Maddison Brown quits LA to make Home and Away debut

After more than a decade living and working in the US, Aussie actress Maddison Brown is officially back on home soil – and already making waves.

After more than a decade living and working in the US, Aussie actress and model Maddison Brown is officially back on home soil – and already making waves.

The 28-year-old, best known for playing Kirby Anders on the reboot of Dynasty, quietly packed up her West Hollywood life in October last year.

Now, she’s gearing up for her Home and Away debut.

The star sat down with Stellar for an exclusive interview to reveal she will be back on Aussie screens early next month as new Summer Bay arrival, Jo.

“I lived in the US for 11 years, then the [writers’] strike happened and it felt like there was so much instability,” Brown said.

Maddison Brown has quit the US and will soon join the cast of popular Aussie soap Home and Away. Picture: Tennis Australia/ Fiona Hamilton

Brown is also preparing to tie the know with New Zealand actor Simon Mead. Picture: Tennis Australia/ Fiona Hamilton

“At the same time, my business took off and it felt like I needed to be [in Australia]. It felt like the right time to hit pause, and take a breather [from LA].”

Brown founded and runs Outside Beauty & Skincare, a sunscreen-focused brand she launched in 2023 with her sister Allyson Popovic. Their SPF 50+ Face Crème quickly became a viral hit, with over 10,000 people on the waitlist.

Despite her success in business, Brown said acting is still firmly on the agenda.

“Right after I came back, [the role on] Home And Away came up,” she said

“It was everything I’d ever wanted – to be in Sydney and be with my family.”

READ THE FULL STELLAR INTERVIEW HERE

Although she can’t share much about her character, the star teased that Jo has family in the Bay and a complicated backstory.

“I’m having a really, really good time playing her – shooting in Palm Beach is a pinch-me moment every time I’m on set,” she said.

Brown will join the popular Seven soapie Home and Away, playing the character of ‘Jo”.

Brown also founded and runs Outside Beauty & Skincare, a sunscreen-focused brand she launched in 2023 with her sister Allyson Popovic. Picture: Supplied

“I’m an Aussie girl. I was in Atlanta for over four years [shooting Dynasty] and there’s no beach. I was very homesick at that time in my life.”

Alongside her TV and business careers, the former LA actor is also preparing for her next big role: bride. She’s engaged to New Zealand actor Simon Mead, however is in no rush to make it a public spectacle.

“I’m very low-key about my private and personal life. I’ve always been that way,” she tells Stellar.

“I don’t think people really speculate because I haven’t given people anything to speculate about. I feel like people don’t really pry. I’ve never put it on the table to be discussed.”

With more than 770,000 Instagram followers and a new prime-time TV role, Brown knows attention will grow but isn’t in a rush to chase after it.

“When I was on Dynasty, I got into a bad habit sometimes of reading good, bad and ugly things. I don’t think I’ll do that now – I’ll just live my life … I don’t think I’m famous enough to have haters.”

Maddison Brown will join Home And Away in early June on the Seven Network.

Originally published as Maddison Brown quits LA to make Home and Away debut