In a pivotal development for Home and Away, Roo Stewart’s aspirations of adopting her foster son, Cohen, face a significant challenge with the unexpected arrival of a man claiming to be the child’s biological father. This dramatic turn is set to unfold as Cohen’s (Nathan Murray) journey in Summer Bay, which began just months prior, takes a surprising and complicated new direction.
Cohen first arrived in mid-May under unusual circumstances. New Sergeant David Langham (Jeremy Lindsay Taylor) was called to investigate a disturbance involving a local homeless woman, Samantha (Heidi May). David found Samantha in distress, shouting at officers outside her tent. His initial compassionate approach to help her find safe accommodation was disrupted when Constable Tom Bowman (Nick Drummond) discovered a large quantity of stolen mobile phones hidden in Samantha’s car boot. As Samantha became agitated and David attempted to control the escalating situation, a voice from within the tent called out, “Mum…?”, revealing the presence of young Cohen.
Despite his sympathy for their plight, David was compelled to arrest Samantha, as the phones matched the description of items stolen from a Reefton Lakes warehouse. Cohen was subsequently taken to Yabbie Creek Police Station, where David assured him he would be looked after. With Samantha facing a string of warrants for shoplifting and breaking and entering, her release was unlikely, forcing David to seek emergency accommodation for Cohen. This coincided fortuitously with Roo Stewart’s (Georgie Parker) return to Summer Bay from Merimbula, where she had been recovering from a difficult experience with her previous foster child, Eliza (Martha Kate Morgan). Cohen soon moved into Summer Bay house with Roo and Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons), marking Roo’s second foster placement within the year. Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) also returned from Merimbula, offering Roo his full support, assuaging any earlier concerns about her fostering again so soon after Eliza.
What began as a temporary arrangement quickly solidified when David informed Roo that Samantha had decided to relinquish all parental rights, expressing a complete desire to sever ties with her son. Police efforts to locate other family members proved fruitless; Cohen’s only recollection was of a grandmother in Canberra, but investigations revealed she had passed away months earlier. This left Roo to confront the reality that Cohen would likely be with her for the long haul.
As Cohen developed a profound connection with his new foster family, particularly bonding with Alf over a shared passion for fishing, Roo began to consider adoption. She confided in Alf about her wish to legally adopt Cohen. Harper (Jessica Redmayne) clarified that the adoption could only proceed with Cohen’s consent. Roo gently explained the situation to Cohen, assuring him that Samantha would always remain his mother, but expressing her desire for them to become a permanent family in the Bay. With Cohen’s heartfelt consent, Roo immediately initiated the application process, seemingly on the path to becoming a mother once more. Nathan Murray, who portrays Cohen, shared that his character initially hesitated about adoption, fearing it meant he would never see his mother again. However, as Cohen experienced Roo’s unwavering care, friendliness, and love, he swiftly embraced the idea.
However, Roo’s path to adoption is about to face an unforeseen and significant obstacle with the impending arrival of a new character. Recent previews of upcoming events reveal a man arriving in Summer Bay asserting himself as Cohen’s father. Scenes show Roo’s deep emotional investment in Cohen; her heart swells watching him prepare for a fishing trip with Alf, with her aspirations of becoming a mother again seemingly within reach.
The new character, Adrian Purcell (Tom Matthews), appears at Yabbie Creek Police Station, announcing, “I’m Adrian Purcell, I’m here about Cohen.” Sergeant Langham questions Adrian, asking directly, “Is there a chance that you could be his father?” Following this shocking revelation, David is compelled to inform Roo that her adoption application must be put on hold, pending the results of a DNA test to confirm Adrian’s paternity. Visibly taken aback, Roo rushes to the police station, her hand pressed to her head as she watches the new arrival through the interview room window. It was later revealed that Adrian arrives at the station clutching a photograph of a newborn, which he believes to be Cohen.
Their first meeting is charged with tension. “I just wanted to say thank you for taking care of him,” Adrian tells Roo. Her cold response, “Well, no one else was here to do it,” underscores her protectiveness. The unfolding drama immediately raises questions about the lengths Roo will go to safeguard Cohen. While Roo clearly wishes Adrian would distance himself from the boy who might be his son, Adrian has other plans. Unaware of Adrian’s presence or his connection, Cohen proceeds with his day, having never met or known anything about his father. Roo attempts to keep the news from Cohen for the time being. Yet, Adrian approaches Cohen in the parkland, recognizing Roo from the station and quickly piecing together the situation.
Despite Roo’s desperate attempts to intervene, Adrian utters the life-altering words: “I think I’m your dad!” Roo immediately retorts, “You can’t say that to him!” as Cash Newman rushes over, having noticed the escalating confrontation. Cohen, bewildered, responds, “I don’t have a dad.” Roo frantically shouts again, “You can’t say that to him! Cash!” Nathan Murray described Cohen’s profound confusion and distress at being confronted by a stranger yelling his name, fearing this man was attempting to separate him from the only person who had shown him care. As Cash questions the chaotic scene, Cohen demands answers. This sudden arrival poses a severe threat to Roo’s dreams of forming a permanent family with her new foster child, potentially dismantling everything before it has truly begun.
The eventual arrival of one of Cohen’s family members had been anticipated for some time, with actor Tom Matthews, who portrays Adrian, having been seen filming scenes with Nathan Murray (Cohen) months prior to this on-screen development. Earlier observations by local residents included a scene where Cohen was seen with an older male character whose identity was then unknown. The pair were seen conversing with Roo and Marilyn before walking off together. Further sightings noted the same actor filming with Cohen a few weeks later, where the pair shared a loving hug, with Roo observing. The critical question now looms: if Adrian is indeed Cohen’s biological father, will Roo be prepared to let her new foster child go?
