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Selina Cook
Selina Cook
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Selina Cook
Home and Away character
Portrayed byTempany Deckert
Louise Crawford (1996)
Duration1994–1998
First appearance5 May 1994
Last appearance30 March 1998
ClassificationFormer, regular
Introduced byAndrew Howie (1994)
John Holmes (1998)
In-universe information
OccupationStudent (1994–96)
Nurse (1997–)
MotherDawn Cook
BrothersWayne Cook
HusbandSteven Matheson

Selina Cook (also Roberts) is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Tempany Deckert. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 5 May 1994. Deckert was given the role of Selina after her third audition for the show. In 1996, Deckert fell ill and Louise Crawford played Selina in her absence. In 1997, Deckert decided to leave the serial, however briefly returned in 1998. Her return was filmed in Ironbridge, Shropshire, as part of the serial's first ever overseas location filming. Selina's last appearance to date was on 30 March 1998, where she agreed to marry Steven.

Selina was introduced to the show after she developed a crush on her teacher. Selina was portrayed as a tearaway, who had a reputation for being the "town tramp." She often went off the rails, due to arguments with her parents, but she was a good person deep inside. Inside Soap described her as a "tart with a heart who's simply misunderstood." Selina was also a tomboy who regularly dressed in tartan shirts and Doc Martens. Deckert revealed that Selina was supposed to be a clichéd bimbo, so she decided to introduce biker boots to the wardrobe department. Selina later decides to clean up her act and she begins dating Jack Wilson, who she believes is her soul mate. Selina has been central to many "bizarre" storylines such as having a miscarriage at school, being sexually harassed, stalked and entering a relationship with her school teacher Steven Matheson. The character has received mixed reviews from critics. Deckert earned a nomination for "Most Popular Actress" at the Logie Awards, for her portrayal of Selina.

Casting

[edit]

Deckert auditioned for Home and Away three times in Melbourne.[1] Following her third audition, she was asked to fly to Sydney for a screen test and was told she had the part of Selina.[1] She was asked to return the following day to begin filming and Deckert had to leave her school in order to join the show.[1] In 1996, Deckert fell ill and actress Louise Crawford played Selina during Deckert's temporary absence.[2] In mid-1997, speculation grew around Deckert and whether she had quit the serial, though the Home and Away publicity department did not confirm nor deny her departure.[3] However, Deckert did leave the serial in 1997. She made a brief return to filming in 1998.[4]

Character development

[edit]

Upon her arrival, Selina was described as being a tearaway with an attitude.[5] Selina also had a reputation for being the "town tramp" and Deckert explained that while it was a pretty true description, it was not exactly Selina's fault. She said "She's a good person deep down even if she is a bit of a slut."[5] Selina had lived in the Bay with her family all her life. She and her parents spent their time arguing rather than discussing their problems, which led to Selina going off the rails.[5]

Deckert told Inside Soap that the reason for Selina's introduction was her crush on teacher Luke Cunningham (John Adam).[5] Selina chases after Luke at the debutante ball, but Luke is not interested in her. Her attempts to seduce him, makes her a household name and reputation falls even further.[5] Selina decides to clean up her act following the fiasco with Luke and she turns out to be a "tart with a heart who's simply misunderstood."[5] Selina begins dating fellow wild child Jack Wilson (Daniel Amalm) and Deckert said that the relationship allowed her to portray Selina's softer side.[5] Of this, she said "It comes as a big surprise to Selina when she realises that she really does like Jack. She's used to chasing anything in trousers! In fact, she finds herself falling in love, especially when she discovers Jack doesn't have any parents - she warms to him and sees him as a real soul mate."[5] While interviewed by the Daily Mirror Deckert said "Selina has always been into boys, in fact, they're her only real interest."[6]

Selina regularly dressed in leather jackets, tartan shirts and Doc Martens. Victoria Ross of Inside Soap opined that Selina had a "passion for dodgy fashion" and was not likely to blend into the background.[5] Deckert said her character was not supposed to be a "real grunge chick" and explained that Selina was going to be a clichéd bimbo.[5] The actress introduced the wardrobe department to biker boots and Selina became a real tomboy.[5] Deckert told The Sun-Herald that some viewers were shocked at her real appearance as they thought Selina looked "like such a dog" in the show.[7]

