After months of speculation, fan heartbreak and unanswered questions, Nicholas Cartwright has finally spoken out about the death of Cash Newman in Home and Away’s explosive 2025 finale — and his words are just as emotional as viewers feared.

The season-ending episode left audiences stunned when Cash, one of Summer Bay’s most complex and beloved characters, was killed in a storyline that sent shockwaves through the fandom. Social media erupted within minutes of the final scene airing, with many viewers admitting they “never saw it coming” and others struggling to accept that Cash’s journey was truly over.

Now, Cartwright has addressed the moment for the first time, opening up about the toll of filming the storyline and what Cash’s final chapter really meant.

“I knew it was going to hurt people,” Cartwright revealed. “Cash was someone viewers had grown with. He wasn’t perfect — he was messy, guarded, and sometimes made the wrong calls — but he cared deeply. Losing him was always going to feel personal.”

According to the actor, discussions about Cash’s exit had been happening quietly behind the scenes for months. Producers wanted the 2025 finale to land with emotional weight, and Cash’s death was designed to be a turning point for Summer Bay — not just shock value.

“This wasn’t about drama for drama’s sake,” Cartwright explained. “Cash carried a lot of unresolved pain. His story was about responsibility, love, and the cost of holding everything inside. The ending was meant to reflect that complexity.”

Cartwright admitted filming Cash’s final scenes was one of the hardest experiences of his career. While the on-screen moments were tightly controlled, the emotional impact lingered long after the cameras stopped rolling.

“There were days I went home and just sat in silence,” he said. “When you’ve lived inside a character for that long, saying goodbye isn’t as simple as finishing a scene. It stays with you.”

Fans have particularly praised the way Cash’s relationships were honoured in the finale, with subtle callbacks to his past and quiet, emotional performances rather than over-the-top spectacle. Cartwright says that was intentional.

“Cash didn’t need a loud ending,” he said. “He deserved something honest. Something that felt real.”

While some viewers are still holding out hope for a surprise twist, Cartwright gently confirmed that Cash’s story has truly reached its end.

“I understand the denial,” he said with a soft laugh. “I felt it too. But sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones that don’t give us an easy way out.”

As for what’s next, Cartwright says he’s taking time to reflect before jumping into new projects — and he’s grateful for the overwhelming support from fans.

“The messages have been incredible,” he shared. “If Cash’s story meant something to people, then we did our job.”

One thing is certain: the 2025 Home and Away finale won’t be forgotten anytime soon — and neither will Cash Newman.