Casey Braxton

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Casey Braxton
Home and Away character
Portrayed by Lincoln Younes
Duration 2011–
First appearance 17 February 2011
Introduced by Cameron Welsh
Classification Present, regular
Profile
Occupation Student at Summer Bay High
Pizza delivery boy
Home 6 James Street

Casey Braxton, is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Lincoln Younes. Casey made his first on-screen appearance on 17 February 2011. Younes was about to go travelling when he auditioned for the role of Casey. He changed his plans upon winning the role. In late 2010 the Seven Network began airing trailers for a new trio of characters known as "The River Boys". The trio consist of Casey and his older brothers Darryl (Steve Peacocke) and Heath Braxton (Dan Ewing). The River Boys arrive in Summer Bay from neighbouring town Mangrove River. Casey is characterised as being a "modern day Rebel Without a Cause"; who is intelligent and unsure about what he wants out of life. Younes has described him as the "epitome of teenage angst". The River Boys cause trouble in Summer Bay and producers were inspired by Koby Abberton's Bra Boys in the creation process. Casey is portrayed as wanting to distance himself from their bad reputation; but his anger issues often mar his attempts.

Casey is the first of the Braxton brothers to build friendships with established characters. He also begins a relationship with Ruby Buckton (Rebecca Breeds). Younes was later required for filming of the television series Tangle; producers then devised an exit storyline to accommodate his temporary departure. The storyline consists of Casey succumbing to the bad reputation of the River Boys when he commits an arson attack against an adversary of the Braxton's. Casey was sentenced to time in juvenile detention and was given early release upon his return to the series. Casey and the rest of the River Boys have been well received by viewers. Critics also welcomed their inclusion in the series. Series producer Lucy Addario said that the response from fans had been "utterly overwhelming". However, Bree Hoskin of Gaydar Radio felt that Casey has been overshadowed by his brothers and a poll ran by Inside Soap indicated that Casey was not as popular as Darryl.

Creation and casting

In 2010, Network Seven began running teaser trailers for a new trio of characters known as The River Boys.[1] Said to be a "bad-boy surf gang with dodgy reputations", The River Boys consist of three brothers – Darryl, Casey and Heath.[1] Kristy Kelly of Digital Spy reported Koby Abberton's Bra Boys were the inspiration for The River Boys.[2] The Braxton brothers made their on screen debuts in February 2011.[3]

Younes had been starring in the television series Tangle; after which he felt depressed and received no auditions. He then planned to leave Australia, when the offer of five auditions came through, one of which was for Home and Away.[3] After a successful audition for the serial, he decided to cancel his plans to play the part of Casey.[4] Younes told the Bendigo Weekly that he was standing outside the travel agent when he received the call and he spent three days thinking about whether to accept the role.[4] He has moved to Sydney to work on Home and Away.[5] In comparison to his role on Tangle, Younes felt Home and Away offered a longer period of time to unravel a character.[3]

Character development

Characterisation

Steve Peacocke and Dan Ewing (pictured left to right) play Brax and Heath, who create a bad reputation for the Braxtons.
“ Baby-faced Braxton brother Casey has grown up as something of an outsider: at home he's overshadowed by his older brothers, surfing legend Brax and bad boy Heath; at school he's floundered academically and socially, at best facing trouble with the teachers and, at worst, expulsion from Reefton Lakes High. Dig a little deeper, though, and Casey is an intelligent teen who, although uncertain about what he does want from life, is in no doubt about what he doesn't. ”

—Channel 5 on Casey.[6]

Casey is the youngest of the Braxton brothers. The Daily Telegraph said that Casey is trying to break out of the River Boys mould and that he was kicked out of his last high school.[1] Casey is described as being a "modern day Rebel Without a Cause."[7] He has never quite fitted in and he does not know what he wants from life. He has been overshadowed by both of his brothers and he has struggled at school.[7] He was expelled from Reefton Lakes High for disruptive behaviour.[7] However, Casey is intelligent and has resisted becoming a typical River Boy, instead he is a loner.[7] Channel Seven said "When Casey eventually makes friends at Summer Bay High his true personality shines through, revealing a courageous, sensitive, mischievous guy, with a sly, laconic wit. However, acceptance at Summer Bay can be seen as betrayal in Mangrove River, putting Casey in conflict with some of his brother's River Boy mates."[7] Casey's mother leaves him to his own devices and he misinterprets that as disapproval from her.[7] Holy Soap questioned whether a new life Summer Bay could be Casey's chance to turn his life around.[8]

