Jude Lawson
Encyclopedia
Jude Lawson is a fictional character
in the Australia
n soap opera
Home and Away
played by actor Ben Steel
. He first appeared on-screen during the episode airing on 30 October 2000 and departed on 18 July 2002.
). After his father walked out on them when he was 12, Jill became obsessed with religion and believed both Jude and his younger brother, Noah
(Beau Brady
) were possessed by demons. Jude left home at 16 and dropped out of high school. He returned for Noah when he was old enough to take responsibility. Jude began his own cleaning business in order to support them while attending night classes at TAFE in order to achieve a legal degree.
Jude is first seen when he plans to start a surf shop only to learn that it has been leased to Alf
(Ray Meagher
) and Ailsa Stewart
(Judy Nunn
) as the new diner. Jude meets Ailsa’s daughter Shauna Bradley (Kylie Watson
) and they begin spending time together. It seems as at first that Shauna is trying to avoid her ex-boyfriend Harry Reynolds
(Justin Melvey
) but she feels the same as Jude. When Ailsa dies, Jude supports Shauna in her grief.
Holly Loader, Jude’s ex-girlfriend arrives in Summer Bay and he is shocked when he learns that She and Noah had slept together while they were going out. Jude is incensed and throws Noah out but later comes to realise that Holly took advantage of Noah and sends her packing. Just as Jude rebuilds his relationship with his brother, Noah descends into alcoholism and Jill returns. Jill tries to influence Hayley Smith (Bec Cartwright) with her beliefs and Jude, Noah and Hayley’s guardian Irene Roberts
(Lynne McGranger
) are concerned. It becomes apparent that Jill is in need of psychological help and Jude and Noah agree to forgive her after she leaves to get help.
When Irene is hassled by a group of thugs working for property developer Dennis Scott, Jude steps in and able to fight them off. Jude’s quickness with his fists lands him in trouble when he is accused of beating up Kane Phillips
(Sam Atwell
), one of Shauna’s students. Jude is later cleared of any wrongdoing when it emerges Kane’s brother, Scott (Nathaniel Dean) is the culprit. After Shauna is kidnapped by Scott, Jude rescues her and he asks her to move in with him. Shauna turns down his offer but proposes to him and he accepts
Anna Miller, one of Jude’s cleaning employees, dies of cancer and Jude offers her son Seb
(Mitch Firth
) a place to live. Jude makes another new friend in new counsellor and doctor, Flynn Saunders
(Martin Dingle-Wall
). When Noah and Seb suspected that Flynn and Shauna were having an affair, Jude is shocked and confronts Flynn. Shauna tells Jude that she made a pass at Flynn and he turned her down. Jude ride off on his motorbike in a rage and crashes, suffering severe injuries. Flynn and trainee doctor, Charlotte Adams
(Stephanie Chaves-Jacobsen
) battle to save him and are successful. Shauna leaves town and Jude is left feeling down. He makes a pass at Gypsy Nash
(Kimberley Cooper
), which neither of them take very seriously.
When Charlotte becomes Jude’s new neighbour, they become very close and he supports her during her trauma with abusive boyfriend Steve Kent and helps Charlotte look after her grandmother, Gladys (Moya O’Sullivan), who is suffering from Alzheimer's
.
After developing feelings for one another, Jude and Charlotte become a couple and when Charlotte falls pregnant with twins, Jude is shocked. He confides in Noah that he likes Charlotte but doesn’t love her. Charlotte is prepared to raise the babies alone until Jude tells her he is committed to her. Charlotte miscarries and the couple hold a memorial service with their friends present.
Jude's world is then rocked when Shauna returns to the Bay to help care for Alf, who has recently suffered a heart attack. Jude still realises he has feelings for Shauna and she is still in love with him. Jude breaks the news to Charlotte and an angry Noah and he leaves with Shauna to go to Melbourne
.
When Charlotte nearly drowns several months later, she sees a vision of Jude under and begins asking for him while in hospital. Josh West
(Daniel Collopy
), who rescued Charlotte, arranges for a helicopter to fly Jude to the bay. Jude notices Charlotte is suffering from delusions, believing the they are still a couple and the twins are still alive. Jude goes along with this and remains at Charlotte's side, shortly before she dies of complications following her accident.
Jude learns that Charlotte has not changed her will following their split and inherits her entire estate including a large sum that one of her patients left her. With Alf’s help, Jude uses the funds to finance an orphanage in Vietnam
, where Charlotte had planned to go to work before she died. Jude then leaves to return to Shauna in Melbourne.
s in 2001 and 2002, respectively.
Character (arts)
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Home and Away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
played by actor Ben Steel
Ben Steel
Ben Steel is an Australian actor and director who is most known for his regular role of Jude Lawson in Australian soap Home & Away.-Early life and acting training:...
. He first appeared on-screen during the episode airing on 30 October 2000 and departed on 18 July 2002.
