LEETON actor Jake Speer has had his character leave popular Australian television drama Home and Away in dramatic fashion.
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Mr Speer has played the role of Oscar on the program since April 2013.
Last week that all came to an end when Oscar was killed following an explosion that resulted in the death of another character and several others being injured.
“I shot my final scene in November last year,” Mr Speer said.
“We shoot about five months in advance, so it's been a challenge keeping all these secrets for so long.
“I think it was about a month before my final script came out that I found out that we would have to say goodbye to Oscar. That's one thing Home and Away is renowned for is that it moves very fast.”
After almost three years on the program, Mr Speer said it had allowed him to gain many skills and experiences.
He said the people he met along the way only helped to add to his time on the show.
“My time on Home and Away really allowed me to not only consolidate the things I learned at NIDA, but it also gave me the opportunity to further explore and grow as an actor,” Mr Speer said.
“Working in a fast-paced environment, with a talented ensemble and challenging story lines really pushed me creatively and technically. Spending three years as the one character has been a very unique experience and you get to know that character very intimately.
“He feels like a part of me. It was difficult to say goodbye to him. I also just really loved being around everyone on that show.”
Mr Speer has now turned his attention to a number of different projects, including being an ambassador for Live Below The Line. The organisation is Australia's largest youth-ran, anti-poverty initiative that raises money with an aim of abolishing poverty in the Asia-Pacific region.
He spent last week living below the poverty line as part of his role. This week Mr Speer will be attending an event that will announce the finalists for the Heath Ledger Scholarship.
“This is my first year applying, so it's a very exciting time and the scholarship would be an incredible opportunity to further develop the relationships I'm currently building in America,” he said.
Mr Speer has also landed the lead role of Paul in the Ensemble Theatre's production of Neil Simon's Barefoot In The Park, opposite Georgie Parker in August. Mr Speer will return to Leeton later this year for an event at the Roxy Theatre.
