Jett James

Jett Palmer (also James) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Will McDonald. The actor received a request through his agent to audition for the role of Jett. After two weeks, he was shocked to learn that he had won the part. Home and Away marks McDonald's first television role. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 7 May 2012. In May 2015, it was announced that McDonald was to leave Home and Away after three years and Jett departed on 1 July 2015. He later returned for a guest appearance in November 2015.

Jett was introduced as a rebellious teenager, who had plenty of attitude, but needed someone to trust him. He was forced to fend for himself at a young age because his mother was a drug addict, who often moved them from place to place. Following his mother's death, Jett was fostered by Gina (Sonia Todd) and John Palmer (Shane Withington). Todd thought that Jett was "a much-needed light" when the Palmer's relationship began to suffer. In February 2013, Jett developed a crush on Indigo Walker (Samara Weaving), which spiralled out of control when her husband was injured. McDonald earned a nomination for the Most Popular New Male Talent Logie Award for his portrayal of Jett.

Casting
The character and McDonald's casting was announced in late April 2012.[1] McDonald had learned from his agent that there was request for him to audition for Home and Away. Two weeks after auditioning, he was informed that he had won the part of Jett.[2] McDonald told Andrew Mercado from TV Week that he was "stunned" to get the role of Jett and later stated "When I got the part, Mum and Dad called me downstairs and Dad told me the role was mine. I was speechless. I thought this had to be a dream; I was so excited I could not stop jumping around."[1][3] Jett is McDonald's first television role and he revealed that his first day on the set was "so surreal" and nerve-wracking.[3][4] McDonald explained that it was hard to keep up with his school work during the week, so he has to catch up at the weekends.[4] McDonald made his debut screen appearance as Jett during Episode 5512, which was broadcast on 7 May 2012.[3]

Characterisation
Jett was introduced to Home and Away as a rebellious 13-year-old boy.[5] A Channel 5 writer described him as "a delinquent with a lack of respect for authority and a knack for causing trouble", adding that he would fit in with Summer Bay's reputation for being "a playground to wayward teens".[3] McDonald said that Jett would get on some of the other character's bad sides, especially VJ Patterson's (Felix Dean), while he would also make an enemy of Gina Austin (Sonia Todd), the principal of Summer Bay High.[1] A writer from the official Home and Away website called Jett "a smart kid with plenty of attitude".[6] He learnt to fend for himself because his mother, Liz (Sophie Gregg), was a drug addict, who often moved from place to place when she suffered a relapse. With no father around, Jett stole food and money to help himself and his mother.[6] The website writer added that Jett is "a good kid" at heart, who loves his mother and just needs someone to trust him.[6] McDonald told Andrea Black, editor of the Home & Away Collector's Edition 2012 magazine, that Jett was a regular teenager, who just wanted to fit in. He has had a lot of independence in his life due to his mother's situation.[4] When asked what the most challenging aspects of playing Jett were, McDonald said "I've led an opposite life to Jett - he had this horrible upbringing, so I've had to put myself in that place as to what I would do if I had to survive on my own and provide for a family."[4]

Family
After his mother died, Jett was fostered by Gina and her husband, John (Shane Withington).[7] When Jett's biological father, Richard Bozic (Radek Jonak), turns up, Jett suddenly decides to move away with him, which leaves "a gaping hole" in Gina and John's life.[7] Gina attempts to win Jett back, causing a strain on her marriage, but it pays off when Jett returns home.[7] Todd stated that Jett's arrival in Gina and John's life came at the right time, calling him "a much-needed light" when their relationship began to suffer.[8] The Palmers later announce their intention to adopt Jett and Todd said "John and Gina love Jett – they feel they can give him the love and parenting that he deserves. Gina has a strong maternal streak."[8] When the adoption is approved, the family decide to go on holiday, but during the journey Gina collapses at the wheel of the car. Both John and Jett are scared by what has happened and are unsure about what to do.[8] Jett is both shocked and confused by Gina's collapse, fearing that he is going to lose another mother.[8] Gina dies from an aneurysm and McDonald said that her death would have a big impact on Jett.[2] He explained "Jett's just had a horrible roller-coaster ride and things aren't getting better for him. There's more heartbreak ahead. It's going to get harder. I can say that although Gina's passing is a horrible experience, it does bring Jett and John closer."[2] He added that the two characters would form a strong father-son bond.[2] Jett developed a crush on Indigo Walker played by Samara Weaving (pictured).

