Home And Away: Meet the actor behind Bella Nixon

Ryde actor Courtney Miller is almost nothing like her 16-year-old fiesty character on Home And Away. For one, she would never shoot someone with a crossbow.

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Courtney Miller was seven years old when she first stepped onto an acting stage at the Ryde Eisteddfod.

“To me it was huge,” she said.

She was hooked and acting soon became a passion.

Fifteen years later Miller has secured her first major role, joining the cast of Home And Away as 16-year-old Bella Nixon.

Actor Courtney Miller in Ryde Park. Picture: Julian Andrews

The rebellious and feisty tomboy could not be more different from Miller at that age, who could usually be found with friends at the Macquarie Centre cinemas.

“I’ve never gotten a detention in my life,” the 22-year-old said.

Bella burst onto television screens across the country in November and made a dramatic entrance, pointing a crossbow at her long-lost brother Colby Thorne’s head.

“It was really heavy,” Miller said.

The drama continues next week when Home And Away returns, and Bella could be in the fight for her life.

Courtney Miller’s first scenes as Bella involved picking up a crossbow.

Joining the hit show has been a dream come true for Miller, who had her first acting role as a Year 2 student when she landed the part of Darla from Little Rascals in the Ryde Eisteddfod.

“We practised for what felt like weeks,” she said.

Miller first joined Home And Away as an extra at age 15.

“It was very exciting, it was very nerve-racking,” she said.

The taste of life on set showed Miller where she wanted to be and she auditioned for the show three times before landing the part of Bella.

“This one clicked,” she said.

As well as acting, Miller has a psychology degree and is studying a postgraduate in rehabilitation counselling while also volunteering for Lifeline.

“I think I really enjoyed human behaviour, and why people do the things they do,” she said.

Home And Away returns for its 31st year on Monday, February 18 at 7pm on Seven.