Home and Away is an Australian soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. The 3rd season of Home and Away began airing from 8 January 1990. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in 1990, by order of first appearance. They were all introduced by the show's executive producer Des Monaghan. In January, Rebekah Elmaloglou began appearing as Sophie Simpson. The following month Craig McLachlan and Julian McMahon took on the respective roles of school teacher Grant Mitchell and soldier Ben Lucini. March saw the introduction of Jaiman Paget Bayly as recurring character Murray "Mullet" Jensen. Beach House landlord Ernie Jacobs (David Weatherley) made his debut in April, while Craig Black began his second role in the serial as student Paul Jensen in May. Josephine Mitchell joined the cast as policewoman Jane Holland. Les Hill and Belinda Jarrett joined the show in July as the Dean siblings, Blake and Karen. Kate Raison arrived in September playing the role of Jennifer Atkinson, a love interest for Steven Matheson (Adam Willits). October saw the arrival of divorcé Michael Ross, played by Dennis Coard, later to become Debra Lawrance's real-life husband. The following week, he was joined by his teenage son Haydn, played by Andrew Hill. In November, Rachael Beck joined the cast as guest character Kim, the sister of established character, Grant.
Sophie Simpson
Sophie Simpson, played by Rebekah Elmaloglou, debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 23 January 1990 and appeared until 1993. Elmaloglou once took a break from filming due to exhaustion, and quit the serial to pursue other projects as her work load took a negative impact on her health. Elmaloglou made subsequent guest appearances as Sophie in 2002, 2003 and 2005.
Grant Mitchell
Grant Mitchell, played by Craig McLachlan, debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 9 February 1990. McLachlan departed the series that year, though filmed additional appearances which were not aired until the following year. Grant last appeared on 20 September 1991. McLachlan described Grant as being "pretty trendy for a teacher". Grant is "loved" by students because he chooses to rebel against the establishment. However, Grant loves teaching and his pupils. For his portrayal of Grant, MacLachan won the "Most Popular Actor" award at the 1991 Logie Awards.
Ben Lucini
Benito "Ben" Lucini, played by Julian McMahon, debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 27 February 1990 and remained until 1 May 1991. McMahon had to audition four times, before the producers agreed that he was right for the role of Ben. Ben was described as being "relaxed" and "easy-going" for a twenty-one-year-old male. Ben is an Italian character and comes from a large family. Ben used to have a liking for partying and booze, but as he grew older he matured and changed his outlook in life. Ben is a soldier, he soon falls in love with the town and established character Carly Morris (Sharyn Hodgson) and leaves the army. Hodgson described Ben as having "traditional values" and "stability". Carly admires these traits and feels ready to settle down with him. Ben and Carly marry and Hodgson predicted that their marriage would be successful because they "really do want what is best for each other". McMahon quit Home and Away the same year that his character arrived. Peter Holmes of The Sydney Morning Herald was critical of McMahon's acting in the role, calling him "wooden" and saying he did "a splendid impression of a Thunderbird".
Mullet
Murray "Mullet" Jensen, played by Jaiman Paget Bayly, first appeared on 26 March 1990 and departed on 18 July 1990. In their book Home and Away Annual, Kesta Desmond and David Nicholls describe Mullet as an "energetic and boisterous eleven-year-old". He is an "average country kid" with an "adventurous and cheeky" side to his persona. His real name is Murray, but due to his extreme liking for fishing, he adopts the nickname "Mullet". Mullet is also an outsider and "contents himself" with life's simple pleasures. He is the type of child that is easily entertained, more so with a fishing rod. Mullet's family live below the poverty line. His mother, Lorraine Jensen (Elizabeth Chance), has been unable to provide Mullet and his older brother, Paul Jensen (Craig Black), with the luxuries other children get. Mullet does not have pocket money, so he decides to sell his fish to Ailsa Stewart (Judy Nunn).