Ethan Browne at home marking Home And Away milestone in Maori
Kiwi actor Ethan Browne brings Maori culture to Summer Bay for a very special wedding that marks the soap’s 8000th episode. See other milestones.
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As Home And Away gears up for its 8000th episode to air, star Ethan Browne admits he was just a little out of the loop.
“You know, I didn’t even realise until I was asked in another interview,” he laughs.
“I should have known because the episode number is written on the front of the script. But I just don’t really take notice it seems – you just go ‘oh yeah, this is my script’.
“I’ll pay more attention next time.”
Unlike its one-time soap rival Neighbours (which notched up 8903 episodes before it was axed last year), the Aussie institution has traditionally kept its celebrations low-key.
Instead, it’s business as usual as the massive production machine focuses continues to churn out two-and-a-half hours of television a week.
Ironically Brown is very much at the centre of the milestone episode as his on-screen ego
Tane Parata finally marries Felicity Newman (Jacqui Purvis), after their first attempt went horribly awry.
Browne was introduced to Summer Bay in 2020, and the Kiwi actor and his on screen Maori whanau were the first regular indigenous family to appear on the soap, something that the 31-year-old hasn’t taken lightly.
Browne certainly feels the pressure to portray his homeland’s customs accurately, fortunately there’s no “real traditional way” to do a Maori wedding.
But, as always, he worked closely with scriptwriters to include some very personal touches from his culture.
When Flick arrives at the secluded bushland spot, she finds a traditional Maori wedding awaiting her, complete with poi dancers, and a kaikaranga – a woman who makes the ceremonial call to welcome the guests.
Tane wears a traditional korowai cloak, which is then wrapped around Flick to symbolise his protection of her. And Flick provides her own surprise which had been planned for the original ill-fated ceremony – reciting her vows in te reo Maori.
“Jacqui had the real challenge – she had to learn all the Maori dialogue,” Browne says.
“She was amazing. It was just beautiful to watch and she put a lot of work into it – you really had to get it right. She really took care of it and my hat goes off to her.”
Browne himself struggles to get the complicated grammar correct.
“I’m not fluent but I can follow a conversation,” he shares.
“It’s obviously very different to English. The structure of the sentences is almost backwards. “I’ve never really been taught, but one day I will learn properly.”
Ethan hopes that with the ongoing portrayal of his Maori family on Home And Away, more diverse stories will continue to be told on screen.
“I really enjoyed being a part of that and I hope that any Maori or Maori that’s grown up in Australia can relate or get something from it,” he says.
“I’m sure they appreciate it and, I mean, even if you’re non-Maori too.
“I get a lot of the comments that people are just in awe of the culture and they really appreciate seeing it.”
With his former co-stars – and fellow fan favourites – Sophie Dillman and Patrick O’Connor farewelling the Bay in recent weeks, viewers have been hoping Browne won’t follow suit.
He has previously joked he will be on the show for life, but says he is keen to explore other opportunities.
“I mean, look I’d love to try my best and try the Hollywood thing,” Browne shares.
“It’s a lovely lifestyle in the Bay and I really enjoy so I can’t really complain.
“But I'm not sure I want to get stuck in one place in one role, so we’ll see what happens.”
Home And Away, Monday-Thursday, 7pm, Seven
MEMORABLE MILESTONES
While traditionally, Home and Away doesn’t tend to make a big deal of its milestone episodes.
it has been home to some of the nation’s biggest milestones and feel-good moments.
Here’s eight of the most memorable:
Episode 1 (1998)
The Fletchers, a foster family from the city move to Summer Bay after buying the Caravan Park from Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher). Kind-hearted parents Tom (Roger Oakley) and Pippa (Vanessa Downing) opened their doors to local tearaway Bobby (Nicolle Dickson), growing their clan from five to six.
Episode 1958 (1996)
Pippa Ross (Debra Lawrence) is awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to foster care, and celebrates with her current children, including Sally (Kate Ritchie), Shannon (Isla Fisher) and Sam (Ryan Clarke).
Episode 3284 (2002)
Summer Bay celebrated its 150th anniversary, with faces old and new coming together and kicking up their heels in honour of their favourite town. However, celebrations turn to a rescue mission when a violent storm capsizes the ferry cruise with dozens of fan favourites on-board.
Episode 3538 (2003)
After the bumpiest roads to love (including an OCD diagnosis and a sister suffering addiction), Summer Bay’s sweetheart Sally was ready to marry the love of her life Flynn (Joel McIlroy). The only thing in her way was getting to the wedding. After being forced to jump from their wild horse-driven carriage, Sally and bridesmaid Leah (Ada Nicodemou) were left to walk through mud to the alter, only when she arrived the heavens opened on the wedding party. Flynn and Sally eventually ended up getting married in the hospital corridor.
Episode 4000 (2005)
Many faces from Summer Bay’s past descend on the town for Alf Stewart’s 60th birthday. After speeches from Alf’s loved ones, fans were treated to a special montage of moments from the show’s history. However, the event ended in tragedy when a car accident led to the death of Chloe Richards (Kristy Wright).
Episode 4562 (2008)
Foster child Sally believed she’d grown up with an imaginary friend, but when a homeless man wondered through town claiming to be her sibling, Sally had flashbacks and discovered that he was in fact her twin brother Milco – Miles Copeland (Josh Quong Tart).
Episode 6202 (2015)
Australia’s favourite River Boy Brax (Steve Peacocke) met his son for the first time in prison. And Ricky (Bonnie Sveen) and Brax decide to name their baby Casey, after Brax’s recently killed brother (Lincoln Younes).
Episode 7280 (2020)
Summer Bay stalwart Alf remarries his long-time love and first wife Martha (Belinda Giblin) in a beautiful ceremony that brings the community a glimmer of hope.
Episode 8000, Monday, 7pm, Seven
Originally published as Ethan Browne at home marking Home And Away milestone in Maori
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