A strong feeling of nostalgia fills the room as Bonnie Sveen sits down for another interview. While TV WEEK has spoken with the actress many times throughout her career, this conversation carries a special familiarity — almost like coming home.

After a decade away, Bonnie is stepping back into Home and Away as the fiercely devoted Ricky Sharpe, the role that launched her career between 2013 and 2016. The character earned her a passionate fanbase and the 2014 TV WEEK Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent. Reflecting on her return, the 36-year-old smiles and admits it feels surreal, as though time has folded in on itself — both unchanged and completely different.

Since her days in Summer Bay, Bonnie’s life has evolved dramatically. From acting roles in The Secret Daughter, Rosehaven, and Thou Shalt Not Steal to her advocacy work, she has kept busy. In 2018, she also embraced motherhood, welcoming identical twin daughters, Myrtle Mae and Emerald Lois, with her husband Nathan Gooley. Returning to the show has stirred deep emotions, as she acknowledges just how much her personal life has transformed over the years. The journey hasn’t been what she expected, but it has been profoundly meaningful.

Motherhood, she explains, has reshaped her perspective and helped her understand Ricky’s growth. Like many parents, she feels more emotionally layered and grounded. She recalls challenging moments early on when she was alone caring for her twins, learning to rely on techniques from her professional life to stay centered. Those experiences, she says, ultimately made her stronger both as a parent and an actress, allowing her to bring honesty and vulnerability back to the role.

Bonnie believes parenting has deepened her connection to humanity and heightened her awareness of time, energy, and equality. Her views on feminism and the value of unpaid caregiving have strengthened, and she now approaches her work with a clearer sense of purpose. Although she has built a joyful life outside Summer Bay, revisiting Ricky brings back memories of a very different chapter — one where she had fewer responsibilities and a different outlook on life.

Her original departure in 2016, when Ricky left with Brax, played by Stephen Peacocke, was bittersweet. Bonnie admits she was heartbroken to leave and never imagined she would return. Now, stepping back into that world feels like reopening a treasured book of memories. Reuniting with Stephen made the comeback feel even more natural, given their strong on-screen chemistry.

Viewers will find Ricky and Brax living in Western Australia, having built a more mature and stable life together. Yet, as Bonnie hints, rising tensions threaten that stability. She particularly enjoys the intensity of their dramatic confrontations, noting that the trust between her and Stephen makes those scenes exciting to perform.

One especially meaningful moment during filming came when her daughters visited the set. Bonnie describes it as incredibly special, as the girls begin to understand their mother’s career. While they enjoy creative activities, she hopes they can simply enjoy childhood before considering any professional paths.

Looking ahead, Bonnie is open to future opportunities. She fondly remembers her time on The Secret Daughter, which is nearing its tenth anniversary, though she doubts a reboot will happen. Still, she believes musical drama has a bright future in Australia and remains passionate about the genre.

For now, Bonnie is savoring her return, balancing the past and present. Even if it’s just a brief revisit to Ricky’s story, it holds deep personal meaning. She says being back on the show feels special, both for her and for fans who share those memories. Embracing the experience, she is keeping her heart open and enjoying every moment of this unexpected return.