Crush on Indi Walker
On 3 February 2013, Susan Hill from Daily Star reported Jett would develop "a dangerous crush" on Indi Walker (Samara Weaving).[9] Weaving explained that Jett tries to impress Indi, but the situation would get out of control when Indi's husband, Romeo (Luke Mitchell) is injured.[9] The actress told a TV Week columnist that Indi is not aware of Jett's infatuation with her at first.[10] She continued "He's trying to impress her by being a 'man', like Romeo. Indi's really nice to him – she helps him with his studies since he doesn't have many friends in the Bay, and she enjoys his company. It's harmless – until it goes a bit crazy."[10] Jett tricks John into taking Gina on a night out, so he can call Indi to babysit. However, his plan is almost derailed when John asks Romeo to visit Jett and talk to him about growing up.[11] In order to spend time with Indi alone, Jett takes Romeo's wallet and throws it in a shed, before locking Romeo inside.[11] Weaving believed that Jett was not thinking of the repercussions because of his young age.[10] Jett's plan amounts to nothing when John and Gina insist that he spends the night at the Walker family's home instead.[10] When Indi begins to worry about Romeo's whereabouts, Jett uses Romeo's phone to send her a text saying he is in the pub.[11] Meanwhile, Romeo attempts to escape the shed, but falls and knocks himself unconscious.[10] An All About Soap reporter noted that Indi soon realises what has been occurring and tells Jett that nothing can happen between them.[11] Weaving quipped that Jett would not be able to lie his way out of what has happened.[10] When Romeo is found, he, John and Gina turn up at the Walker's and Jett is forced to apologise for his actions.[11]

Boating accident
In one storyline Jett nearly drowns in a boating accident. His predicament begins when Jett takes a trip on his boat which is not seaworthy. John and Marilyn (Emily Symons) decide to get married and they try to find Jett and get his blessing. But they are alarmed when they cannot find him. Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) alerts John that Jett must have headed into the sea in the boat.[12] The pair begin a frantic search to find Jett while Marilyn stays on land to keep a look-out. Jett's boat sinks and he is forced to try and swim back to the shore. Marilyn notices Jett having trouble swimming back and realises she cannot reach him in time. She alerts Darryl Braxton (Steve Peacocke) who decides to risk his life to save Jett and jumps in the water. Peacocke told Rebecca Lake of TV Week that it was a "being in the right place at the right time" scenario as Brax rushes to save Jett's life. But he warned that Brax begins to run out of energy the closer he gets to Jett and more drama ensues. He does manage to save Jett and Peacocke added that the scenes resembled US television series Baywatch.[12]

Departure
In May 2015, it was announced that McDonald would be leaving Home and Away.[13] Jett's exit storyline would see him leave the Bay to attend military school.[13] Both John and Marilyn are unhappy that he is joining the armed forces, especially John who is losing his best friend.[14] Jett is disappointed when he realises that no one is making a fuss about his departure. When he learns that there will not be a party, he is "deflated".[14] However, the Bay residents have secretly planned a farewell party at the Diner for him.[14] Jett departed on 1 July 2015.[15] He later returned for a guest appearance from 19 November 2015.[16]

