. Adrian later attends the hospital for the DNA test without protest, keen to settle the uncertainty.

An Unexpected Meeting on the Beach

Despite the precautions, fate intervenes. Adrian, having casually wandered into Summer Bay—an occurrence not uncommon in Yabbie Creek—spots Roo with a young boy near the beach. Misjudging the situation, he approaches and calls out to Cohen, introducing himself as someone who may be his father. The encounter leaves Cohen bewildered, forced to process the revelation of a potential paternal connection.

Roo reacts with immediate fury, calling on Cash for assistance. Cash intervenes, instructing Adrian to retreat. Though he complies, the encounter leaves an indelible impression on Cohen, shaking the foundation of the home he has begun to call his own.

Aftermath and Emotional Fallout

Back at the station, Adrian admits to David that his only intention was to show Cohen he has always cared. David, however, reprimands him for overstepping, emphasizing the importance of restraint while the DNA results are pending. Cash later escorts Adrian to his car, during which the man explains he once tried to fight for a place in Cohen’s life but was denied. Cash, showing a hint of empathy, advises patience, recognizing that Cohen has endured significant upheaval.

Meanwhile, Roo faces the challenge of explaining the situation to Cohen. The boy is curious and understandably anxious, seeking clarity about the stranger who may be his father. Roo carefully informs him that Adrian could indeed be his dad, but reassures him that he is safe and loved in the Stewart household. Cohen, showing remarkable maturity, expresses his desire to remain with Roo, underscoring the emotional bonds he has formed in Summer Bay.

Professional Concerns and Custody Questions

While Cohen’s heart is set, the adults around him face complex legal and social questions. Harper is incensed at the unfolding situation, worrying that Cohen’s hopes could be dashed if the DNA test proves negative. She stresses the need for careful handling, highlighting the delicate balance between truth and emotional well-being for the young boy.

Harper’s visit to Summer Bay House underscores the ongoing tension. Though Roo has been a devoted foster carer, she does not yet have full legal standing. Should Adrian pursue custody, the Stewarts may be challenged in their ability to retain Cohen, introducing a high-stakes layer to an already emotional narrative. Roo and Alf are left contemplating the potential for conflict, realizing that Cohen’s future could be far more uncertain than they initially imagined.

 

Questions for the Future

As the week closes, viewers are left with a cascade of dramatic questions:

• Will Cohen’s DNA confirm Adrian as his father?
• If confirmed, how will Cohen navigate this new paternal relationship while remaining with Roo?
• Could Adrian pursue custody, threatening the boy’s stability in Summer Bay?
• How will Cohen’s friends and extended Stewart family respond to the upheaval?

The storyline promises more twists, emotional confrontations, and moral dilemmas, as Home and Away delves into the complexities of family, identity, and belonging. Fans can expect powerful performances, tense dialogue, and heart-rending scenes that will resonate far beyond the initial reveal.

Cohen’s potential reunion with his father has ignited one of the most dramatic storylines of the year on Home and Away. From Roo’s fiercely protective instincts to Cohen’s bewildering first encounter with Adrian, the episodes explore themes of love, loyalty, and the sometimes-painful realities of family.

While the DNA results remain pending, the narrative has already reshaped Summer Bay, challenging the Stewarts’ sense of security and highlighting the fragile balance between biological ties and chosen family. With tensions running high, viewers are left eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Cohen’s journey—one that promises to test bonds, stir emotions, and redefine the meaning of family in the Bay.

Whether Adrian is confirmed as Cohen’s father or not, the ripple effects of this storyline will continue to unfold, offering rich drama and suspense that Home and Away fans have come to expect. Summer Bay may never be the same, and neither will the life of young Cohen.