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Rachel Armstrong Biography & Facts

Rachel Marie Holden (also Armstrong and Hyde) is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Amy Mathews. Rachel debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 16 January 2006. In 2010 Mathews quit the serial to pursue other projects and her on-screen husband Tony Holden was also written out. Rachel has been described as "work driven and professional" and a "sharp mind". Her storylines include a failed marriage to Kim Hyde, her marriage to Tony and suffering post-natal depression. Rachel went on a downward spiral following the death of her mother and a helicopter crash which she blamed herself for. Rachel committed crimes such as assault, drink driving and taking pills and alcohol. Rachel has also been kidnapped a total of four times throughout her duration. Casting Mathews joined Home and Away in 2006, Rachel was introduced as an old friend of Leah Patterson-Baker (Ada Nicodemou).In 2010 Mathews quit the serial to pursue other projects and it was revealed that producers had decided to write out Jon Sivewright who plays on-screen husband Tony Holden. Commenting on their exits a spokesperson for the serial stated: "Amy Mathews is definitely going in a few months' time. Then, with Amy's character Rachel out of the picture, it was decided Tony should go with her, so Jon Sivewright is leaving too." Fellow cast member Rebecca Breeds who plays Ruby Buckton in the serial spoke out about their departures stating: "In terms of character, to see Tony and Rachel go is kind of upsetting because they fill a really important demographic – that middle-aged, new family thing and there's nothing like that on the show now so they're a loss." Character development Characterisation The serial's official website describe Rachel stating: "She has great instincts for people and has a sharp mind; she’s fiercely independent and has great strength of character." Of Rachel's persona, Mathews states: "Rachel is outgoing and fun with a sharp mind and good instincts for people. She has incredible strength and is fiercely independent. She has strong values and definite ideas about right and wrong but she is also a romantic at heart." Mathews has stated the likeness of herself and Rachel stating: "I wish I was more like my character- she's so together! As far as personality goes, she's really driven, and she's professional. [...] Rachel's a really bad cook, and I'm a good cook." Storyline development In her later years Rachel embarked on an unexpected relationship with Tony, of this Mathews states: "It's a surprise love interest, someone who is not Rachel's type which is great because I think we should all try expanding our narrow type registers, thankfully, Jon and I know each other quite well, so it's no big deal." Mathews also recalled Rachel's relationship with Kim Hyde (Chris Hemsworth) stating: "He was really great and we had a great time, it was terrific to have the longevity of the working relationship in a marriage with him. But I am looking forward to what happens with Tony or with someone else."Rachel becomes central to a main storyline in which a stalker begins attacking females working at the hospital. Rachel later discovers that Reverend John Hall (Paul Tassone) is responsible when he takes her hostage. Mathews said that Revered Hall grudge against people who he thinks have acted immoral. In Rachel's case Reverend Hall believes Rachel is a sinner because she had a miscarriage and wasn't married to the baby's father Lewis Rigg (Luke Carroll). Reverend Hall also thinks that Rachel should sacrifice her own life "in exchange for the baby's". Reverend Hall begins to convulse and Rachel is given a "lifeline". Rachel goes as far to call for help and in hospital he is diagnosed with a brain tumour. Rachel realises his condition has contributed to his behaviour. Mathews said Rachel is the only one who can understand Reverend Hall's behaviour, because she is a doctor. She true to Rachel's nature she even "goes as far to forgive him", but she is alone as the other locals persecute him and the church.A big storyline for Rachel was suffering post-natal depression following the birth of Harry. While Rachel is pregnant and does not take any maternity leave. One of her patients Jane Avent (Felicity Price) loses her baby while Rachel is on duty and subsequently files a lawsuit against Rachel. When Rachel gave birth to a son named Harry, Mathews told TV Week that Rachel would begin to behave differently. Rachel feels "completely overwhelmed" and it was something she could not prepare for. While Tony is okay as he previously had children. However Jane begins to harass Rachel, Mathews said that Jane does not think it is fair that Rachel gets to keep her baby. She also stated that everyone is unsure that Rachel should have remained in work while heavily pregnant. As the storyline progresses, Rachel becomes more "possessive and controlling" over Harry and "abuses" Tony for not keeping her informed about him. Rachel shows a "side" of herself that no one has ever seen before. The lawsuit makes Rachel's anxiety worse and Mathews opined that Rachel and Tony's relationship turned bad because "they couldn't be further apart" while she goes through post-natal depression. Mathews stated "For Rachel to be cranky and sad for so long was really hard. I felt bad for Rachel and for the viewers constantly seeing me wailing!" Storylines Rachel is a doctor who is introduced as an old school friend of Leah. She has a brother, Brad (Chris Sadrinna), and half-sister, Tamsyn (Gabrielle Scollay). Before starting her first shift Rachel finds Kim Hyde unconscious and saves him. Rachel is assigned as Kim's psych registrar and she begins to feel attracted to him. She suggests he see someone else, but Kim decides to stay because he feels attracted to her. Rachel is sexually harassed by Doctor Brian Helpman (John Noble). Rachel turns to Kim for comfort and they begin a relationship. Helpman threatens to report Rachel for her affair with Kim if she doesn't sleep with him so she reports him and comes clean about her relationship. Rachel is struck off the psych registry, but is later given a new job in the Accident and Emergency department. Rachel is annoyed when her father, Robert (John Gregg) briefly works at the hospital. Kim's new friend Charlie McKinnon (Matt Levett) begins spending a plenty of time with them. Charlie soon becomes infatuated with Kim and starts dressing up like him and becoming possessive. Charlie later takes Rachel kidnaps Rachel. Rachel hits Charlie with a pipe causing him to seizure, she decides to save his life. She blames herself for not noticing his issues sooner. At Martha MacKenzie (Jodi Gordon) and Jack Holden's (Paul O'Brien) wedding reception Eve Jacobsen (Emily Perry) causes a massive explosion at the venue. Rachel's mother Elaine (Julie Hudspeth) dies in the explosion, leaving Rachel confused in her grief, however she carried on helping the injur.... Discover the Rachel Armstrong popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Rachel Armstrong books.