In devastating news that has sent shockwaves through the Australian television industry, a Home and Away favourite has died following a tragic car accident overnight.

The actor — identified as 31-year-old Liam Harwood, known to fans for his moving portrayal of troubled but big-hearted newcomer Jesse North — was killed instantly when his vehicle left the road on the outskirts of Sydney late Tuesday evening. Police have confirmed that no other cars were involved and investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.

Harwood, who joined Home and Away in 2022, quickly became one of the show’s most beloved young stars. His breakout storyline, which saw Jesse battling his past while trying to rebuild a life in Summer Bay, earned him a massive fan following and wide critical acclaim. Just last year, he was nominated for a TV Week Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent — a milestone he described as “surreal, humbling and completely unexpected.”

A representative for the actor released a short statement early this morning, confirming the heartbreaking news.
“Liam was a bright, generous and extraordinarily talented young man,” the statement read. “His loss is immeasurable. We ask for privacy as his family, friends and colleagues process this unimaginable tragedy.”

On set in Sydney, production on Home and Away has been temporarily halted as cast and crew struggle to come to grips with the loss. A source from inside the production described the atmosphere as “silent, shell-shocked and utterly devastated.”

“He wasn’t just a colleague,” the source shared. “He was the kind of person who lit up every room. Everybody adored him. This has knocked the wind out of all of us.”

Several cast members, many of whom had grown exceptionally close to Harwood during his time on the series, have begun posting heartfelt tributes online. One co-star wrote, “I still can’t believe this is real. Liam was pure sunshine — kind, funny, endlessly giving. Working with him was one of the greatest privileges of my career.”

Fans, too, are pouring out their grief. Social media has been flooded with clips of Harwood’s most emotional scenes, fan art, and messages of disbelief and sorrow. Viewers have been recalling the actor’s extraordinary ability to bring vulnerability and warmth to even the darkest storylines. Many have described him as “a rare talent,” “a beautiful soul,” and “the future of Aussie television.”

Harwood had recently completed filming several major scenes for upcoming episodes, and the network is expected to make an announcement shortly about how the show will handle his character’s storyline moving forward. Insiders say producers are committed to honouring his memory with “deep respect and sensitivity.”

The tragedy comes at a moment when Harwood’s career was soaring and his personal life was thriving. Friends say he had been excited about new projects, was deeply in love with his long-term partner, and had spoken often about feeling the happiest and most grounded he had ever been.

The loss of Liam Harwood is not only a blow to the Home and Away family but to the entire entertainment community. His talent, heart, and light will be profoundly missed — on screen, on set, and by fans everywhere.