The Home and Away scene has been set ablaze with the arrival of veteran actress Rachel Karani, marking a dramatic turn in the beloved Australian series. Known for her iconic role on McLeod’s Daughters, Rachel is making a noteworthy return to Australian television with a role that promises to shake things up in Summer Bay.
Rachel Karani, who spent over a decade working in Los Angeles, is thrilled to be back in her home country and on a show she describes as iconic. Reflecting on her career, the 43-year-old actress shared with TV Week, “It feels like a full-circle moment for me. I started out on an iconic Australian show like McLeod’s Daughters, ventured overseas, and now I’m back on another iconic show. I feel incredibly fortunate.”
Her return to Australian television has been long-awaited, though not without its fair share of anticipation. Rachel reveals that the idea of joining Home and Away has been on her radar since McLeod’s ended, but it wasn’t until the perfect role came along that she decided to make the leap. “When this character opportunity came through, my agent told me right away, ‘You have to say yes,’ and after reading the role, I knew it was too good to pass up.”
In her new role, Rachel portrays Claudia, a strong-willed businesswoman whose introduction to Summer Bay is anything but smooth. Claudia makes a dramatic entrance when a car accident—caused by faulty brakes on her vehicle—leads her to confront mechanic Justin. Rachel teases that Claudia’s arrival will stir up significant drama and show a different side of her acting range compared to her previous roles.
“I think when Australians think of me, they remember the sweet, doe-eyed characters I played, which is amusing because it’s not really me,” Rachel admits. She has long desired to break away from that typecasting, which is partly why she ventured into more villainous roles in the US. Although those roles didn’t always get the recognition she hoped for back home, Rachel is excited to embrace a character who might be disliked by viewers, adding a fresh challenge to her career.
Having worked on shows like NCIS: Los Angeles and in films like The Way Back, Rachel is no stranger to the demands of acting. However, she confesses that working on Home and Away has been an unexpectedly intense experience. “I thought I’d just slip in and do my part without causing a fuss, but it really knocked me off my feet. I wasn’t as prepared as I thought I was. It’s been overwhelming, but in the best way possible.”
Despite the challenges, Rachel praises the Home and Away set as one of the most welcoming she has ever been on. “I kept wondering if everyone was really this nice,” she says. Reflecting on her earlier career days, she notes that the kindness and support she’s received are a welcome change from her more grueling past experiences.
As for the future, Rachel’s stint on Home and Away is currently a guest role, but she hints that a return might be possible. She’s also been busy with talks of a potential McLeod’s Daughters revival, though she’s cautious about details. “It could be a prequel or something entirely new, but there’s definitely something in the works. Posie Graham Evans, the creator, is keeping things close to the vest, but it’s an exciting prospect.”
Fans of both Home and Away and McLeod’s Daughters have much to look forward to with Rachel Karani’s dynamic new role. Stay tuned for more updates and spoilers on this thrilling development in Summer Bay!
