Matt Doran Hints at Home and Away Return Following Star Wars Revival

He’s best known to Aussie soap fans as Damian Roberts from Home and Away.

But Matt Doran has spent years quietly building a cult following thanks to his roles in two of the biggest film franchises on the planet: Star Wars and The Matrix.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the actor and father-of-two has opened about life after fame, the double life of being a dad and a sci-fi icon, and why he’s never ruled out a return to Summer Bay.

Speaking ahead of a fan convention appearance, Doran, 48, admitted he once felt ‘strange’ attending sci-fi expos like Supanova – until he realised just how much love fans had for his characters.

‘Whoever comes up to have a chat, they obviously know my work. It’s such a great reminder of how lucky I’ve been to be part of these iconic films,’ he said.

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He’s best known to Aussie soap fans as Damian Roberts from Home and Away (pictured). But Matt Doran (pictured on Home and Away) has spent years quietly building a cult following thanks to his roles in two of the biggest film franchises on the planet: Star Wars and The Matrix

Doran – who played Mouse in The Matrix and the infamous ‘death sticks’ dealer Elan Sleazebaggano in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones – said his brief scene in George Lucas’ space opera left a huge impression on fans.

‘Little did I know such a small role would be so well received,’ he laughed. ‘They love it. Everyone comes up and asks, ‘Are you the death sticks guy?’

The role, just three lines opposite Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi, was written by Lucas himself after initially asking Doran to audition for a CGI character.

‘I thought, it’s Star Wars, of course I’m going to jump at the chance. But the fact that it became so iconic… I still get people asking me to sign cigarette packets because of the death sticks line!’

Despite the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it role, Doran has his own Star Wars figurine – and proudly revealed his daughters and mum still have them in their boxes.

‘I found a few in a London toy shop and brought them back. My nephews broke theirs straight away, of course,’ he laughed. ‘But I’ve kept a couple – they’re pretty special.’

When asked if he’d return to the Star Wars universe, Doran didn’t hesitate.

‘I’ve seen fan theories on YouTube that explore what happened to Elan after Obi-Wan told him to ‘go home and rethink his life’. I like to believe he didn’t. He’s probably still pushing death sticks somewhere in the galaxy!’

Doran – who played Mouse in The Matrix and the infamous ‘death sticks’ dealer Elan Sleazebaggano in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (pictured) – said his brief scene in George Lucas’ space opera left a huge impression on fans

The Aussie actor is also a favourite among The Matrix fans – with his explosive death scene as Mouse still a major talking point.

‘I call it my Tony Montana moment,’ he joked. ‘Me with two massive machine guns going out in a blaze of glory. It’s actually the photo I sign the most at Supanova.’

Doran says the difference between Star Wars and The Matrix was stark.

‘My Star Wars role was shot in a day – it took longer to get through security than film it. The Matrix was about nine weeks of shooting over nine months. You had time to bond with the cast and crew.’

He added that reading the Matrix script was a rare moment where ‘you just knew’ the film would be a hit.

‘They actually brought that script to life exactly how I read it. Usually when I watch something I’ve done, the magic’s gone. But The Matrix still pulls me in – I forget I’m even in it.’

And what about a Matrix reboot?

‘I always joke that I don’t care about the sequels because I died in the first one,’ he said. ‘But honestly, nothing beats the original.’

Doran pictured in The Matrix

Doran, who now lives in Sydney with his young children, said acting is still his passion – even if family life takes priority.

‘I’ve been acting since I was 12. I still audition and take roles when I can. It’s part of me – always has been.’

He recently starred in a psychological thriller Intersection, now streaming on YouTube. The one-man film, shot just before the pandemic, features Doran in nearly every scene.

‘It’s just me in a car, talking on the phone, trying to get my son back. It’s low-budget, but from an acting perspective, it was a great challenge.’

Despite often being confused with other high-profile Aussie names – including former Sunrise presenter Matt Doran – the actor said he’s ‘the OG.’

‘There are three of us – the Sunrise Matt, the ABC journalist, and me. I’m the original Matt Doran,’ he laughed.

And for Home and Away fans wondering what became of Damian Roberts?

‘He flunked uni, became a photographer, then joined the priesthood – didn’t see that one coming!’ he said.

While Doran is unsure if a return to Home and Away is on the cards, he admitted he wouldn’t say no.

‘I still have the classic dream where I’m back on the Home and Away set but can’t remember any of my lines. Maybe that’s the universe telling me something.’

He remains in touch with co-star Tina Thomsen, who played his sister Finlay, and says a reunion special – like Neighbours pulled off for its finale – would be a treat for fans.

‘I think people would love it. I’d be happy to come back. Bring Damian out of the priesthood and back to Summer Bay!’

And when he’s not acting or signing figurines, Doran is focused on being a hands-on dad.

‘They keep me on my toes,’ he laughed. ‘And that’s the most important role I’ve ever had.’