April Scott is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Rhiannon Fish. The actress successfully auditioned for the role of April and she described the process as quick. Fish's role in the soap was announced in May 2010 and she made her first on screen appearance as April on 15 June 2010. In April 2013, it was announced that Fish had decided to leave Home and Away and April departed on 13 November 2013.
Before her arrival on screen, April was described as being "worldly, intelligent and quick witted" by a writer for The Daily Telegraph. April has travelled the world and has become independent and wise beyond her years because of it. She is passionate, has strong opinions and stands up for what she believes in. With her outgoing and thoughtful nature, April makes friends easily. She has a unique and quirky dress sense and likes to reinvent her outfits, not caring what other people think of her style. April has a fiery relationship with her half-sister, Bianca (Lisa Gormley). Fish said she enjoys playing April, especially as she has gone on quite a journey during her time on the show.
April's storylines initially focused on her relationship with Xavier Austin (David Jones-Roberts) and her views on environmental issues. April tried to get bottled water banned in Summer Bay with Xavier's help and she stole chemicals from the high school as a form of protest. When April doubts her abilities and begins to write her assignments over and over, she is diagnosed with OCD. Fish revealed this was one of her favourite storylines. April breaks up with Xavier and enters into a relationship with his best friend, Dexter Walker (Charles Cottier). A notable storyline for April saw her self-medicate in order to deal with the stress caused by her HSC exams. Following her break up with Dexter, April decides to lose her virginity and ends up having a one-night stand with Heath Braxton (Daniel Ewing).
Casting
On 23 May 2010, a reporter for The Daily Telegraph announced Fish had joined the cast of Home and Away as April Scott. Of the audition process, Fish told the official Home and Away website, "It all happened so quickly. Monday was my first audition, I got a call back on Friday and by the next Monday I was sitting in the Home and Away make-up chair." Fish was in an airport at the time she learned she had won the part of April. The actress admitted that she started "crying hysterically" upon hearing the news. Fish commented that she had watched Home and Away her whole life and was nervous about meeting the cast. She made her screen debut as April during the episode broadcast on 15 June 2010.
Development
Characterisation
Shortly before she arrived on screen, April was described as being "worldly, intelligent and quick witted." The Metro said April was "fun-loving" and Fish branded her character passionate and unique. The actress told the official Home and Away website that April does not care that she is different from other people. Fish added "She has strong opinions on everything from the environment to fashion and is not afraid to express those and be herself." April is fluent in several languages and has travelled the world, living in many foreign cities and cultures. Through her travels April became "independent and worldly wise beyond her years", she has a wealth of experiences that set her apart from those around her. With her open mindedness and outgoing nature, April makes friends easily. She is intelligent, thoughtful and caring. Channel 5 said April stands up for what she believes in and is committed to causes like saving the environment. Holy Soap said April "has a unique and quirky sense of style." April likes to wear clothes that have the "occasional nod to fashion", but she often reinvents an outfit to suit her style and does not care what others think of it.