Summer Bay is bracing itself for a shocking new chapter as Home and Away prepares to reveal a long-anticipated twist in the life of young Cohen. Fans have watched his journey from

a troubled, homeless child to a cherished part of Summer Bay’s community, but nothing could have prepared them for the arrival of a man claiming to be Cohen’s father.

This explosive development threatens to upend the fragile balance of the young boy’s life and the dreams of his potential adoptive mother, Roo Stewart.

Cohen’s story in Summer Bay has been nothing short of dramatic. He first arrived in mid-May when new Sergeant David Langam was called to a disturbance involving a local homeless woman named Samantha. Outside her tent, Samantha was shouting at officers, resisting assistance and protection. David, demonstrating his trademark patience and empathy, tried to calm the situation and offer her a safe place where she and Cohen wouldn’t be surrounded by judgmental locals. However, the discovery of a large quantity of mobile phones concealed in Samantha’s car boot turned the situation tense. The phones matched a batch recently stolen from a Reefton Lakes warehouse, forcing David to make a difficult decision. Despite sympathizing with Samantha, he had no choice but to take her into custody.

With Samantha facing multiple warrants for shoplifting and breaking and entering, Cohen was suddenly left without a guardian. Enter Roo Stewart, returning from a break in Mimula after her heart-wrenching experiences with her last foster child, Eliza. Roo, along with Marilyn Chambers, took Cohen into their care, offering him stability, warmth, and the chance to feel part of a family for the first time in his life. Even Alf Stewart, back from Mimula, lent his support, easing Roo’s concerns about fostering so soon after her last emotionally taxing placement. What was meant to be temporary quickly became permanent when Samantha made the life-altering decision to relinquish all parental rights, leaving Roo as Cohen’s primary caregiver while police searched for any other family members.

As Cohen settled into life in Summer Bay, he developed a close bond with Alf, sharing simple joys like fishing trips and quiet moments of laughter. Roo, inspired by the deep connection she had built with the boy, began to seriously consider adoption. She approached Harper, who reminded her that Cohen’s consent would be paramount. Roo then sat down with Cohen, gently explaining that Samantha would always remain his mother but that she wanted to give him a life with stability, love, and a home in Summer Bay. With Cohen’s agreement, Roo started the formal process to adopt him, seemingly bringing her dream of motherhood full circle.

However, the serenity of this new chapter is about to face a staggering challenge. Home and Away has revealed that a man named Adrian Purcell, played by actor Tom Matthews, will arrive in Summer Bay claiming to be Cohen’s biological father. A recent promo shared on the show’s Instagram account teased the dramatic tension, showing Roo’s heart swelling with pride as she photographs Cohen smiling during a fishing trip with Alf — and then juxtaposing it with the arrival of Adrian at Yabby Creek Police Station. The new character approaches the station, introducing himself formally and asking whether he could indeed be Cohen’s father. Roo, upon hearing this, is visibly taken aback, hand to her head, unsure how to protect the child she has grown to love.

Adrian’s first interactions with Roo are charged with tension. He expresses gratitude for Roo’s care of Cohen, saying, “Well, no one else was here to do it.” Roo responds cautiously, warning him of the boundaries she has set as Cohen’s foster parent. However, Adrian is determined, showing that he intends to form a bond with the child, whether Roo approves or not. Scenes from the upcoming episodes depict Adrian approaching Cohen in the Summer Bay parklands, telling the boy, “I think I’m your dad.” Roo panics, insisting that he should not say such things to Cohen yet, and the tension escalates further when Cash Newman intervenes, questioning what is happening and placing Roo in a precarious position. Cohen, confused and unprepared, simply says, “I don’t have a dad.”

Fans have speculated about Adrian’s intentions since actor Tom Matthews was spotted filming with Nathan Murray, who plays Cohen, in early March. Behind-the-scenes photos show the pair interacting warmly, including moments of hugging and walking together under Roo’s watchful eye. This has led viewers to question whether Adrian is a long-lost father genuinely seeking a connection, or a figure who might disrupt the stability Cohen has found with Roo and Alf. The dynamic promises to explore themes of parental rights, the definition of family, and the emotional consequences for all involved.

The arrival of Adrian is not just a personal challenge for Roo; it also raises broader questions about Cohen’s future. Roo’s dreams of adopting Cohen hang in the balance, potentially threatened by the presence of his biological father. This storyline has all the ingredients of classic Home and Away drama: emotional stakes, moral dilemmas, and the raw tension of family relationships caught between love and legality. Roo’s determination to protect Cohen at all costs will clash with Adrian’s desire to establish his paternal role, ensuring that viewers are gripped episode after episode.

As this arc unfolds, audiences can expect powerful performances from the cast, with Nathan Murray showcasing Cohen’s vulnerability and Roo Stewart confronting her fears of losing a child she has come to love as her own. Meanwhile, Tom Matthews’ portrayal of Adrian promises depth, as he embodies a man who may have been absent for years but carries a genuine longing to connect with his son. Alf and Cash, as part of the extended family of Summer Bay, will also play key roles in mediating conflicts and providing guidance, further enriching the storyline with familiar faces and heartfelt moments.

The reveal of Cohen’s father is a storyline that combines suspense, heartache, and drama in the classic Home and Away tradition. It tests the bonds of chosen family versus biological ties, challenges the strength of Roo’s commitment as a foster parent, and places young Cohen at the center of an emotional storm that will shape his future in Summer Bay. Fans are advised to brace for an unforgettable sequence of episodes as relationships are tested, loyalties are questioned, and the meaning of family is explored in gripping fashion.

As viewers tune in to witness Adrian’s arrival and the unfolding drama, one thing is clear: Summer Bay will never be the same. Roo’s journey to motherhood, Cohen’s search for identity, and the arrival of Adrian Purcell promise to deliver some of the most emotionally charged television of the year. The impact of this storyline will resonate throughout the show, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating the choices and consequences that lie ahead.