Home and Away Stars Rally Behind Jessica Redmayne After Fans Confuse Her With Harper
Home and Away actress Jessica Redmayne has spoken out after being flooded with online messages from viewers confusing her with her on-screen alter ego, Harper Matheson. The star, who joined the long-running Australian soap in 2023, took to Instagram to remind fans that she’s “an actor, not Harper” after receiving angry DMs telling her to “stay away from Tane.”
Jessica Draws the Line Between Acting and Reality
Harper’s storyline has stirred up plenty of controversy among fans. In recent episodes, Harper discovered she was pregnant following a one-night stand with Tane Parata (Ethan Browne) — who remains unaware of the pregnancy while still grieving his ex-wife Felicity Newman (Jacqui Purvis).
While the plot has fueled debate among viewers loyal to Tane and Felicity’s love story, some fans took things too far, directing hostility toward Jessica herself.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Jessica addressed the backlash directly:
“Please don’t message me telling me to stay away from Tane or how much you hate Harper,” she wrote. “My name is Jess and I’m an actor. My job is acting, not writing. I shared that promo because I’m proud of my work.”
Fans and Co-Stars Defend Jess
After her message, Home and Away fans flooded social media with support for Jessica, condemning the online trolling and praising her professionalism.
In a popular Facebook fan group, one viewer wrote:
“If people are hating on Jessica, it means she’s done her job well playing Harper. She’s a great actress and I look forward to seeing her, Tane and the baby become a family — at least, I hope they do.”
Others were quick to call out the bullying:
“It’s acting, not real life. Online harassment is disgusting. Good on you, Jess, for standing up for yourself.”
Another added:
“She’s an actor doing her job. People need to learn there’s a difference between fiction and reality!”
Not the First Time She’s Had to Clarify
This isn’t the first time Jessica has had to step in to set the record straight. Earlier this year, when Home and Away revealed Harper’s pregnancy in a dramatic promo, she had to assure fans she wasn’t pregnant in real life.
“It’s been brought to my attention that people are wondering if Jessica is pregnant,” she said in an Instagram Story. “I’m an actor. I work on Home and Away and my character’s name is Harper — she is pregnant. My name’s Jess. I’m not pregnant.”
She even added a touch of humour, referencing Margot Robbie’s real-life baby news at the time:
“My name’s Jess, I’m not pregnant, and Margot Robbie is pregnant — that was the gag. Trying to be funny.”
A Reminder for Fans Everywhere
While Home and Away thrives on emotional storylines that spark strong reactions, Jessica’s experience highlights the darker side of fandom when fiction and reality collide.
Her message — echoed by castmates and fans alike — is clear: actors bring characters to life, but they shouldn’t have to defend themselves for doing their jobs well.
As Harper’s storyline continues to unfold, one thing’s for sure: Jessica Redmayne’s powerful performance has struck a chord — and the Home and Away family is standing firmly behind her.