Martin "Ash" Ashford is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by George Mason. The character made his first screen appearance on 27 October 2014. When Mason auditioned he believed Ash to be a "great character" and moved from Melbourne to accept the role. Ash is characterised as a tough, ex-prisoner who has a backstory of criminal activity. He was sent to prison after committing a robbery with Dean Sanderson (Kevin Kiernan-Molloy), but he framed Ash as the sole perpetrator and turned his sister Billie (Tessa de Josselin) against him.
Ash is introduced into the show as an old prison friend of established character Darryl Braxton (Steve Peacocke) and they soon embark on a journey into the Australian Outback in search of Billie. His storyline continued to be centric to Brax's story. The show later developed a relationship storyline with Denny Miller (Jessica Grace Smith). Critics have stated that the character quickly assumed the role of the show's "hunk" and "bad boy". Mason decided to leave Home and Away in early 2018. His character took a temporary break in April, ahead of his departure on 20 June 2018.
Casting
New Zealand born George Mason had been residing in Melbourne when he secured an audition for the role. He recalled thinking that Ash was a "great character". He was about to sign a long-term lease on a property in the city when he discovered he had been awarded the role. A Woman's Day reporter commented that Mason would "bring an explosive plot line" to the show. Ash comes to Summer Bay looking for Darryl Braxton (Steve Peacocke). Mason's agent later confirmed that he would be playing Martin Ashford who goes by the nickname "Ash". The character was introduced on-screen during the episode broadcast on 27 October 2014.
Development
Characterisation
Ash is portrayed as a tough male character that has had to survive prison. Despite this he has a comical side to his personality and behaves in a hyperactive manner. Ash is "haunted" because his sister wrongly believes he tried to blame her boyfriend for a joint crime. But he is the type of person who would "never dodge responsibility at the expense of another". Mason described his character as being "chilled" and said "He plays up like a second-hand lawnmower but it's all in good fun. I don't think he takes life too seriously but when it comes to family he definitely wants somewhere to belong." He added that Ash had a good heart, but his upbringing meant that he was a bit of a bad guy. Mason told a TV Week reporter that Ash behaves like a "mystery man". In reference to female attention Ash receives, he added that "it's certainly interesting when he hits the beach". Ash is also described as "a pretty raw sort of bloke". He added that he wants fun while in Summer Bay to catch up the time he lost while in prison. The actor believed that certain aspects of Ash could annoy viewers but predicted that he would become be a liked character.
Introduction
Ash arrives in Summer Bay to stay with his friend Brax who he had met while in prison. Mason told Kerry Harvey writing for TV Guide that "he will definitely ruffle a few feathers when he comes into the Bay. He's a tough sort of a bloke with a few unresolved issues. He's come to the Bay looking for Brax so it will be interesting to see what happens there, whether it's good or bad." Mason added that most of Ash's scenes are shared with Brax. He revealed an on-set "bromance" had formed with Peacocke, who acted as a mentor for Mason. When Brax becomes aggressive with his brother Kyle Braxton (Nic Westaway) because of his bad experiences in prison; the Braxton family question whether Ash should be around Brax. Westaway told a TV Week reporter that "everyone is trying to figure out whether having Ash there is going to help Brax work out his problems, or whether Ash will be a constant reminder of what was one of the most painful times in his life."