Storylines
Jude is the elder of two sons born to Jill Lawson (Tracy MannTracy Mann
Tracy Mann is an Australian actress. Her film credits include Hard Knocks, The Scarecrow, and Fast Talking.Mann got her first big break playing Tina Harris in the 1970s television soap opera The Box. She is possibly best remembered to audiences for playing a character who ended up behind bars, deaf...
). After his father walked out on them when he was 12, Jill became obsessed with religion and believed both Jude and his younger brother, Noah
Noah Lawson
Noah Lawson is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Beau Brady. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 6 September 2000.-Characterization:...
(Beau Brady
Beau Brady
Beau Brady is an Australian actor, best known for his role as Noah Lawson on the drama Home and Away.-Biography:Brady was educated at Oakhill College in Castle Hill, Sydney....
) were possessed by demons. Jude left home at 16 and dropped out of high school. He returned for Noah when he was old enough to take responsibility. Jude began his own cleaning business in order to support them while attending night classes at TAFE in order to achieve a legal degree.
Jude is first seen when he plans to start a surf shop only to learn that it has been leased to Alf
Alf Stewart
Alfred Douglas "Alf" Stewart is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Ray Meagher. The character debuted on-screen during the serial's pilot episode on 17 January 1988...
(Ray Meagher
Ray Meagher
Ray Meagher surname pronouned "Marr" , is a veteran Australian character actor. He has appeared regularly in Australian film and television since the mid 1970s, and is notable as the longest continuing performer in an Australian television role, as Alf Stewart on Home and Away, having played the...
) and Ailsa Stewart
Ailsa Stewart
Ailsa Stewart is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away. She was married to Alf Stewart and had a son Duncan. She was played by actress Judy Nunn for 13 and a half years...
(Judy Nunn
Judy Nunn
Judy Nunn is an Australian actress and author.-Acting career:Her breakout role was as the scheming bisexual reporter Vicky Stafford in the risque soap opera The Box. Her character became a popular cult figure in the series. Nunn continued in the role for the show's entire 1974–1977 run...
) as the new diner. Jude meets Ailsa’s daughter Shauna Bradley (Kylie Watson
Kylie Watson
Kylie Watson is an Australian actress, interior designer and model. She is best known for playing lifeguard Shauna Bradley in Australian soap Home and Away between 1999 and 2002. She is now a successful interior designer....
) and they begin spending time together. It seems as at first that Shauna is trying to avoid her ex-boyfriend Harry Reynolds
Harry Reynolds (Home and Away)
Harry Reynolds is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Justin Melvey. He made his first on-screen appearance on 13 September 1999.-Casting:...
(Justin Melvey
Justin Melvey
Justin Melvey is an Australian actor who has appeared in a number of television series in Australia and the US.Melvey is best known to Australian audiences for his role as Harry Reynolds in the evening soap opera Home and Away from 1999 to 2001...
) but she feels the same as Jude. When Ailsa dies, Jude supports Shauna in her grief.
Holly Loader, Jude’s ex-girlfriend arrives in Summer Bay and he is shocked when he learns that She and Noah had slept together while they were going out. Jude is incensed and throws Noah out but later comes to realise that Holly took advantage of Noah and sends her packing. Just as Jude rebuilds his relationship with his brother, Noah descends into alcoholism and Jill returns. Jill tries to influence Hayley Smith (Bec Cartwright) with her beliefs and Jude, Noah and Hayley’s guardian Irene Roberts
Irene Roberts
Irene Roberts is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Lynne McGranger. She was previously played by actress Jacqui Phillips from 1991 until 1992 when McGranger took over the role. Irene was originally a recurring character, in 1993 McGranger...
(Lynne McGranger
Lynne McGranger
Lynne McGranger is an Australian actress best known for her role as Irene Roberts on soap opera Home and Away. She is the second-longest serving cast member as she joined in 1992 in the show at the moment, taking over from Jacqui Phillips.-Life and career:McGranger was originally a primary school...
) are concerned. It becomes apparent that Jill is in need of psychological help and Jude and Noah agree to forgive her after she leaves to get help.
When Irene is hassled by a group of thugs working for property developer Dennis Scott, Jude steps in and able to fight them off. Jude’s quickness with his fists lands him in trouble when he is accused of beating up Kane Phillips
Kane Phillips
Kane Phillips is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Sam Atwell in 2001 and 2002, as a regular cast member from 2003 to 2005 and on a recurring basis again from 2008–2009-2001-05:...
(Sam Atwell
Sam Atwell
Samuel Atwell is an Australian television and movie actor perhaps best known for his role as Kane Phillips in the soap opera Home and Away. Born in Nambour, Queensland, he and his family lived in Indonesia for 6 years before returning to Queensland where he grew up in Brisbane...