Younes told Melinda Houston of The Age that Casey has come from the "wrong side of the tracks". Casey wants to "establish himself on the straight and narrow", while his brothers show little interest in following his example.[3] Casey finds it hard to shake off the Braxtons' bad reputation and distance himself from his brothers.[9] Although; Younes has opined that Casey does try to "break out of the mould set by his older brothers".[10] Casey is a mixed up young man; Younes said that portraying Casey's confusion "screwed" with his head because he had previously been in a similar situation.[3] Casey was the first of the Braxton brothers to befriend some of the locals of Summer Bay. He forges friendships with Ruby Buckton (Rebecca Breeds), Xavier Austin (David Jones-Roberts) and Dexter Walker (Charles Cottier). Casey is also the first to display "softer emotions"; which often surface when he shares scenes with Ruby, who becomes Casey's love interest.[11] Younes told a reporter from Channel 5 that Casey is not a "bad boy" role. Younes was attracted to the part of Casey because he is a "a product of his two older brothers and their clashing personalities".[11] He has both sensitive and volatile sides to his persona. Younes explained that as the "epitome of teenage angst", Casey does not have any idea of who he is. He does not know how to act around others and can be impressionable. Casey also has deep rooted issues with his anger; Younes said that he empathised with the way Casey feels due to his previous experiences.[11]

Relationship with Ruby Buckton

In January 2011, Breeds told Debbie Schipp of the that The Advertiser that the River Boys added a new dynamic to the series. She revealed that Ruby would soon end up in a "love-hate relationship" with Casey.[12] In February 2011, Younes told Alicia McCumstie of the Central Coast Express Advocate that Casey would get "more action" on the female front.[9] It was also announced that Casey was to have a fling with Ruby, after her romance with Romeo Smith (Luke Mitchell) ends.[13] When Ruby realises that Romeo is back with his girlfriend, she sleeps with Casey. He then takes "great pleasure" in revealing the details about Ruby's relationship with Romeo.[13] When the pair begin a relationship, Ruby's mother Charlie Buckton (Esther Anderson) does not approve. Anderson told TV Week that Charlie thinks Ruby is getting into a new relationship "too quickly". Brax offers Charlie parenting advice about Ruby's relationships; Anderson said that Charlie listens to the advice yet refuses to admit that Brax is correct.[14]

Arson and departure

Lincoln Younes (pictured) left Home and Away temporarily to film for the television series Tangle.

In August 2011, it was announced that Younes would temporarily leave Home and Away; while he returned to film his part in the television series Tangle.[15] Ewing revealed that the serial had developed a storyline to compensate Younes' departure.[16] His exit storyline begins after the Braxton's feud with the Pivoric family heightens. Casey goes to Jake Pirovic's (Fletcher Humphrys) headquarters and sets fire to the building. Younes told TV Week that Casey commits arson to stop tension between the two gangs, but just makes the situation worse.[17] Casey realises the ramifications of his actions and acknowledges that he did not want to turn out like his siblings. Younes said that Casey's "whole demeanour and mood changed because he knows what he's done". Casey "established himself as a River Boy" through his act, Younes opined that it "goes against everything he's been fighting for, as he's always tried not to be a River Boy."[17]

As a consequence, Casey's relationship with Ruby is tested. Ruby betrays her sister and informs Casey that the police know that he committed the crime. Younes said that it "stretched their relationship quite a bit" because he places a lot of responsibility on Ruby; who has to keep his secret. Casey acts "unfairly" because he does not know what to do about the situation either. Heath tries to convince him to run from the law.[17] Younes told Inside Soap that "Brax is afraid for Casey" because he knows the police will use the long arm of the law when they catch him. Brax makes Casey realise that he should hand himself over to the police.[18] Younes observed Casey to be the most "emotional and volatile" of the Braxton brothers, adding that Casey "breaking down" is a rarity. So when Casey breaks down in front of Brax, it becomes clear that Casey is remorseful for his actions. Brax realises that Casey is "in too deep" and feels "scared" for his future. When Casey hands himself in to the police it changes his attitude. He remains afraid but loses his emotions and feelings near to the point of becoming stoical.[17] Casey then pushes Ruby away; Younes explained that Casey thinks he is doing it for her own good because he does not want to "drag her down with him". Ruby does not understand Casey's actions, but he realises it will add to the "strain" on her when he is sent to jail.[17]