Storylines
While at the beach, Jett steals a tourist's wallet. John Palmer tries to catch him, but Jett outruns him. Jett later steals VJ Patterson's shirt and hits him. When he starts attending Summer Bay High, principal Gina Austin punishes him for bullying. Jett asks Heath Braxton (Dan Ewing) for some drugs and steals money from Colleen Smart (Lyn Collingwood). Jett is questioned by the police and Gina tries to get him to open up to her. Jett steals Indigo Walker's (Samara Weaving) wallet, but she decides not to press charges. Gina tries to visit Jett and his mother at home, but Jett refuses to let her in. When Marilyn Chambers is mugged, Gina's son Xavier (David Jones-Roberts), is convinced Jett did it. Jett later admits that Xavier is right. Gina tries to see Jett's mother, but he claims that she is in the hospital. Gina then invites him to stay with her family and makes him to apologise to Marilyn. Gina later takes Jett's house keys and discovers his mother has died. Jett had been keeping her death a secret and he is sent to live with a foster family. When he runs away, Gina takes him in. After his mother's funeral, Jett acts out and pushes Gina. He runs away, but returns to apologise. Jett is bullied by Jayden Post (Christian Antidormi) and during a fight with him, Jett drops a photo of his mother with a man, who he believes is his father. Xavier learns that the man is Richard Bozic (Radek Jonak) and Gina goes to speak with him, only to learn that Richard does not want to meet Jett. Angered at Richard's rejection, Jett smashes Richard's garden up. Richard then meets with Jett. Gina and John decide to foster Jett on a permanent basis, but Richard decides that he wants his son to live with him. Jett leaves with Richard, but returns weeks later. Jett bonds with VJ and they train for the surf carnival. When he learns John kissed Marilyn, Jett calls Marilyn a marriage wrecker. When VJ and his mother suddenly leave town, Jamie Sharpe (Hugo Johnstone-Burt) questions Jett about where they have gone. Jamie steals Jett's phone and John advises Jett to stay away from him. Indi reassures Jett that VJ will return and Jett develops a crush on her.

Indi babysits Jett, which delights him, until her husband, Romeo, turn up. Jett rubs lipstick on Romeo's shirt collar, hoping to cause trouble, but Romeo quickly realises what he has done. Jett tricks John and Gina into going out for the night and asks Indi to babysit. He then steals Romeo's wallet and locks him in a shed. Jett's plan to be alone with Indi is ruined when he has to go to the Walker's. Jett sends Indi a text from Romeo's phone, telling her that Romeo is in the pub, which makes her suspicious. Shortly afterwards, Gina, John and Romeo arrive to confront Jett. Realising that Romeo was injured, he apologises. Tilda Hogan (Gigi Perry) begins bullying Jett. She hits him and forces him to complete assignments for her. Jett gets his own back by writing an essay for her, in which she admits to bullying Jett because she has a crush on him. Gina and John decide to adopt Jett. Richard flies in and tells them that he does not want to give up on his son. This angers Jett and he accuses Richard of not wanting anyone else to have him. Richard relents and a court date is set to make the adoption official. To celebrate, they family decide to go on holiday afterwards. During the trip, Gina suddenly stops the car, falls unconscious and dies, leaving Jett and John devastated. Jett begins dating Nina Bailey (Emmy Dougall), a girl he met at the school disco. Jett is happy when VJ returns and they begin catching up. Jett introduces VJ to Nina, but they reveal that they hate each other as VJ believes Nina stole a Pokémon card he owned in primary school. When VJ asks Jett to choose between him and Nina, Jett chooses Nina.

In 2014, Jett found out that John and Marilyn are engaged and he became John's bestman. He meet John's daughter, Shandi, who tries to get rid of Marilyn. But Jett tells her to stop. At the wedding, Jett says his bestman' speech and asked John and Marilyn to adopt him, which they said yes. Jett called John his dad, but struggles to see Marilyn as his mum. A year later, Jett went to the ANZAC excursion and slept at the old trench next to VJ. Jett searched for Alf, who was ill and effected by the memories he had at the Vietnam War. Jett was the one to carry the stretcher.

Jett meets Alf at the hospital in the city and meet Alf's new friend, Tom Knight. Jett attend to the ANZAC Memorial and he told John and Marilyn that he wants to join the army. But John and Marilyn doesn't agree, which Jett changed his mind. Jett was told that he is sent to military school and the Summer Bay residents gave him a farewell party. Jett gave John a new apron and Marilyn a new bag as their last gifts from him. Jett calls Marilyn 'Mum' for the first time and says goodbye to his adopted parents. Jett leaves Summer Bay. A few months later, Jett returns to the Bay to see John while Marilyn is away. Jett told John that he and Nina broke up and he has a new girlfriend. Jett invited his new girlfriend, Skye Peters (Marlo Kelly) to the Bay to meet John. Jett and Skye told John that Skye ran away from her mother after her mum blamed her for the death of her other daughter and Skye's sister, Lisa. Jett returns to military school and has a long-distance relationship with Skye. But eventually, Jett and Skye broke up and when John called Jett about Skye, Jett told John that he broke up with Skye a few days ago.