Newest Update!! Home and Away reveals former child star Matt Doran hints at return to Summer Bay

For generations of Australian television fans, Matt Doran will always be remembered as the rebellious and charismatic Damien Roberts from Home and Away.

Yet while many viewers associate him with his memorable years in Summer Bay, Doran has quietly built an impressive career that stretches far beyond the iconic soap,

earning cult status through appearances in two of the most influential film franchises in cinematic history: Star Wars and The Matrix.

Now, in a candid and nostalgic interview, the actor has opened up about life after fame, balancing fatherhood with a decades-long acting career, and the possibility of returning to the role that first made him a household name.

And for longtime Home and Away fans, his comments may offer the strongest hint yet that Damien Roberts could one day walk back into Summer Bay.

From Summer Bay Heartthrob to Global Sci-Fi Cult Favorite

While Doran’s early fame came through Australian television, his career took an unexpected turn when he landed roles in two legendary science-fiction franchises.

Speaking ahead of a major fan convention appearance, the 48-year-old actor admitted that it took him years to fully appreciate the impact those projects had on audiences around the world.

Initially unsure about attending fan expos and conventions, Doran confessed that he once felt somewhat out of place at events celebrating science-fiction and fantasy entertainment. However, that feeling quickly changed when he saw firsthand the passion and loyalty of fans who had followed his work for decades.

The actor described convention appearances as a powerful reminder of how fortunate he has been throughout his career.

Whether fans know him as Damien Roberts, Mouse from The Matrix, or the unforgettable “death sticks” dealer from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Doran continues to attract enthusiastic crowds eager to celebrate the characters he brought to life.

The Three-Line Star Wars Role That Refused to Die

Ironically, one of Doran’s most famous performances lasted only a matter of minutes.

In Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Doran portrayed Elan Sleazebaggano, the shady nightclub dealer who attempts to sell death sticks to Obi-Wan Kenobi before receiving one of the franchise’s most memorable Jedi mind tricks.

The scene was brief. The character appeared only momentarily. Yet more than two decades later, fans still remember every word.

Doran revealed that he remains amazed by the enduring popularity of the role, especially considering how small it was.

What makes the story even more remarkable is that the scene itself was reportedly written by George Lucas after Doran had initially been considered for a completely different CGI character.

At the time, Doran simply saw it as an opportunity to appear in a Star Wars film. He never imagined that the role would become such a beloved piece of franchise history.

Today, convention attendees frequently approach him to discuss the scene, request autographs, and reminisce about the unforgettable exchange with Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The actor laughed while recalling that fans have even asked him to sign cigarette packets because of the famous “death sticks” dialogue.

For a performer who spent only a single day filming the scene, the legacy has been extraordinary.

Preserving a Piece of Galactic History

The impact of Star Wars extends beyond fan interactions.

Doran proudly revealed that he still owns action figures based on his character, carefully preserving them as treasured keepsakes.

While younger relatives eagerly opened and played with their collectibles years ago, Doran admits he kept several untouched.

For him, those figures represent far more than merchandise. They serve as tangible reminders that he became part of one of the most influential entertainment franchises ever created.

And when asked whether he would return to the Star Wars universe if given the opportunity, Doran’s answer suggested that he has never stopped thinking about his character’s fate.

Referencing fan theories that continue circulating online, he joked that perhaps Elan ignored Obi-Wan’s advice entirely and continued selling death sticks somewhere in a distant corner of the galaxy.

It’s exactly the kind of humorous speculation that has helped keep the character alive in fan culture for years.

The Matrix Role Fans Never Forgot

If Star Wars provided Doran with one iconic scene, The Matrix gave him an unforgettable action showcase.

As Mouse, one of the crew members aboard the Nebuchadnezzar, Doran became part of a film that transformed science-fiction cinema forever.

His dramatic and explosive death sequence remains one of the movie’s most discussed moments.

The actor humorously describes it as his “Tony Montana moment,” recalling the sequence in which Mouse goes down fighting with two machine guns blazing.

The image has become so iconic among fans that Doran says it remains the photograph he signs most frequently at conventions.

Unlike his brief Star Wars appearance, The Matrix required months of work and allowed him to develop strong relationships with cast and crew members.

Doran reflected on the stark contrast between the productions.

While his Star Wars experience was completed in a single day, The Matrix unfolded across approximately nine months of filming, creating a vastly different atmosphere behind the scenes.

The extended schedule allowed friendships to develop and gave actors time to fully immerse themselves in the groundbreaking world created by the Wachowskis.

Perhaps most remarkably, Doran recalls reading the script for the first time and immediately sensing its potential.

According to the actor, the finished film matched the brilliance he experienced while reading the screenplay—an exceptionally rare achievement in Hollywood.

Even today, he says, the film still captivates him as a viewer. Rather than focusing on his own performance, he often becomes completely absorbed in the story.

Balancing Career and Family

Despite his connections to blockbuster franchises and his enduring popularity among fans, Doran’s life today revolves around something far more important: family.

Now living in Sydney with his two children, the actor has embraced a quieter lifestyle while continuing to pursue acting opportunities.

Although family commitments understandably take priority, Doran insists that acting remains deeply embedded in his identity.

Having worked in the industry since childhood, he continues auditioning and accepting projects whenever schedules permit.

One of his recent roles came in the psychological thriller Intersection, a low-budget production that challenged him in entirely new ways.

The film features Doran in nearly every scene as a desperate father attempting to reconnect with his son.

While the project may not have enjoyed the massive budgets of Star Wars or The Matrix, it offered the kind of intense character work that continues to fuel his passion for acting.

Could Damien Roberts Return?

For many fans, however, the most exciting part of Doran’s interview involved his thoughts on Home and Away.

More than three decades after Damien Roberts first appeared in Summer Bay, audiences remain curious about what happened to the beloved character.

Doran playfully suggested his own fictional update, joking that Damien failed university, became a photographer, and eventually entered the priesthood.

But beneath the humor was a genuine openness to revisiting the role.

The actor admitted that he frequently experiences a recurring dream in which he has returned to the Home and Away set but cannot remember any of his lines.

Rather than viewing it as a nightmare, he sees it as an amusing sign that the series still occupies a special place in his heart.

Significantly, Doran revealed that he remains in contact with Tina Thomsen, who played his on-screen sister Finlay Roberts.

Their continued friendship has only fueled speculation about a potential reunion.

Inspired by the successful revival and farewell celebrations seen in other Australian soaps, Doran believes fans would enthusiastically embrace a special reunion project involving former Summer Bay residents.

And if producers ever came calling?

His answer was simple.

He would be happy to return.

For viewers who grew up watching Damien Roberts navigate romance, family drama, and life in Summer Bay, the prospect is undeniably exciting.

After all, in the world of soap operas, no character’s story is ever truly finished.

And if Matt Doran has his way, Damien Roberts may yet emerge from the priesthood and make one more unforgettable return to Summer Bay.