Selina develops a relationship with Curtis Reed (Shane Ammann).[8] Ammann fell ill in real life so producers forced Deckert to have a blood test following kissing scenes. Although it turned out to be minor, changes to filming were made so their characters would not share many kissing scenes.[8] In one storyline Selina discovers she is pregnant after a fling with Damian Roberts (Matt Doran). Deckert said it was a hard storyline and she was shocked because she had no idea what would happen to Selina.[7] When producers informed her that Selina would miscarry, she was happy she would not have to act the birth scenes out. Selina miscarries in the school corridor and Deckert said it was a surprising element, but disliked having twenty extras watching her perform.[7] Deckert later told a reporter from What's on TV that "she's always been a failure, but being a mum was something she was determined to do well."[9]

Selina had a complicated relationship with her teacher Steven Matheson (Adam Willits). Their romance was rocky and it took many "twists" throughout its progression.[10] Selina left Steven on their wedding day. Deckert said it was a typical soap wedding with plenty of mishaps along the way.[11] A conclusion to their storyline and Deckert's final appearance to date, was filmed in Ironbridge, Shropshire.[12] This was the first occasion the serial had filmed an episode overseas.[10] The storyline saw Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger) arrive to help Selina recover from malaria. She also reunited Selina with Steven, who arrived pledging his love for her.[4]

Storylines

[edit]

Selina develops a crush on her teacher Luke Cunningham and is known for an allegedly promiscuous nature. Jack Wilson is attracted to her and they begin dating and attend the school formal together. While sharing a kiss at the dance, they accidentally end up tipping paint over principal Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn) and his date Irene. Selina's mother, Dawn (Kim Deacon) tells her they are moving away. Selina offers to sleep with Jack before she leaves, but he tells her she does not have to. Several weeks later, Selina runs away and asks Irene to take her in. Irene cannot officially foster her but the Department of Child Care Services agree she can stay with Irene. Selina discovers that Jack is already dating another girl, Sonia Johnson (Eva Matuik) and punches him. Selina and Jack later resume their relationship but Jack continues to see Sonia and also begins dating Frankie Brooks (Lenka Kripac). When the girls discover Jack's three-timing, they concoct a revenge plan which leaves Jack humiliated in the caravan park but nothing but his boxers.

Selina begins looking for a new boyfriend and sets her sights on Curtis. Shannon (Isla Fisher), Curtis' adopted sister and girlfriend is annoyed and this and they fight at a party. Rob Storey (Matthew Lilley) turns a hose on them in order to break it up. Selina backs off and she and Shannon become good friends. Selina briefly dates Irene's nephew, Nelson McFarlane (Laurence Bruels). Irene's son Damian arrives for Shane Parrish (Dieter Brummer) and Angel Brooks' (Melissa George) wedding and Selina is attracted to him. They sleep together and Selina later discovers she is pregnant. Neither are ready for parenthood, so Selina decides to put the baby up for adoption and call her Maddie upon birth. However, Selina later suffers a miscarriage.

Curtis and Selina begin dating. On a school trip, Selina stops classmate Joe Lynch (Justin Rosniak) from running away after a bullying incident but this results in Donald finding her with Joe, Jack and Curtis in the boys' dorm. Donald cancels the trip and Selina exacerbates the situation by arguing with him. He tries to unsuccessfully have her expelled and is forced to reinstate her. Selina is later elected school captain and changes her name by deed poll to Roberts.[13] Irene reconciles with her estranged husband, Murdoch (Tom Richards), he begins sexually harassing Selina. Irene discovers the truth and throws Murdoch out. After Murdoch's body is found after a bushfire, Irene and Selina find themselves suspects for his murder but are cleared. Selina has a near-death experience when she is stung in the throat by a bee and has strange visions, including her baby crying and a prophetic projection of Steven and Brian "Dodge" Forbes (Kelly Dingwall) fighting and falling over a cliff ledge. Selina later ends things with Curtis after this incident, because Curtis found her story to be too unbelievable.

Saul Bennett (David Ritchie) becomes obsessed with her and tells her if she has a child with him Maddie would be reincarnated. Irene, Shannon and Alex Bennett (Nick Freedman) all try to prevent her from being brainwashed by Saul. She eventually comes to her senses which results in Saul kidnapping her until Alex saves her. When Selina finds an abandoned baby called Millie on the beach, she is convinced it is fate. The Baby's father, Brendan Coyne (Billy Mitchell) turns up and takes a liking to Selina and suggests they raise Millie together, Selina turns him down and he leaves. Selina is stalked and has her underwear and other items stolen, Selina believes Curtis is responsible. Curtis had caught the real stalker and kept his identity a secret. Selina has an affair with her teacher Steven. They acknowledge they have feelings for each other but realise their romance is forbidden whilst she is at school. Selina then befriends her classmate Jeremy Riggs (David Stanley), until she discovered he had been her stalker. When Jeremy finds out about her and Steven, he tries to blackmail her into going out with him and when Selina rejects him he makes a suicide attempt by hanging himself in the school toilet. Not long after, Irene also finds out about Selina and Steven and makes a complaint. After an investigation Steven is forced to resign and leaves the area. Selina begins dating former criminal Jesse McGregor (Ben Unwin) and he agrees to change his ways. Selina later bonds with Jesse's daughter Rachel (Kelly Glaister). When Jesse kisses Chloe Richards (Kristy Wright), she refuses to forgive them at first but later resumes her relationship with Jesse and friendship with Chloe.

