Whatever happened to the cast of Echo Point? Where the stars of the ill-fated Australian TV drama are now...
from Hollywood successes to politics READ MORE: What happened to the Love My Way stars By Jimmy Briggs For Daily Mail Australia Published: 18:25 EDT, 24 August 2024 | Updated: 18:29 EDT, 24 August 2024 e-mail View comments Almost thirty years have passed since Channel Ten premiered the short-lived Australian soap opera Echo Point. The upbeat series followed the lives and loves of fictional teenagers in coastal NSW , but was unfortunately axed in December 1995 after just six months on screen. Echo Point was written by Neighbours and Home and Away veteran screenwriter Jason Herbison, and it was hoped the show would become as iconic as the globally famous soaps.
Although the series originally struggled to attract viewers and was cancelled due to low ratings, it is fondly remembered and helped launch the career of several world-famous Australian and New Zealand actors. Several of its stars have gone on to have huge careers in Hollywood, others stayed in the country and one cast member even took a surprise career change into politics. Almost thirty years have passed since Channel Ten premiered the short-lived soap opera Echo Point - but where are the cast now? (Pictured: Actors Jessica Napier and Martin Henderson) Rose Byrne Arguably the most famous of the cast, Sydney-born actress Rose, 45, got her start in showbiz by playing lead character Belinda O'Connor on Echo Point.
After gaining recognition on the show, she went on to nab a role alongside Heath Ledger in 1999 Aussie thriller Two Hands. She starred in other huge Aussie series including the original Heartbreak High, before making the big move to America to further her career. Since becoming a huge Hollywood name, she has notably appeared in many blockbusters, including Star Wars : Episode II – Attack of the Clones, X-Men: First Class and Bad Neighbours.
More recently, she has taken on roles in Apple TV+ series Platonic, horror film Insidious: The Red Door and 2023 movie Ezra. She has also shown her support for hugely successful Aussie kids' animation show Bluey, voicing the character of Brandy in two episodes. Rose now lives in Brooklyn with her longtime partner Bobby Cannavale and their two sons, Rocco, eight, and Rafael, six.
Arguably the most famous of the cast, Sydney-born actress Rose Byrne, 45, got her start in showbiz by playing lead character Belinda O'Connor on Echo Point After moving stateside, Rose has become a much-sought after name in Hollywood, while she is also married to actor Bobby Cannavale (both pictured in 2019) In 2021, she gave an insight into motherhood as she said it was the 'greatest thing' that had happened to her and told how it changed her career ambitions. 'Motherhood is such a profound change — from the physical experience of it to raising the kids, it's so different for everybody, and I think it's really hard for women to talk about it,' she told Shape magazine in 2021. 'There's so much expectation and shame around it; it's very complicated, but it's also the greatest thing that's ever happened to me.
'It did change my career ambition, it streamlined things in a clear way, but there's the struggle of trying to prioritize both: Am I doing enough at home at the moment? 'Am I staying fulfilled at work? The balance of work and home life is such a personal experience. I don't judge anyone.' Martin Henderson The New Zealand-born actor, 49, also got his big start in the industry by appearing on Echo Point in the supporting role of Zac Brennan.
After his TV success, Martin went on to secure his big movie break in the acclaimed 1999 Australian movie Kick, and also starred alongside the late Heath Ledger in the TV series Sweat. He also appeared in Aussie soap opera Home And Away before he too moved to America to advance his career. He appeared in the popular US soap opera Grey's Anatomy as Dr.
Nathan Riggs from 2015 until 2017 and also starred as another medic, Dr. Ben Keeton, in Off the Map. Martin is still working as an actor today and currently stars in the Netflix drama series Virgin River as Jack Sheridan alongside Alexandra Breckenridge.
However, it hasn't been without its challenges as he previously revealed the one thing he is yet to master in his career. 'I can work really hard and get them [accents] done well..
. but I've been completely obsessed with that for the last 15 years,' he told The Daily Telegraph in 2018. 'If anything, my accent is pretty diluted from doing that so long.
I'd say 90 per cent or more of the work I have done has been American parts so I had to work so hard on that.' Martin Henderson, 49, also got his big start in the industry by appearing on Echo Point in the supporting role of Zac Brennan Martin is still working as an actor today and currently stars in the Netflix drama series Virgin River as Jack Sheridan Louise Crawford The Queensland-born actress got her first taste of fame in the show in the supporting role of Shelley Radcliffe. She went on to appear in several popular Australian shows and movies throughout the late 90s and early 2000s, including Neighbours, City Homicide and Offspring.