Casey is sentenced to thirty days in juvenile detention.[19] Peacocke told TV Week that "Brax is disappointed that it's got to this because, he has always wanted to keep Casey out of trouble." He said that Casey is not like Brax or Heath and because juvenile detention is "dangerous" he would not cope as well as they would.[20] Younes confirmed that Casey's time in jail would not go well and viewers would see a "darker more wary Casey" upon his return.[17] Ewing also said the storyline would "harden Casey up" and not return as the "same teenager" that departs.[16]

Storylines

Casey is introduced in Summer Bay with his brothers as the Braxton clan, as their gang, the River Boys, are extending their turf beyond Mangrove River. A friendship ignites between Romeo Smith (Luke Mitchell) and Casey, who becomes concerned about Casey's attitude situation. When Romeo goes to Casey's house, as he needs assistance with his school work, he realises that Casey has a bad home life. His mother Cheryl Braxton (Suzi Dougherty) shows miniature interest in him and his older brothers Heath and Brax continuously puts him down. Casey has a one-night-stand with Ruby Buckton (Rebecca Breeds), who is attempting to move on from ex Romeo. Casey furiously attacks Romeo when he discovers that he treated her poorly. Casey and Ruby's attraction leads to a romantic relationship, but their future is put into question when they have to overcome disapproval from Ruby's police sergeant mother, Charlie, who cannot accept the fact he is a River Boy.

Casey gets a job at Angelo's delivering pizza. He and Ruby organise a party at the home of one his customers. Heath and the other River Boys gate crash the party, causing the police to break it up. Casey struggles with his school work and Miles Copeland (Josh Quong Tart) suspects that he may be dyslexic. Cheryl is angry at the school's recommendation that he gets tested. Miles decides to mentor Casey to help him through the HSC. Casey feels pressured by Cheryl to leave school, especially when she gets him a job at the fishery. Casey quits school, angering Brax, who feels Casey is throwing his bright future away. Brax endeavours to persuade Casey to return to school. When he does, Cheryl throws him out of the house and Brax hires a motel room for him to live in. Brax realises that the set-up is not practical, so he convinces Roo Stewart (Georgie Parker) to let him live at her flat with Romeo and Indigo Walker (Samara Weaving).

Casey lets Tegan Callahan (Saskia Burmeister) hide money belonging to Jake Pirovic at his place. Jake kidnaps Casey and Ruby and when Brax turns up to rescue them, he is stabbed. Jake is arrested and sent to jail and his brother Hammer (Benedict Samuel) sets out to gain revenge on the Braxtons. Casey brings a knife into school in order to protect himself, just in case, he is attacked and Miles sees it. Gina Austin (Sonia Todd) then excludes Casey. She later gives him a second chance so he can concentrate on the HSC. Shortly after, Casey dumps Ruby when he becomes annoyed at her constantly nagging him about the HSC. Casey is frustrated at being unable to help his older brothers in the fight with Hammer's gang. Casey decides against attending Tegan's funeral and he goes to Jake's place and sets it on fire. As everyone is at Tegan's funeral, no one is injured and the fire is put out. Brax learns Casey started the fire and while angry, he helps him cover his tracks. Georgina Watson (Jaclyn Albergoni) suspects Casey is behind the arson attack and questions him over the incident. The police later find CCTV evidence placing him in the area minutes before and after the fire. Heath tries to convince Casey to run away, but he hands himself in. Casey continues to push Ruby away to protect her. When he assumes she is flirting with Xavier Austin (David Jones-Roberts), they resume dating and she agrees to wait for him. On the day of Casey's court case, Magistrate Hanson (Rhett Walton) decides to make an example of Casey and sends him to jail for thirty days. Casey is later given early release and surprises Ruby by accompanying him to the school formal. He then comforts Ruby and Brax after Charlie is murdered by Jake.

