Sophea Pennington says it’s always been a dream of hers to play “a wild child”, and now she has the chance as Lacey Miller, a young woman set to rev up the drama in Summer Bay.

When Theo (Matt Evans) becomes involved with the River Boys’ illegal street racing operation, he is also drawn into the orbit of Lacey, who is connected to Home and Away’s resident gang. Their instant attraction spells danger for the pair, after it is revealed that Lacey is dating Gage Reynolds (Tom Wilson), one of the River Boys’ ringleaders.

Pennington says Lacey is not a bad person, but has instead fallen in with the wrong crowd.

“She’s going through a journey in her life. She’s very feisty and she’s very strong, and she has a lot of edge, and she kind of enters the Bay in quite a rebellious stage in her life, due to family problems.

“You have no idea what she’s going to do next, or what she’s going to say. I think stepping into her boots was a bit of a challenge in that way, to kind of tap into that side of myself, where she’s not afraid to say anything.”

Pennington believes Lacey is with Gage because “she wants to feel like she’s in a place where she belongs”.

“I think she does care about him, but they’re in – I would say – quite a toxic relationship, and it’s definitely not somewhere she should be, but she doesn’t know any better at the moment.”

When Lacey meets Theo, sparks immediately fly.

“I think she’s definitely playing with fire at the start and they kind of form this bit of an illicit, dangerous sort of relationship, it’s a flirtatious game that’s going back and forth, and it kind of goes from there, and it is very naughty,” she laughs.

Pennington says she didn’t know Evans before she started on the show and they first met at the chemistry read, which is how casting directors determine whether two actors will mesh together.

“He’s such a lovely, lovely guy and a great person to work with, extremely talented. So I couldn’t have asked for a better co-star.”

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And that incredible chemistry has spilled over into real life, with Pennington confirming rumours that the pair are a couple off-screen too.

“Yes, we are dating in real life. He really is the best. And also, it works, you know, I guess chemistry’s chemistry,” she laughs.

“I think, if anything, it creates such a safe space for us – because we’re so comfortable with each other – to be able to really dive deep into the story and the relationship between the two characters.”

Pennington, who started taking drama classes as a child as a way to help overcome chronic stage fright, got a chance to flex her performing muscles when she appeared in the 2024 musical movie The Deb, directed by Rebel Wilson.

“That was such an incredible experience and definitely one I’ll remember forever. It was a huge musical theatre film, so lots of dancing and singing, and even just to get to work closely with Rebel Wilson and be on a set… I’ll always cherish that experience.”