Just when fans thought the drama ended with her emotional farewell from Home and Away, Jessica Redmayne has dropped a real-life bombshell that no one saw coming.
The actress, who quietly bowed out of the long-running Aussie soap earlier this year, has confirmed she is pregnant — and the announcement comes mere weeks after her on-screen departure. But it’s not just the baby news that has sent shockwaves through the fandom. It’s who the father is.
According to sources close to the former Summer Bay star, the baby’s father is actor Liam Hartley, a familiar face to Home and Away viewers and a man long linked to Redmayne through whispers of an off-screen connection. While neither star has publicly confirmed the relationship in detail, insiders say the pair have been “privately inseparable” for months.
“People suspected something was going on, but no one expected this,” one industry insider revealed. “Jessica leaving the show suddenly now makes a lot more sense.”
Redmayne, who played the much-loved (and often troubled) character that became central to several major storylines, announced the pregnancy via a heartfelt statement, describing the moment as “unexpected, overwhelming, and incredibly special.” Fans immediately flooded social media with messages of support — but also plenty of questions.
Why the sudden exit?
Why the secrecy?
And how long has this been going on?
For months, viewers had speculated that Redmayne’s abrupt disappearance from the screen felt unfinished. Her storyline wrapped faster than expected, with unresolved threads that left fans frustrated and confused. At the time, production sources cited “personal reasons,” but now those words carry an entirely new weight.

“Jessica didn’t want the pregnancy to become a storyline or distraction,” another source claimed. “She made the choice to step away on her own terms.”
As for Hartley, the actor has remained noticeably quiet since the news broke. Known for keeping his private life firmly out of the spotlight, his silence has only fueled speculation. Some fans have pointed out that his recent public appearances coincided suspiciously with Redmayne’s low-profile months away from cameras.
Behind the scenes, insiders suggest the pair are preparing for a new chapter far from the relentless pace of soap-opera schedules. “This wasn’t planned, but it’s something they’re embracing,” the source added. “Jessica is glowing. She’s genuinely happy.”
Whether this marks a permanent goodbye to Home and Away or simply a pause remains to be seen. Soap history is full of dramatic returns — and fans are already begging producers to leave the door open.
For now, though, one thing is certain: Jessica Redmayne’s most dramatic storyline yet is playing out off-screen, and it’s one that has left Summer Bay fans absolutely stunned.