Home and Away star Sophea Pennington is turning heads for her edgy role of Lacey Miller on the critically acclaimed soap. Before joining the Bay, she was just a shy little girl using acting classes to overcome her stage fright. Currently, her character is in the middle of some sneaky and lethal storyline, and Australian fans are hooked big time. But do you know Pennington has a Kiwi connection?
Home and Away: What Is Sophea’s Link to NZ?
The Home and Away actress has always dreamed of playing a “wild child,” and she finally got it with Lacey. Her character falls for Theo, who joins the River Boys’ shady street racing scene. However, their sneaky affair comes with a serious risk because Lacey is already in a relationship with the gang’s ringleader, Gage Reynolds.
Off-screen, Sophea had her whole family doing happy dances when she landed a role on the Aussie show. “They were absolutely thrilled. My mum cried. My dad and my sister were just so excited,” she reveals. But what’s her Kiwi link? Both Pennington’s parents are New Zealanders with her mum being from Wellington and dad from Auckland.
Additionally, the actress was born and raised in Sydney but takes pride in her Kiwi roots. “I love New Zealand so much, so much. It’s like a home for me as well,” she says. Back to the show, Sophea thinks Lacey is in a rebellious stage due to family problems. “She’s very feisty, and she’s very strong, and she has a lot of edge,” she adds.
Sophea and Matt’s Love Blossomed on Set
Playing such a character is challenging for her because the character doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind. Furthermore, Lacey ends up in a toxic relationship with Rage because she feels homely, but that changes when she meets Theo. “She’s definitely playing with fire at the start, and they kind of form this bit of an illicit, dangerous sort of relationship,” Pennington explains.
Interestingly, Sophea’s on-screen chemistry with Matt Evans translates into real life. “Yes, we are dating in real life. He really is the best. And also, it works, you know, I guess chemistry’s chemistry,” she gushes. The H&A diva believes their bond creates a “safe space” for their characters to follow the storyline smoothly.
Meanwhile, Pennington was cast in The Deb in 2024, a musical comedy directed by Rebel Wilson herself. “That was such an incredible experience and one I’ll remember forever,” Sophea shared. The big musical project involved a lot of dancing and singing, but the highlight of her experience was working closely with Rebel. Don’t miss out on more tea on Home and Away celebs at Soap Opera Daily. What do you think about Lacey and Theo’s chemistry on H&A?