Irene's grandson, Paul is kidnapped, so Selina and Joey Rainbow (Alex O'Han) both visit Saul's commune to find out the truth. Selina is imprisoned in a room that is set on fire. Jesse and Joey rescue her and Saul is presumed dead. Selina begins studying nursing at University and is placed at Northern Districts' hospital. Selina is shocked to discovers that the hospital's computer repairman is Steven. He makes it clear he still loves Selina but she is still with Jesse. However, Selina cannot deny her feelings for Steven and they end up back together before she agrees to marry him. Irene is against the union, but is eventually changes her mind. On her way to the wedding, the limousine disappears. Saul turns out to be the driver and kidnaps Selina for the third time. When Saul falls ill, Selina chooses to stay with him rather than using the chance to escape. The police later corner Saul and Constable Terri Garner (Alyson Standen) shoots Saul dead after believing he was armed. Selina is shaken by this and tells Steven she is not ready to marry him and leaves the Bay to travel. Selina contracts malaria whilst in Africa and is brought Ironbridge by Geoffrey Burns (Ben Price) to convalesce. Irene and Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons) fly over to help care for her and Irene calls Steven. He and Selina rekindle their relationship and she agrees to marry him and let him travel with her.

Reception

[edit]

For her portrayal of Selina, Deckert was nominated for "Most Popular Actress" at the 1997 Logie Awards.[14] Later that year she was nominated for "Best Actress" at the Inside Soap Awards.[15] Deckert said many viewers felt sorry for Selina because of all the trauma she had faced in her life.[7] She added that she had done some of the "weirdest" acting thanks to Selina's "bizarre life."[7] Dave Lanning writing for The People questioned whether Australia had child welfare when "slinky Selina" found a baby on the beach and kept it.[16] The Birmingham Post said Selina being kidnapped on her wedding day was a "bizarre storyline."[10] The Newcastle Herald included the 1998 episode of Home and Away, in which Selina and Steven returned in their "TV Highlights" feature.[17]

Simon Hughes writing for The Age said the serial was like a "pedophile's paradise" and that Selina's storyline with Murdoch highlighted this. He opined that Selina's predicament should not be underestimated, and observed Selina as being a "typical adolescent" because she "rolls her eyes, sneers and pouts and purses her lips." He concluded that Home and Away's make-up department made her look like a "Puerto Rican whore in a school dress."[18] In Dr. Glyn Davis and Kay Dickinson's book Teen TV: genre, consumption, identity, they said teenage oriented television in the 1990s portrayed many characters appearing to snub university, using Selina as one of their examples.[19] A writer from What's on TV stated that Selina losing her baby was one of her most heart-breaking moments; adding "Selina Cook has suffered her fair share of knocks."[9]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Selina Cook, later known as Selina Roberts, is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, portrayed by actress Tempany Deckert from 1994 to 1998. Introduced as a rebellious teenager and Summer Bay High student, she arrived in the fictional town of Summer Bay with a reputation for being promiscuous and quickly developed a crush on her teacher, Luke Cunningham. After her mother moved away, leaving her behind, Selina was taken in by Irene Roberts, who became a maternal figure, though not formally her foster parent. Throughout her tenure on the show, Selina's storylines highlighted her turbulent life, including multiple romantic relationships that often led to heartbreak and conflict. She dated classmates Jack Wilson and Curtis Reed, had a brief with Irene's son Damian Roberts resulting in a and subsequent , and later became engaged to teacher despite opposition from Irene. Her arcs also involved high-drama perils, such as joining a led by the manipulative Saul Bennett, who kidnapped her; surviving a severe allergic reaction to a ; being stalked by a former associate; and discovering an abandoned baby that she ultimately chose not to raise. By 1997, Selina had trained as a student nurse, reflecting her growth amid the chaos. Selina departed Summer Bay in October 1997 to travel following Saul's death, but made a brief return in March 1998 after contracting while travelling overseas and convalescing in the , during which she reconciled with Steven before leaving again. Her character's portrayal earned Deckert a nomination for the Logie Award for Most Popular Actress in 1996, underscoring Selina's status as a fan-favorite for her complex depiction of adolescent struggles and resilience.

