“He Called Me That?”: Home and Away Star’s Explosive Clash With Former Boss Reveals Deep Drama Behind the Scenes
Nicholas Cartwright lashes out in leaked DMs as controversy over the River Boys storyline exposes a deeper identity crisis at Summer Bay
A Private DM Turns Public Scandal: Nicholas Cartwright vs. Dan Bennett
In a confrontation that’s sending shockwaves through the soap world, Home and Away star Nicholas Cartwright—best known as brooding cop Cash Newman—has been accused of sending a vulgar private message to a former showrunner. The recipient? Dan Bennett, a key executive from the show’s 2016–2017 era, who publicly criticized the return of the River Boys crime arc.
Bennett revealed to Daily Mail Australia that all he did was respond “zzz” to one of Cartwright’s posts promoting the gritty new storyline. But that seemingly harmless message triggered a furious DM response from the actor, including the use of a highly offensive expletive.
“I’ve never even met him,” Bennett said. “I was shocked by how aggressively he responded to a simple opinion.”
The Battle for Home and Away’s Soul: Dark Storylines vs. Family Values
This social media clash highlights growing unrest among Home and Away veterans and fans over the show’s evolving identity. Many have voiced concern that the series—once celebrated for its heartfelt family dynamics and themes of community support—has veered too far into “sex, drugs and firearms” territory.
Ray Meagher, who has portrayed Alf Stewart since 1988 and holds the Guinness World Record for Australia’s longest-running soap actor, has echoed these concerns for years. In a past anniversary special, he criticized the heavy focus on violent crime and limited screen time for legacy characters.
“You can’t have guns to heads and drug deals be the basis of a show like this,” Meagher warned.
A Soap Torn in Two: Nostalgia vs. New Ratings
Bennett, who also helmed Neighbours, believes Home and Away lost its way when it abandoned its core mission: foster care, intergenerational wisdom, and heartfelt growth. During his tenure, he deliberately brought back Kate Ritchie to fulfill the nurturing role of a modern-day Pippa.
But times have changed—and so has audience demand. While current storylines may skew darker, the show is still pulling strong ratings, leaving many divided over whether to embrace the shift or call for a return to its roots.