McLeod’s Daughters star Rachael Carpani returns to Aussie TV with role on Home and Away

Rachael Carpani, who became a household name thanks to a seven-season stint playing sweet-natured Jodi Fountain on McLeod’s Daughters, will return to Aussie screens today, stepping into a role on Home and Away.

Carpani, who has spent the better part of the past decade living and working in the US, lands in Summer Bay as “deeply-flawed” businesswoman, Claudia — a character that couldn’t be further removed from her previous well-known role.

“I love the fact that she may seem like a villain, which is new for Aussies who remember me from Mcleods playing sweet Jodi,” Carpani says.

“Claudia is a flawed, deeply human, complicated character, yet she does cause some major issues for the Morgan household, and really doesn’t understand how her actions could hurt them — and they do deeply affect them.”

Carpani has returned to Australia to star in local productions over the years, but her guest role marks a permanent relocation home for the 44 year-old star.

“I love working in Australia, and now I’m based here again,” she explains.

“I started my career on a very Australian show, telling Aussie stories, so it feels great to play a character on another iconic Australian show again.”

Rumours have been swirling for several years that a McLeod’s Daughters reboot may be in the works, after its creator, Posie Graeme-Evans, said she was exploring possibilities for the show.

Carpani says she would be interested in reprising her role.

“All I can say is what I have heard from Posie Graham Evans, and what I know is what the public knows — that there is something in the works, but what form that will take I truly don’t know.

“I’m quite sure it won’t be a sequel, but it will be rooted in the Mcleods family tree.

“And in terms of joining whatever project eventuates — never say never.”