Casting and development

Casting

Tempany Deckert, then 16 years old, was cast in the role of Selina Cook following auditions that secured her the part for the Australian soap opera . The character was introduced by executive producer Andrew Howie, with Deckert's first episode airing on 5 May 1994. Deckert, who had trained at a youth theatre in , relocated to to take on the role and committed to a four-year stint on the series from 1994 to 1997. In 1996, Deckert temporarily stepped away from the role due to glandular fever, during which actress Louise Crawford substituted as for several episodes in July and August. Deckert returned to the series full-time afterward. For 's brief 1998 return storyline, executive producer John Holmes oversaw production, which presented logistical challenges as it marked the show's first overseas filming. The episodes were shot on location in , , UK, requiring the cast and crew to travel internationally.

Character conception and development

Selina Cook was initially conceived by the Home and Away production team as a rebellious "tearaway" teenager embodying the of a misunderstood young woman with a troubled reputation in , designed to explore themes of youthful defiance and hidden vulnerability common in narratives. This foundation drew on classic tropes of the "tart with a heart," portraying her as outwardly tough and promiscuous but ultimately compassionate and redeemable beneath the surface. Her core family background positioned her as the daughter of Dawn Cook and sister to Wayne Cook, reflecting a dysfunctional home life that fueled her initial rebellious phase. Later, as part of her evolving narrative, she was taken in by Irene Roberts, who became a maternal figure though not formally her foster parent; Selina adopted the surname Roberts to symbolize a shift toward stability and familial acceptance. Visually, Selina's stylistic development emphasized her tomboyish persona, with writers and costume designers opting for a grunge-inspired look featuring shirts, Doc Martens boots, and heavy black to underscore her "town tramp" image while hinting at an underlying resilience. This aesthetic choice reinforced the character's dual nature, blending edginess with approachability to appeal to teen audiences and facilitate her transition from antagonist-like troublemaker to sympathetic figure. The planned character arc for Selina traced a progression from impulsive youth to a more mature and resilient individual, achieved through scripted interpersonal dynamics that highlighted her growth amid adversity, such as forming protective bonds and navigating personal crises within the soap's dramatic framework. This development was influenced by enduring soap opera conventions, prioritizing emotional depth and redemption arcs to reveal vulnerability masked by a tough exterior, ensuring her evolution resonated with viewers over her tenure.

Storylines

1994–1995: Arrival and early challenges

Selina Cook arrived in on 5 May 1994, in episode 1459 of , alongside her mother Dawn and brother Wayne, quickly establishing a reputation as a rebellious teen tearaway due to her tomboyish style featuring thick , shirts, and Doc Martens. As a new student at Summer Bay High, she immediately clashed with authority figures, including principal , over minor infractions like inappropriate clothing modifications, such as cutting her jeans too short, which sparked an argument with her temporary guardian Irene Roberts and contributed to Irene suffering a minor heart attack. These early disruptions highlighted her defiant personality and set the tone for her integration challenges in the close-knit community. Family tensions escalated when Dawn announced plans to relocate from , prompting Selina to run away and seek refuge with Irene, despite Irene's initial inability to officially foster her due to her own history of . Social services eventually permitted Selina to stay with Irene unofficially, marking the beginning of a surrogate mother-daughter bond amid ongoing difficulties with Dawn and Wayne, who represented an unstable home environment that Selina sought to escape. Romantically, Selina developed an intense crush on her teacher Luke Cunningham upon arrival, viewing him as an unattainable ideal, though her affections soon shifted to fellow student Jack Wilson, whom she regarded as a and began shortly after settling in. The pair attended the school formal together, but their relationship faced early strain when Selina discovered Jack's infidelity with Sonia Johnson and Frankie Brooks, leading her to punch him in a fit of rage and plot minor revenge. In 1995, Selina's romantic life intensified as she began dating Curtis Reed following his breakup with . However, the relationship faced strain after Selina suffered a severe allergic reaction to a in her throat while on the beach, leading to a and hallucinatory visions, including of her future baby, that prompted her to question her path. This incident contributed to their breakup. Selina soon entered a brief but intense fling with Damian Roberts, Irene's son, which resulted in her discovering she was pregnant; she named the unborn child Maddie and initially planned . Tragically, Selina experienced a at school, deeply affecting her emotionally and leading to isolation. Concurrently, she endured from Murdoch Roberts, Irene's estranged husband, who made unwanted advances; Selina confided in Irene after keeping it secret initially, whose confrontation with Murdoch escalated family tensions, culminating in his by another character in 1996. Her rebellious streak extended to school activities, including a notorious incident during a 1995 class trip where she stopped classmate Joe Lynch from running away after bullying but was caught in the boys' dormitory with him, Jack, and , resulting in the trip's cancellation, a heated confrontation with Fisher, and a near-expulsion—though staff support allowed her reinstatement and eventual election as school captain that year. These events underscored Selina's struggle to balance her impulsive nature with emerging leadership potential in . She later changed her surname to Roberts by , symbolizing her commitment to her new family with Irene.

