Recent from talks
Ben Astoni
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
Ben Astoni
Ben Astoni is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Home and Away, played by Rohan Nichol. The actor felt the offer of the role was good timing, as he was approaching his 40th birthday and feeling unconnected to anything. He previously appeared in the serial as Stafford McRae in 2004. Nichol relocated from Melbourne to Sydney to accommodate his filming commitments, and he began filming alongside his on-screen family in early 2017. Nichol expressed an interest in staying with the show for a long time. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 20 June 2017. Ben is introduced along with his wife Maggie Astoni (Kestie Morassi) and two daughters Ziggy Astoni (Sophie Dillman) and Coco Astoni (Anna Cocquerel), making them the first nuclear family to be introduced to Home and Away in 17 years.
Ben is portrayed as a laidback, loyal, hotheaded family man. He is a carpenter and former professional surfer. Nichol thought Ben was the type of man he shares a beer with, and he felt he could relate to his "daggy" side. The Astoni family relocate to the town of Summer Bay for a fresh start, which Nichol could identify with following his own move. The introduction of the family was a return to parent-child storylines that had not been featured in recent years. The Astoni's closeness and loyalty have been tested numerous times, with issues ranging from Coco's eating disorder, Ben's temper, and the introduction of Maggie's overbearing mother Diana Walford (Sarah Chadwick) ahead of Ben and Maggie's vow renewal. The biggest test for the family was an issue-led storyline focusing on Maggie's battle with cancer. Nichol found the emotional scenes easy to play out due to his close friendship with Morassi.
Ben was central to a male depression storyline, which began airing from late 2019, that sought to raise awareness of the disorder and the impact it has on suffers and their loved ones. The storyline was filmed over six months, and Nichol admitted that he was left exhausted by the end of the plot. Ben's depression is triggered by an arrest for drug trafficking, and he is seen continuously rejecting help from Maggie and Ziggy. The character's estranged brother Marco Astoni (Tim Walter) was introduced during 2020, which helped further explore Ben's fictional backstory. Writers used Marco's arrival to test Ben and Maggie's marriage, as it emerges that they once had a one-night stand. The revelation raises questions about Ziggy's paternity and leads to the couple separating. During this time, producers explored a potential romance between Ben and Gemma Parata (Bree Peters). After airing a reconciliation between Ben and Maggie, both characters departed Home and Away on 14 July 2020. The character has been called "one of the town's favourite residents" by a writer for New Idea, but The West Australian' Stephanie McKenna was critical of his persona saying he "displays no emotion" and "rarely expresses an opinion".
In early June 2017, Luke Dennehy of the Herald Sun confirmed that the four-strong Astoni family, played by Rohan Nichol, Kestie Morassi, Sophie Dillman and Anna Cocquerel, would soon be introduced to the serial. The actors had been photographed filming their first scenes earlier in the year. The Astonis are the first nuclear family to be introduced to Home and Away in 17 years, since the arrival of the Sutherlands in 2000. Nichol was cast as patriarch Ben Astoni. He had previously appeared in the guest role of Stafford McRae in 2004. Nichol admitted that he was "approaching 40 and just feeling very burnt out and not connected to anyone or anything" when he was offered the role. He thought it was good timing and described it as the "right thing" for himself.
He was also glad of the chance to work with Morassi, whom he was friends with. He stated "When I came for the call back, I saw her out the front and I went 'thank god it's Kestie'. We got in there and looked after each other, had a blast, and we both had a good feeling about it." Nichol relocated from Melbourne to Sydney to accommodate his filming commitments. He was keen to stay with the show for a long time, and took inspiration from his co-star Ray Meagher, who has played Alf Stewart since the first episode. He found Meagher's perspective interesting and said "I think he was around my age when he joined, when the show started, and as a man in your 40s you sort of think about 'where am I going in this caper, what am I doing?'" The Astoni's arrival was preceded by a promotional trailer, which showed them visiting the fictional town of Summer Bay. Nichol made his debut as Ben on 20 June 2017.
Ahead of the character's introduction, a press release stated "Ben is a family man, besotted with his wife and a devoted father to Ziggy and Coco. His business in the city is floundering and his kids are going off the rails. Ben is looking for a circuit breaker." The character's profile on TVNZ describes him as "just your average Aussie bloke." He is "laidback and cheeky", but also has a tough side and is protective of his family, whom he always puts first. Kerry Harvey of Stuff.co.nz said Ben is a "hotheaded" former professional surfer. Nichol branded Ben "a daggy dad" and "hot tempered and emotional", which are traits he shared and could relate to. Nichol liked his character's persona and thought he was the type of man he would spend time with at the weekend. Nichol said "He's a good guy, he's a guy I'd like to have a beer with! I like the fact that Ben is very loyal and he's a lover. He's very in love with his wife." Nichol found the beach scenes were an incentive for him to stay fit, but he thought Ben did not have to "look like a superhero", he just needs to look like a man who stays fit, but also enjoys an occasional beer. Nichol was comfortable portraying Ben's family life and occupation as a carpenter, but he struggled with his character's passion for surfing. He admitted that he could not surf and he felt like he was "chained to a coffee table" every time he left the water with a surfboard.
