Home and Away star Jacqui Purvis reveals how Felicity and Jeremy's big scene was changed

 "I put a lot of pressure on myself."

Home and Away is about to air a powerful episode for Felicity Newman, as she confronts her attacker Jeremy Holding in a meeting at the police station.

The Summer Bay soap is exploring the topic of Restorative Justice, where survivors of crime get the chance to speak to those responsible and hold them to account.

Felicity agrees to see Jeremy after listening to various pieces of advice from her friends and family, who are conflicted about the meeting. In a moving scene, Felicity questions Jeremy and leaves him humiliated as she tells him exactly what she thinks of him.

Did you always know that Felicity's storyline would explore Restorative Justice?

"I actually had no idea that this is where the story was going. I knew that there'd be a sexual assault storyline, so that was all I paid attention to at first. We did that and researched all of that.

"The head writer told me later on: 'We're actually going to do Restorative Justice, where Felicity meets her attacker'. So then I had to start getting ready for all of that."

No, but that's why it was so great. When the head writer Lou [Louise Bowes] told me, I didn't even know it was a thing. It allowed me to educate myself and understand that people can do this – they can meet their attackers, if that's going to bring them clarity or some form of cleansing.

"My God, it's scary – it's pretty amazing that it's a thing. You just have to be very sane, very prepared, very courageous – so my respect goes out to all of those people who have actually done this in real life, because I can imagine it being very, very hard."

What does Felicity hope to gain from the meeting with Jeremy?

"Felicity is hoping to get closure. She cannot get over this and I don't think she ever will, in the sense that it'll always be with her. She's always going to struggle with it.

"Felicity needs to say her piece to this man and have him hear what she has to say. Once the words come out of her mouth, that's the cleansing and closure she needed so that she can try to move on and live her life.

"Afterwards, Felicity knows that she's done everything she can and this horrible person has heard what she had to say. Felicity has found her voice as a woman and as a human, which was a very important point. You need to speak your truth. This was her doing that and it was completely valid and the right thing to do."

Did you like that the show explored Eden, Mac, Cash and Harper all expressing different views on Restorative Justice?

"I did – that's very human. Everyone has their own opinion and that's what happens in real life. That was really nice to develop and reflect on screen: 'How would you feel if your best friend was going through this? What would your advice be to them?'

"It's a really tough call and again for your partner, your brother, your family, it's a really hard thing. Everyone just wants you to be safe and healthy, so they might wonder if this is going to make things worse.

"That's another really valid point, so it was really nice to hear everyone's point of view and show the audience that. It allows the viewers to make their own minds up – you're not being force-fed that it has to be this one way."

How was it to film the moment where Felicity confronts Jeremy?

"It was just a really well-written scene, so I was lucky. It started off soft with nerves from Felicity, because you can imagine her thinking: 'How can I speak to this person?' But then, when she can't take it anymore, it all just comes out.

"I was actually really struggling with that scene. I was working with the director Ian Watson, who is incredible. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to direct it, as he's so good.

"I was holding back as an actress. I was holding my performance back and I think it was because I was so scared. I knew that if I let it rip, it was going to be really intense.

"So there was a little bit of Felicity and a little bit of Jacqui holding back a lot. I was just scared but then Ian said: 'You have to let it out, Jacq!'

"I put a lot of pressure on myself, because I knew this was 'the scene'. This is the end of this storyline. This is the moment where Felicity says her piece."

How did things go from there?

"I finally got over myself and that's what we see on screen. Actually, there was a different edit of that scene, which I didn't like because they held back on it in the edit too.

"I went to the producers and I was like: 'You can't do that!' I mean, it's not 'can't' as I don't get a say! (Laughs.) But I was like: 'Guys, this is a really important scene. This needs to be big, powerful and strong and we need to go all-out'. So we ended up re-editing it.

"So there was a lot going on and it was actually a lot harder than it maybe looked."

How was it to work with James Dyke, who played Jeremy?

"I couldn't have been more lucky. James is a beautiful, beautiful man and such an incredible actor. He was so great to play off in that scene. He was just so open and it was so fun as an actress to play alongside him.

"It just made it so much easier. Honestly, I didn't have to do much – he was really good at playing a dick! Which he's not in real life – he's absolutely beautiful."

Tane isn't happy when he finds out that Felicity went ahead with the meeting without speaking to him. How does that play out?

"It was really nice to unravel how a partner goes through this horrible situation as well. It's not just Felicity – everyone surrounding her has to go through it too.

"It was really cool for Ethan [Browne, who plays Tane] to be able to play those themes and show this to the audience: 'What do you do as a partner? How do you deal with this?' Which I'm sure many people have gone through in real life. It was really cool to have that story and Ethan did a really lovely job.

"Flick is keeping it from Tane because there's so much shame around it. She doesn't want to have to believe that this is a real thing. It makes her feel dirty, it makes her feel used and horrible. All she wants when she's with her husband is to feel loved, beautiful and sexy – but there's a horrible cloud following them around all the time.

"At first Felicity wanted to act like it wasn't real, but it is and that's what Felicity and Tane then work through together. That's a really beautiful thing to see – two partners working as a team."

When you finish such a big story, do you hope for a break from the drama or are you always looking for the next major storyline?

"Oh my gosh, I'm hanging out for the next one – I didn't want to stop! It's so much fun when you get such a gritty storyline. As an actor, it's a dream because you just get to practice and do all these amazing things.

"I will say, though, I was physically and mentally exhausted. But my idea of a break is like a day and then I want to get back into it and keep going! (Laughs.) The writers have been a little too nice and have given me a bit of a break – more than I wanted! I'm just hanging out for the next big storyline."

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.