1996–1997: Relationships and crises

These traumas from 1995 were compounded by stalking from Saul Bennett, a manipulative leader who stole her personal items and attempted to exploit her grief over the by claiming Maddie would be reincarnated through him. Amid ongoing challenges, was temporarily replaced by actress Louise Crawford in due to Tempany Deckert's illness, allowing the storylines to continue seamlessly (episodes 1956–1984). Saul's obsession escalated to multiple kidnapping attempts: in one instance, he abducted in , but she was rescued by Alex Poulos; a second attempt in 1997 on her wedding day to further highlighted her vulnerability before rescuers intervened, leading to Saul's death. also found an abandoned baby named Millie on the beach and briefly considered raising her as fate, but the baby's father, Brendan Coyne, reclaimed her, and chose not to pursue it. Additionally, she was stalked by former associate Jeremy Riggs. The foster family with Irene provided a crucial anchor during this turmoil, offering emotional support as processed the losses. By late 1997, had trained as a student nurse, reflecting her growth, and her attention shifted to a forbidden attraction to her teacher, , which began as a secretive connection and evolved into a controversial relationship despite the ethical concerns surrounding their student-teacher dynamic.

1998: Departure and return

In late 1997, following the traumatic events surrounding her attempted wedding to , Selina reconciled with him after a period of emotional turmoil and doubt. Their renewed commitment culminated in a decision to embark on international travels together, focusing on volunteer work, which marked the end of Selina's regular presence in . She bid farewell to friends and family in episode 2273, aired on 29 October 1997, departing with Steven to pursue this new chapter abroad. Selina's one-off return occurred in early 1998, during episode 2351, broadcast on 30 March, providing closure to her storyline. While volunteering in alongside Steven, she contracted , leading to a severe illness that required her convalescence in , . Irene Roberts, concerned for her well-being, traveled to with to support her recovery, where it became evident Selina was still grappling with unresolved feelings for Steven. Irene secretly arranged for Steven to visit, facilitating their reunion. In a poignant moment at the historic , Steven proposed marriage to with a ring she had once described as her ideal, symbolizing their enduring bond. Selina accepted, agreeing to wed and continue their adventures as a couple, highlighting her personal evolution from a rebellious teenager—once entangled in a controversial teacher-student dynamic with Steven—to a mature, devoted partner ready for lifelong commitment. This appearance confirmed Selina's permanent exit from the series, with no subsequent on-screen roles.

Reception

Awards and nominations

For her portrayal of Selina Cook in , received a nomination for the Silver Logie Award for Most Popular Actress at the . This recognition highlighted her performance during the character's challenging storylines, including emotional arcs involving pregnancy and . Deckert did not win the award, which was presented to for her role in Blue Heelers. The nomination was credited with acknowledging the depth Deckert brought to Selina's crises, such as harassment and personal traumas, which resonated with audiences. Deckert earned no further formal awards or nominations specifically tied to the Selina Cook role following her character's departure from the series in 1998.

Critical and fan responses

Critics have noted the emotional depth in Selina's storylines, such as her , highlighting her resilience amid personal crises. Tempany Deckert's earned a Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress in , reflecting strong audience appreciation for the character's and growth. However, Selina's storylines drew criticism for their sensational and improbable nature, often described as "ridiculous" or "bizarre," including repeated kidnappings by cult leader Saul Bennett. The "baby on the " incident, tied to her teen arc, exemplified these over-the-top elements that some reviewers found excessive for a context. Fans embraced Selina as a favorite character, which contributed to her buzz during Deckert's Logie nomination period and cemented her status in the mid-. Selina's legacy remains mixed, viewed as a quintessential soap character embodying the era's dramatic flair.

References

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