The disruptors of Home And Away! Looking back at some of the River Boys

River Boys are the epitome of the classic Home and Away bad boy, and the best part is the infamous group keep returning to Summer Bay.

The River Boys may be a criminal gang from Mangrove River, but why do they have to be so handsome?

We’ll never forget the original River Boy, Brax. ((Credit: Seven))

Summer Bay was first introduced to the gang with The Braxton Brothers in 2011 until 2016. Lead by Darryl ‘Brax’ Braxton with the help of his three brothers Heath, Casey and Kyle who wasn’t introduced until 2012.

For six years, the residents were ensnared by the River Boys – but what is Home and Away without its dangerous heartthrobs and overall chaotic storylines?

With the 2024 announcement that a River Boy was returning to Summer Bay with Rory, we’ve listed all the troublesome bad boys that have entered the fictional town.

Continue scrolling to see some of the biggest River Boys to enter Home and Away.

(Image: Seven)

The Braxton Brothers

It may be nearly ten years since The Braxton Brothers have graced our screens, but Summer Bay fans around the world still fluster at the sight of them.

Brax was played by Stephen Peacocke, was joined by his brothers Dan Ewing as Heath and Lincoln Younes as half-brother Casey to make up the nefarious yet alluring trio.

In 2015, Steven announced his departure from Home and Away. As for his character, after being sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit, he organised an escape plan which turned sour. The Bay presumed the River Boy died, but in his final appearance Brax farewelled the Bay with Rickey and their son Casey.

His son was named his Brax’s half-brother, Casey who died in 2014 after being shot.

As for Heath, he made an on-screen exit in 2014 and made a brief appearance for Casey’s funeral. His final appearance, however, was in 2017 after he and wife Bianca Scott (Lisa Gormley) returned in 2016.

(Image: Seven)

Kyle Braxton

While Kyle (Nic Westaway) was related to The Braxton Brothers, he wasn’t technically apart of the original trio. He made his first appearance in 2012 and exited in 2016 after being sent to prison for armed robbery.

(Image: Seven)

Danny Braxton

Danny Braxton, father to Darryl and Heath – but rasied Casey like a father – appeared in 2012. While his stay on Home and Away was incredibly short, his storyline was chaotic!

After many altercations with Brax that disrupts Summer Bay, his storyline came to an end after Casey shoots him.

(Image: Seven)

Brodie Upton

Brodie was one of the first River Boys in Summer Bay after the Braxtons in 2011. He had a complicated with Brax after breaking the River Boy code – don’t bully older people.

After stealing some drug crop, Brax instructed Brodie surrender to the police which he reluctantly did. But he wasn’t set on the idea of going to jail. After a scramble, Brax had Brodie smuggled out of the area and was told to never come back.

(Image: Seven)

Stuart Henderson

Stu (Brenton Thwaites) entered Summer Bay in 2011, and quickly became involved with the River Boys. It wasn’t long until he got a River Boy tattoo which was savagely torn out… Stuart wasn’t a loved bad boy after abusing Sasha.

Stuart’s last episode aired in 2012 with his death.

(Image: Seven)

Dean Thompson

Bye-bye Braxton Brothers and hello to a new generation of River Boys. Dean (Patrick O’Connor), introduced in 2018, was a little rough around the edges but had a heart of gold as he found love with Ziggy (Sophie Dillman).

Dean made his final on-screen appearance in 2023, when his ex-girlfriend revealed she was moving away with their son, Jai. He then asks Ziggy for her thoughts on moving, who was excited to start a new chapter.

(Image: Seven)

Rory

Rory (Joshua Orpin) is the latest River Boy to enter Summer Bay, making his first on-screen appearance in June 2024.

We are yet to see how Rory’s storyline will progress on Home and Away.