), one of Shauna’s students. Jude is later cleared of any wrongdoing when it emerges Kane’s brother, Scott (Nathaniel Dean) is the culprit. After Shauna is kidnapped by Scott, Jude rescues her and he asks her to move in with him. Shauna turns down his offer but proposes to him and he accepts
Anna Miller, one of Jude’s cleaning employees, dies of cancer and Jude offers her son Seb
Seb Miller
Sebastian "Seb" Miller is a fictional character on the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by actor Mitch Firth between 2001 and 2004....
(Mitch Firth
Mitch Firth
Mitch Firth is an Australian actor best known for his role as Seb Miller in the TV drama series Home and Away.-TV:* Home And Away ... as Seb Miller* All Saints ... Cameron...
) a place to live. Jude makes another new friend in new counsellor and doctor, Flynn Saunders
Flynn Saunders
Dr Flynn Saunders is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Joel McIlroy. The character was originally played by Martin Dingle-Wall from 2001 until 2002. He made his first on-screen appearance on 13 July 2001....
(Martin Dingle-Wall
Martin Dingle-Wall
Martin Dingle-Wall is an Australian actor, best known for being the first to play the role of Flynn Saunders on the Australian soap opera Home and Away in 2002...
). When Noah and Seb suspected that Flynn and Shauna were having an affair, Jude is shocked and confronts Flynn. Shauna tells Jude that she made a pass at Flynn and he turned her down. Jude ride off on his motorbike in a rage and crashes, suffering severe injuries. Flynn and trainee doctor, Charlotte Adams
Charlotte Adams (Home and Away)
Charlotte Elizabeth Adams is a fictional character in the Australian soap opera Home and Away, portrayed by actress Stephanie Chaves-Jacobsen. She first appeared during th episode airing on 10 September 2001 and departed following her death on 3 September 2002.-Storylines:Charlotte is first seen as...
(Stephanie Chaves-Jacobsen
Stephanie Chaves-Jacobsen
Stephanie Jacobsen is an Australian actress.-Personal life:Jacobsen was born in Hong Kong, then a British crown colony...
) battle to save him and are successful. Shauna leaves town and Jude is left feeling down. He makes a pass at Gypsy Nash
Gypsy Nash
Gypsy Smith is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Kimberley Cooper. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 18 February 1998...
(Kimberley Cooper
Kimberley Cooper
Kimberley Cooper, in Sydney New South Wales, is an Australian actress who played Gypsy Smith in Home and Away . Cooper won the Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent on Australian television in 1999 and the Best Aussie Actress for The Inside Soap Awards, UK, 2000...
), which neither of them take very seriously.
When Charlotte becomes Jude’s new neighbour, they become very close and he supports her during her trauma with abusive boyfriend Steve Kent and helps Charlotte look after her grandmother, Gladys (Moya O’Sullivan), who is suffering from Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
.
After developing feelings for one another, Jude and Charlotte become a couple and when Charlotte falls pregnant with twins, Jude is shocked. He confides in Noah that he likes Charlotte but doesn’t love her. Charlotte is prepared to raise the babies alone until Jude tells her he is committed to her. Charlotte miscarries and the couple hold a memorial service with their friends present.
Jude's world is then rocked when Shauna returns to the Bay to help care for Alf, who has recently suffered a heart attack. Jude still realises he has feelings for Shauna and she is still in love with him. Jude breaks the news to Charlotte and an angry Noah and he leaves with Shauna to go to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
.
When Charlotte nearly drowns several months later, she sees a vision of Jude under and begins asking for him while in hospital. Josh West
Josh West (Home and Away)
Joshua "Josh" West is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Daniel Collopy. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 21 November 2001. The character departed in 2003, but made several reappearances later that year...
(Daniel Collopy
Daniel Collopy
Daniel Collopy is an Australian actor. His first television role was the character of Sean Edwards in the long-running Australian soap Neighbours. Following this Collopy was offered a regular role in another long-running Australian soap Home and Away where he played Josh West from 2001 until 2003...
), who rescued Charlotte, arranges for a helicopter to fly Jude to the bay. Jude notices Charlotte is suffering from delusions, believing the they are still a couple and the twins are still alive. Jude goes along with this and remains at Charlotte's side, shortly before she dies of complications following her accident.
Jude learns that Charlotte has not changed her will following their split and inherits her entire estate including a large sum that one of her patients left her. With Alf’s help, Jude uses the funds to finance an orphanage in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, where Charlotte had planned to go to work before she died. Jude then leaves to return to Shauna in Melbourne.
Reception
For his portrayal of Jude, Steel was nominated for the "Best New Male Talent" and "Most Popular Actor" Logie AwardLogie Award
The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. Renamed by Graham Kennedy in 1960 after he won the first 'Star Of The Year' award, the name 'Logie' awards honours John Logie Baird, a Scotsman who invented the television as a...
s in 2001 and 2002, respectively.