List of Home and Away characters introduced in 2017

Riley Hawkins, played by Ryan O'Kane, made his first appearance on 31 January 2017. O'Kane's housemate Rob Mills also auditioned for the role. He was waiting for his agent to let him know the outcome when O'Kane revealed that he had won the part. Riley is introduced as Tori Morgan's (Penny McNamee) former boyfriend and a surgeon at the local hospital, who steps in to perform surgery on Justin Morgan (James Stewart). McNamee said the moment Tori is reunited with Riley is "shocking" for her because she has not seen him in seven years. While Riley is surprised to learn that Tori and her siblings have been in witness protection. Fellow doctor Nate Cooper (Kyle Pryor), who broke up with Tori, is jealous of her history with Riley.

On his first day at Northern Districts Hospital, Riley is asked to operate on Justin Morgan, the brother of his former partner Tessa Lee, now known as Tori. Tori explains to Riley that she and her brothers had to go into witness protection after their parents were shot. Riley tells Nate Cooper that he and Tori used to be a couple, and that he wants her back. He also apologises to Tori for cheating on her. When Justin learns Riley is in town, he warns him to stay away from Tori. Riley later treats Justin when he is admitted with an infection. He also tells Tori that Nate tried to make a bet with him about her, but she soon realises that he lied. Riley performs a bronchoscopy on Billie Ashford (Tessa de Josselin) and finds a mass in her airway. Tori and Riley go on a lunch date, where he asks her for another chance, but she is cautious due to his history. Brody Morgan (Jackson Heywood) sees Riley flirting with Evelyn MacGuire (Philippa Northeast) at Billie's wake, and tells him not to mess Tori around again. Shortly after they get back together, Riley asks Tori to move to the city with him. She turns him down for the sake of her family. Riley then sees her and Nate talking and hugging. He amends Billie's notes and then makes a formal complaint in an attempt to get Nate fired for medical negligence. Tori proves the notes were doctored and when Riley admits that he did it, she breaks up with him. When he shows up at her house, Tori tells him to get out of her life. Justin overhears them arguing and fights with Riley, before Tori orders him to leave. Riley quits his job at the hospital and leaves town. Provided by Wikipedia