Home and Away’s Nicholas Cartwright on being a soldier in Afghanistan and changing career

The Cash Newman actor has made his mark in Summer Bay playing a police officer, but before turning to acting, the Home and Away star served in the Australian Army for six years

Being a police officer isn’t hugely foreign for actor Nicholas Cartwright.

The Home and Away star, who plays the fictional Senior Sergeant Constable Cash Newman, actually served in the Australian Army for six years.

After finishing up his duties, he decided to change careers completely and studied to become an actor.

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What did Nicholas do in the army?

Nicholas was part of the Australian Army for six years and worked as a rifleman while serving. He was deployed in East Timor and Afghanistan.

After leaving the military, he initially considered applying for the police or the fire department, but then decided he wanted to try something different.

“When I got out, I was looking at joining the police or the fire department, different government institutions that reminded me of the military,” he told Stuff.

“Then, as I got deeper into my civilian life post-military, I started getting drawn towards the creative arts and wasn’t really sure what I was going to do about it because it didn’t seem like a viable career to me.

“Then, one day, I just decided to bite the bullet and head to Nida (the National Institute Of Dramatic Arts) and do a three-year course.”

Nicholas has made several posts marking Anzac Day over the years. It is a national day of commemoration of Australia and New Zealand for victims of war and for recognition of the role of their armed forces.

In April 2023, he wrote: “Had a nice quiet morning service, now I'm going to call a few lads who I haven't spoken to in a while. Anzac day changes for me every year that goes by and as I get older I find my relationship with the military changes too. But ill always suit up and put the medals on. I will remember them. Lest we forget.”

Ho w did Nicholas get into acting?

Nicholas studied at the Sydney drama school NIDA and graduated in 2019.

As Covid-19 hit Australia and finding work became difficult, he applied to join the New South Wales Police and the Australian Federal Police.

However, he still continued to audition for acting roles, including for the role of Home and Away’s killer nurse Lewis.

The role went to Luke Arnold, but Nicholas is thankful he didn’t get that part as he later appeared as Cash Newman.

Why did Nicholas decide to become an actor?

Acting runs in his family, with Nicholas’ sister, Zara, also working in the entertainment industry

He took to social media to share that he would be starring alongside his sibling in Summer Bay.

“Not sure if y'all have seen the promo, but my beautiful lil sister will be joining us on @homeandaway this week!” he said.

“I've never had more fun on set. It was literally impossible to not look over at her and laugh with joy between takes. Such a wonderful moment to work with family in such a bizarre world.

“Welcome to the team @nottherealzarazoe ! Tune in to see what we get up to”.

Zara previously starred in the 2015 drama film Skin Deep and in the 2019 movie Ride Like a Girl alongside Teresa Palmer and Sam Neill.

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