Ben and eldest daughter Ziggy Astoni (Dillman) were the first members of the Astoni family to be introduced. Dillman said Ziggy is running away from an issue she has caused in the city when she ducks into a bathroom and meets Brody Morgan (Jackson Heywood). He helps hide her in his car as Ben comes looking for her. Later at home, Ben chastises his daughter for stealing a car and fleeing the scene. At the same time, his wife Maggie Astoni (Morassi) brings their youngest daughter Coco Astoni (Cocquerel) home and reveals that she had been suspended from school, leading Maggie to suggest that they all go on a day trip. Dillman said the Astonis were "a normal family. But they're trying to make things work with two kids." The family end up in Summer Bay, where they spend the day at the beach. When it is time for them to leave, they discover their car will not start, leading Ben to introduce himself to town stalwart Alf Stewart, who realises that their car will not be fixed that day, leaving them stuck in the Bay. The family stay in the caravan park and Ziggy causes trouble by stealing from the locals. Johnathon Hughes of the Radio Times observed that the Astonis are "relieved to be leaving" when the car is fixed, until Ben reverses into a water tank and causes a pipe to burst.
Ben and Maggie decide to move to the Bay permanently, as Maggie secures the principal's job at the local high school and Ben decides on a career change. Vanessa Williams of The West Australian wrote that Ben is "impressed by Summer Bay's golden beaches and bumper waves", and he realises that the town can also offer his family a fresh start. Nichol told Williams that the Astonis like the idea of living in the Bay, as their time in the city has not been working out for them. He continued, "They encounter some friendly faces and it's all a bit fortuitous that they land there and Ben's a surfer, and the waves are good, and between him and his wife, they decide to do what a lot people dream to do and have a bit of a sea change. So that's how it comes to be and naturally there are dramas along the way which everyone will find out about." Nichol identified with the character's move to Summer Bay, due to his own experience of relocating to Manly from Melbourne for the role. Series producer Lucy Addario said the Astonis would settle into the community without any major incidents.
Hub AI
Ben Astoni AI simulator
(@Ben Astoni_simulator)
Ben Astoni
Ben Astoni is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Home and Away, played by Rohan Nichol. The actor felt the offer of the role was good timing, as he was approaching his 40th birthday and feeling unconnected to anything. He previously appeared in the serial as Stafford McRae in 2004. Nichol relocated from Melbourne to Sydney to accommodate his filming commitments, and he began filming alongside his on-screen family in early 2017. Nichol expressed an interest in staying with the show for a long time. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 20 June 2017. Ben is introduced along with his wife Maggie Astoni (Kestie Morassi) and two daughters Ziggy Astoni (Sophie Dillman) and Coco Astoni (Anna Cocquerel), making them the first nuclear family to be introduced to Home and Away in 17 years.
Ben is portrayed as a laidback, loyal, hotheaded family man. He is a carpenter and former professional surfer. Nichol thought Ben was the type of man he shares a beer with, and he felt he could relate to his "daggy" side. The Astoni family relocate to the town of Summer Bay for a fresh start, which Nichol could identify with following his own move. The introduction of the family was a return to parent-child storylines that had not been featured in recent years. The Astoni's closeness and loyalty have been tested numerous times, with issues ranging from Coco's eating disorder, Ben's temper, and the introduction of Maggie's overbearing mother Diana Walford (Sarah Chadwick) ahead of Ben and Maggie's vow renewal. The biggest test for the family was an issue-led storyline focusing on Maggie's battle with cancer. Nichol found the emotional scenes easy to play out due to his close friendship with Morassi.
Ben was central to a male depression storyline, which began airing from late 2019, that sought to raise awareness of the disorder and the impact it has on suffers and their loved ones. The storyline was filmed over six months, and Nichol admitted that he was left exhausted by the end of the plot. Ben's depression is triggered by an arrest for drug trafficking, and he is seen continuously rejecting help from Maggie and Ziggy. The character's estranged brother Marco Astoni (Tim Walter) was introduced during 2020, which helped further explore Ben's fictional backstory. Writers used Marco's arrival to test Ben and Maggie's marriage, as it emerges that they once had a one-night stand. The revelation raises questions about Ziggy's paternity and leads to the couple separating. During this time, producers explored a potential romance between Ben and Gemma Parata (Bree Peters). After airing a reconciliation between Ben and Maggie, both characters departed Home and Away on 14 July 2020. The character has been called "one of the town's favourite residents" by a writer for New Idea, but The West Australian' Stephanie McKenna was critical of his persona saying he "displays no emotion" and "rarely expresses an opinion".