However, she later made a move away from the spotlight and decided to pursue a vey different career. Louise discovered her passion for politics and she currently serves as a councillor for the City of Port Phillip in Melbourne. Louise, who is a member of the Labor party, previously served as the mayor of the area while she had an unsuccessful run for the Australian Senate in 2019.
She continued to rack up minor film roles as recently as 2017, but has shifted her focus towards politics in more recent years. Louise Crawford (left) got her first taste of fame in the show, in the supporting role of Shelley Radcliffe. Crawford later discovered her real passion was politics and is currently a councillor - and former mayor - of the City of Port Phillip in Melbourne However, Louise later made a move away from the spotlight and decided to pursue a vey different career.
Louise discovered her passion for politics and she currently serves as a councillor for the City of Port Phillip in Melbourne Jessica Napier The New Zealand-born blonde star is the daughter of late Australian character actor Marshall Napier, who died in 2022. She has worked consistently in supporting and small roles in TV shows and movies since Echo Point ended. Jessica most famously starred alongside her late father Marshall in McLeod's Daughters, which ran from 2001 until 2009.
She also notably starred opposite Nicolas Cage in Ghost Rider and she has also taken on roles in Stingers, Water Rats and McLeod's Daughters. Still working as an actress, Jessica most recently starred as Tania Towers in hit drama C*A*U*G*H*T, and also appeared in thriller Transfusion last year. Jessica is a passionate animal rights activist and along with her father Marshall, won $64,000 for a South Australian Animal Rights Group in 2002 on a celebrity edition of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?.
Marshall sadly passed away in August 2022 after a battle with brain cancer, with Jessica previously saying he spent the last weeks of his life with his loved ones. 'The silver lining is that he was so filled with love at the end,' the actress said at the time. 'We felt that, and he felt loved like never before.
We were his care team, sleeping vigil by his bed at the hospice, so it was a beautiful and profound time for all the family.' Jessica Napier (left) is the daughter of late Australian character actor Marshall Napier. She has worked consistently in supporting and small roles in TV shows and movies since EP ended Jessica is the daughter of late Australian character actor Marshall Napier, who died in 2022.
They famously starred in McLeod's Daughters together Ryan Kwanten Sydney-born Hollywood star Ryan, 47, guest starred in five episodes of the show when he was 18 years old before rising to fame on Home and Away. His electrifying charisma and fit physique later helped him break into Hollywood, playing a supporting role on the US vampire drama True Blood from 2008 until 2014. The veteran performer currently alternates between Australia and the US, and has also appeared in the popular productions Blinky Bill: The Movie and Creepshow.
He has maintained more of a low profile ever since stepping back from his role as heartthrob sheriff deputy Jason Stackhouse in True Blood. In recent days, Ryan made a huge $400,000 profit from selling his Northern Beaches investment property after 25 years of ownership. The TV star snapped up the home in 1999 when he was starring as lifeguard Vinnie Patterson on Home & Away.
He purchased the 28-square-metre studio apartment for a modest $162,000, just two years after his debut on the soap. Ryan still owns a stunning two-bedroom $1million apartment in Balgowlah. Sydney-born Hollywood star Ryan, 47, guest starred in five episodes of the show when he was 18 years old before rising to fame on Home and Away (pictured on True Blood in 2008) His electrifying charisma and fit physique later helped him break into Hollywood, playing a supporting role on the US vampire drama True Blood from 2008 until 2014 John Clayton On Echo Point, John was the teenagers' father figure on the show, playing the senior Maurie Barnard.
He developed a reputation as one of Australia's hardest working character actors, and appeared in many local productions. John took on high-profile roles in Aussie classics including Blue Heelers, Heartbreak High and A Country Practice. Sadly, the famous soap opera star died from cancer in 2003 at the age of 63.
On Echo Point, John Clayton (top row, centre) was the teenagers' father figure on the show, playing the senior Maurie Barnard New South Wales Soaps Home and Away Rose Byrne Share or comment on this article: Whatever happened to the cast of Echo Point? Where the stars of the ill-fated Australian TV drama are now...
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