James Fraser (Home and Away)

Infobox soap character
name = James Fraser
colour=Television colour|Home and Away


image_size =
caption =
portrayer = Sam Melkle
Michael Picciliri
creator =
species =
gender = Male
first = July 1, 1997
Episode 2187
last = July 27, 2005
Episode 4013
cause = Left for England with his niece, Olivia
age =
occupation = Doctor
title =
parents = Peter Fraser (father)
Diana Fraser (mother)
siblings = Lachlan Fraser (brother, deceased)
Elizabeth Fraser (sister)
Edward Fraser (brother)
spouse = Chloe Richards (1999-2000)
nieces/nephews = Olivia Richards (niece)
residence = England James Fraser was a fictional character in the Australian soap opera "Home and Away". The character was portrayed first by Sam Melke for one episode, and Michael Picciliri when the character returned as a series regular from 1998-2000 and for two episodes in 2005.

Character Information

James first appeared when his elder brother, Lachlan brought his girlfriend Shannon Reed for a family lunch at their parents' place. James reappeared the following year when he took a position at Northern District's hospital. There was an ulterior motive; James had used this position to get closer to Chloe Richards who had been involved with Lachlan and had a child with him, but had their happiness cut short when Lachlan was sent to America for treatment for Motor Neurone Disease.

When James acted on this feelings, Chloe initially rejected him but later softened when he offered her tickets to see Lachlan in America in time for Thanksgiving. When Chloe arrived she was devastated to see Lachlan with a new partner. Chloe returned to the bay heartbroken and James was there for her.

James and Chloe grew closer as the months passed, and Chloe began to see he really cared for her. This lead to a proposal from James in 1999.

On the day of the wedding, James began to have doubts as he still felt his brother cast a shadow over his relationship with Chloe. After reassurance from Chloe, the wedding went ahead and they were married. Lachlan later died, leaving both James and Chloe devastated.

The marriage wasn't to last as the couple had many arguments and James had felt like he would always be second best to Lachlan and Chloe admitted she didn't love him in the way he thought. They split, and Chloe left Summer Bay but they agreed to remain friends.

Now single, James threw himself into work and took in two new flatmates; Harry Keller and Shauna Bradley who were both teachers at the local High School.

In 2000, James decided to leave Summer Bay as he felt he had nothing going for him.

Five years later, following Chloe's death in a car crash. James returned to claim custody of Olivia during a battle between His Mother, Diana (who had an outright dislike for Chloe) and Chloe's foster mother, Irene Roberts. Chloe's will had stipulated in the event of her death, Olivia would go to live with James.