It's good to see I am not the only one who is stirring up a little drama on the soap front, former Home and Away star Jay Laga'aia who played Elijah Johnson has taken to twitter and alleged that his recent firing had more to do with his race than anything else.
Hats off to you Firass Dirani, for a call to stop commercial network producers casting only white actors. Only on Australian screens. Shame!
As someone who lost his job on H&A because they couldnt write two ethnics that weren't together, I'd like a chance to ply my trade freely
I think commercial TV should take a leaf out of children's TV in this country. We are a rainbow nation in kids TV. No tokens here.
Meanwhile a representative for the 7 network (which broadcast Home and Away in Australia) told the Herald Sun
"Jay's comments are offensive. We have great regard for Jay and his work on Home and Away during the last two years.While I feel for both parties I can't help but side with both in this matter. On one hand the character of Elijah lost all momentum that had been going for him when Laga'aia took his break to go film his movie. Thus when he came back in 2011 it felt little more than to little to late and felt like the character was shoehorned into the story and didn't really have a place anymore.
"It is insulting to suggest that Home and Away is racist. His character's storyline reached a natural conclusion."
At the same time there was plenty of potential stories to be told with Elijah had the network really wanted to sit down and think things through. I do believe the story of Elijah and Leah have come to a natural end, but does that have to be the end of Elijah? I guess the answer is yes...
I wish both parties the best of luck in the future, and look forward to seeing Elijah's exit this April.
What do you think? Was Laga'aia's claims of racism warranted or was it just time for Elijah to go? Let me know your take in the comments below or on twitter @SoapWikiJohn
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