Heath's ex-girlfriend, Henrietta Brown (Emma Leonard), begins teaching at the high school and she becomes Casey's tutor. Casey develops a crush on her and they later share a kiss. Casey and Henri begin a secret relationship, but when Heath finds out, he publicly outs the affair to Gina. Henri ends the relationship and leaves the Bay. Sasha Bezmel (Demi Harman) supports Casey when he is bullied by a teacher and she later confesses her feelings for him, but Casey reveals he does not feel the same way. Casey meets his father, Danny (Andy McPhee), and decides to forge a relationship with him. However, he later admits to Brax that he is spending time with Danny, so he can stop him from targeting Ruby and her money. Danny involved Casey in his plan to rob a local pub. When Danny tells Casey to shoot the owner, he decides to shoot Danny instead and he dies. Casey struggles to cope with what he has done and he later goes out to the forest with Sasha, where he has sex with her. He later dismisses their night together, upsetting Sasha. Casey is kidnapped by his half-brother, Kyle Braxton (Nic Westaway) and taken to the desert. Tamara Kingsley (Kelly Paterniti) finds Casey and gives him water. Kyle soon returns and forces both of them into his truck. Casey distracts Kyle long enough for Tamara to escape. She blows up Kyle's car, which alerts Brax to Casey's location. He and Natalie Davison (Catherine Mack) rescue Casey and take him home. Tamara turns up in the Bay for Casey's court case. Casey develops feelings for her and they begin dating. Casey is wrongfully arrested for a robbery that he did not commit. Ricky Sharpe (Bonnie Sveen) later confesses to framing Casey on the orders of her brother, Adam (Martin Lynes). Casey refuses to forgive Ricky which causes a strain in his relationship with Brax. After Tamara is kidnapped, the trauma causes her to lose her memories of her time in the Bay. Casey tries to get her to remember him and he is devastated when she begins a relationship with Kyle. Having a difficult time coping with losing Tamara, Casey becomes an alcoholic and isolates himself from his friends and family. After a night of partying with Maddy Osborne, Casey suffers from alcohol poisoning and is rushed to the hospital. Just when things are getting back on track for Casey, him and Maddy are run off the road by Josh Barrett and Andy Barrett and he suffers a spinal injury. Casey is told that he may never walk again. He begins physical therapy to help his legs work again and with the help of Dex and Tamara, he takes his first step.

Reception

A columnist for the Sunday Mail said that Casey was the "baby of the family" and wondered whether he was "bad to the core or just misunderstood".[21] In March 2011, Inside Soap asked their readers to decide which of the Braxton brothers they liked the most. Brax was deemed the most liked, while Casey and Heath both received twenty-eight percent of the vote each.[22] Bree Hoskin of Gaydar Radio said that Casey is overshadowed by his brothers and struggles to fit in. She added that there is "definitely a soft centre underneath Casey’s hard, buff exterior".[23]