In early June 2017, Luke Dennehy of the Herald Sun confirmed that the four-strong Astoni family, played by Rohan Nichol, Kestie Morassi, Sophie Dillman and Anna Cocquerel, would soon be introduced to the serial. The actors had been photographed filming their first scenes earlier in the year. The Astonis are the first nuclear family to be introduced to Home and Away in 17 years, since the arrival of the Sutherlands in 2000. Nichol was cast as patriarch Ben Astoni. He had previously appeared in the guest role of Stafford McRae in 2004. Nichol admitted that he was "approaching 40 and just feeling very burnt out and not connected to anyone or anything" when he was offered the role. He thought it was good timing and described it as the "right thing" for himself.
He was also glad of the chance to work with Morassi, whom he was friends with. He stated "When I came for the call back, I saw her out the front and I went 'thank god it's Kestie'. We got in there and looked after each other, had a blast, and we both had a good feeling about it." Nichol relocated from Melbourne to Sydney to accommodate his filming commitments. He was keen to stay with the show for a long time, and took inspiration from his co-star Ray Meagher, who has played Alf Stewart since the first episode. He found Meagher's perspective interesting and said "I think he was around my age when he joined, when the show started, and as a man in your 40s you sort of think about 'where am I going in this caper, what am I doing?'" The Astoni's arrival was preceded by a promotional trailer, which showed them visiting the fictional town of Summer Bay. Nichol made his debut as Ben on 20 June 2017.
Ahead of the character's introduction, a press release stated "Ben is a family man, besotted with his wife and a devoted father to Ziggy and Coco. His business in the city is floundering and his kids are going off the rails. Ben is looking for a circuit breaker." The character's profile on TVNZ describes him as "just your average Aussie bloke." He is "laidback and cheeky", but also has a tough side and is protective of his family, whom he always puts first. Kerry Harvey of Stuff.co.nz said Ben is a "hotheaded" former professional surfer. Nichol branded Ben "a daggy dad" and "hot tempered and emotional", which are traits he shared and could relate to. Nichol liked his character's persona and thought he was the type of man he would spend time with at the weekend. Nichol said "He's a good guy, he's a guy I'd like to have a beer with! I like the fact that Ben is very loyal and he's a lover. He's very in love with his wife." Nichol found the beach scenes were an incentive for him to stay fit, but he thought Ben did not have to "look like a superhero", he just needs to look like a man who stays fit, but also enjoys an occasional beer. Nichol was comfortable portraying Ben's family life and occupation as a carpenter, but he struggled with his character's passion for surfing. He admitted that he could not surf and he felt like he was "chained to a coffee table" every time he left the water with a surfboard.
Ben and eldest daughter Ziggy Astoni (Dillman) were the first members of the Astoni family to be introduced. Dillman said Ziggy is running away from an issue she has caused in the city when she ducks into a bathroom and meets Brody Morgan (Jackson Heywood). He helps hide her in his car as Ben comes looking for her. Later at home, Ben chastises his daughter for stealing a car and fleeing the scene. At the same time, his wife Maggie Astoni (Morassi) brings their youngest daughter Coco Astoni (Cocquerel) home and reveals that she had been suspended from school, leading Maggie to suggest that they all go on a day trip. Dillman said the Astonis were "a normal family. But they're trying to make things work with two kids." The family end up in Summer Bay, where they spend the day at the beach. When it is time for them to leave, they discover their car will not start, leading Ben to introduce himself to town stalwart Alf Stewart, who realises that their car will not be fixed that day, leaving them stuck in the Bay. The family stay in the caravan park and Ziggy causes trouble by stealing from the locals. Johnathon Hughes of the Radio Times observed that the Astonis are "relieved to be leaving" when the car is fixed, until Ben reverses into a water tank and causes a pipe to burst.
Ben and Maggie decide to move to the Bay permanently, as Maggie secures the principal's job at the local high school and Ben decides on a career change. Vanessa Williams of The West Australian wrote that Ben is "impressed by Summer Bay's golden beaches and bumper waves", and he realises that the town can also offer his family a fresh start. Nichol told Williams that the Astonis like the idea of living in the Bay, as their time in the city has not been working out for them. He continued, "They encounter some friendly faces and it's all a bit fortuitous that they land there and Ben's a surfer, and the waves are good, and between him and his wife, they decide to do what a lot people dream to do and have a bit of a sea change. So that's how it comes to be and naturally there are dramas along the way which everyone will find out about." Nichol identified with the character's move to Summer Bay, due to his own experience of relocating to Manly from Melbourne for the role. Series producer Lucy Addario said the Astonis would settle into the community without any major incidents.