Home and Away reveals future of Rose and Mali storyline

Could they become a couple?

By Daniel Kilkelly

8 Feb 2023

Channel 5

Home and Away spoilers follow from Australian-pace episodes, which some UK viewers may prefer to avoid.

Home and Away has hinted at a possible future for Rose Delaney and Mali Hudson's romantic chemistry.

The Summer Bay soap had been teasing a possible relationship for the two characters, but they faced a setback this week when Mali became concerned over Rose's job.

Rose is a police officer and has been working for the Yabbie Creek Police Department since moving to Summer Bay last year.

This week's episodes saw Rose share a passionate kiss with Mali after they enjoyed a date together at Salt.

Both hoped that this could lead to something special, but Mali was worried to spot Rose in her police uniform the next morning.

Mali immediately became cold and distant around Rose, questioning why she hadn't told him about her job sooner.

Although Mali initially seemed reluctant to disclose the reason for his reaction, he later confided in Rose when pushed for an explanation.

Hinting that he'd faced prejudice from police officers in the past, Mali explained: "Why do you think? Where I'm from, you can't trust cops. So this – us – it's not going to work."

Channel 7

Rose replied: "You don't know that. I'm really sorry that's your experience. It doesn't matter what uniform I wear. I promise, I'm not like that. Give me a chance to prove it to you. If you can't get past what I do for a living, I understand that. But shouldn't we at least try?"

After bonding further during a party at the Parata house, Rose asked Mali whether they'd see each other again.

Rose was pleased when Mali confirmed that he'd be interested in a second date.

Home and Away fans in the UK will see these scenes on Channel 5 in March.

Channel 5

The long-running soap announced in December that Kyle Shilling had landed the role of Mali.

Kyle is from the Widjabul clan of the Bundjalung Nation. Home and Away bosses have worked with an Aboriginal script consultant while devising plans for his character Mali.

Kyle recently told Perth Now: "If I had seen someone like me on a popular TV show when I was a kid, I would have been more driven as a young person to want to better myself and explore acting.

"As Indigenous people, we are always categorised as athletes; there was never any other avenue I thought I could go down. When you feel like you're stereotyped your whole life, that has a huge effect.

"Looking back on my 10-year-old self, if I had seen someone like Mali Hudson on such a big series, I would have wanted to be him."

Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.45pm on Channel 5 and 6pm on 5STAR. First-look screenings air at 6.30pm on 5STAR and the show also streams on My5.

In Australia, the show airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7pm on Channel 7 and streams on 7plus.

Selected classic episodes are available via Prime Video in the UK.