The River Boys have proved popular with viewers. Claire Crick of All About Soap said the publications staff were content with the River Boy's arriving in Summer Bay. They added that the only thing they like more than "a new bad boy" is "three arriving at the same time and especially when they are this hot."[24] In the Inside Soap Yearbook 2012, the arrival of the River Boys was included in their "best bits" of March 2011. Their reporter noted that while residents of Summer Bay were not happy about them moving to the area - viewers were "aquiver" at the prospect.[25] Overseas broadcaster Channel 5 aired a special series titled "Top 20 Aussie Soap Moments of 2011".[26] The programme's content was generated via public to determine the best moments in Australian soaps in 2011. The River Boy's arrival in the series was voted the fourth best moment of that year.[27] With their fictional counterparts rise in popularity, came false Facebook accounts were made in the actor names. Fans also bombarded their real accounts on the social networking site with friend requests.[28] While interviewed by Jason Herbison of Inside Soap, series producer Lucy Addario said that the response from fans, concerning the River Boys had been "utterly overwhelming". She added that their inclusion meant the series could "explore many different storylines and play out lots of great plots."[29]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Schipp, Debbie (9 January 2011). "Bay surf gang making waves". The Daily Telegraph (News Limited). Retrieved 30 December 2011. 
  2. ↑ Kelly, Kristy (25 February 2011). "'Real River Boy' discusses 'H&A' gang". Digital Spy (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 30 December 2011. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Houston, Melinda (23 January 2011). "Teenage dream". The Age. (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 3 February 2012. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cameron, Ben. "Lincoln's on a role". Bendigo Weekly (Bendigo Publishing Pty Ltd). Retrieved 15 March 2011. 
  5. ↑ Houston, Melinda (17 February 2011). "Bendigo's Lincoln Younes rolls into Summer Bay". Bendigo Advertiser (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 15 March 2011. 
  6. ↑ "Casey Braxton". Channel 5. (Northern & Shell). Retrieved 11 January 2012. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 "Casey Braxton". Home and Away. Yahoo!7. Retrieved 15 March 2011. 
  8. ↑ "More about the River Boys". Holy Soap. Channel 5. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 McCumstie, Alicia (23 February 2011). "Home and Away teenager all set to get hearts racing". Central Coast Express Advocate. (News Community Media). Retrieved 3 February 2012. 
  10. ↑ "Lincoln Younes (as Casey Braxton)". TV3. (MediaWorks New Zealand). Retrieved 3 February 2012. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Lincoln: Casey is no bad boy". Channel 5. (Northern & Shell). 28 March 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2012. 
  12. ↑ Schipp, Debbie (23 January 2011). "New faces in a breed of their own". The Advertiser. (News Limited). Retrieved 3 February 2012. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Rainey, Naomi (19 February 2011). "Ruby, Casey to hook up on 'Home and Away'?". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 15 March 2011. 
  14. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (23 March 2011). "'H&A' star: 'Charlie struggles with Ruby'". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 24 March 2011. 
  15. ↑ "Deadly storm to hit Summer Bay". MSN. (Microsoft). 9 August 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2012. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Kikelly, Daniel (8 August 2011). "'Home and Away' Casey to "toughen up" in new plot". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 10 January 2012. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 Miller, Erin (24–30 September 2011). "Paying the price". TV Week (ACP Magazines) (39): 6, 7. 
  18. ↑ "Casey arrested!". Inside Soap (Hearst Magazines UK) (45): 28. 12–18 November 2011. 
  19. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (19 November 2011). "5401: Casey hears his fate in court". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 11 January 2012. 
  20. ↑ Miller, Erin (8–14 October 2011). "Bitter and broken-hearted". TV Week (ACP Magazines) (41): 6–7. 
  21. ↑ "Miss it and miss out". Sunday Mail. (News Limited). 13 February 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2012. 
  22. ↑ Ellis, Sarah (26 March - 1 April 2011). "Your verdict". Inside Soap (Hachette Filipacchi UK) (12): 97. 
  23. ↑ Hoskin, Bree (23 March 2011). "TW: Braxton Brothers". Gaydar Radio. (QSoft Consulting). Retrieved 3 February 2012. 
  24. ↑ Crick, Claire (5–18 March 2011). "The River Boys cause a stir!". All About Soap (Hachette Filipacchi UK) (9): 24. 
  25. ↑ "Here come the boys!". Inside Soap Yearbook 2012 (Hearst Magazines UK) (6): 26. 1 November 2011. 
  26. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (21 November 2011). "'Neighbours', 'Home and Away' specials to air on Channel 5". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 4 February 2012. 
  27. ↑ "Episode 5". Top 20 Aussie Soap Moments of 2011. Series 1. 23 December 2011. Channel 5. http://www.channel5.com/shows/top-20-aussie-soap-moments-of-2011/episodes/episode-5-311.
  28. ↑ Swanwick, Tristan; Cooper, Nathanael (12 March 2011). "Reality floats up river for crazy fans". The Courier-Mail. (News Limited). Retrieved 4 February 2012. 
  29. ↑ Herbison, Jason (4–10 February 2010). "Secrets of Summer Bay". Inside Soap (Hearst Magazines UK) (5): 44–45. 

External links

Home and Away characters
 
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