One actor’s return to the soap opera has caused quite a stir on social media.

Home and Away's Nicholas Cartwright / Jeremy Lindsay Taylor.

Home and Away fans have been left divided over Jeremy Lindsay Taylor’s return to the series. Photos: Channel 7

In the 37 years since Home and Away first premiered on TV, there have been several occasions where a character has been recast with a different actor. Lynne McGranger famously took over the role of Irene Roberts from Jacqy Phillips in 1993, while Georgie Parker began portraying Roo Stewart in 2010, 22 years after Justine Clarke originated the role.

What’s less common, however, is an actor returning to the soap opera as a completely different character. It was recently announced that Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, who played Detective Dylan Carter in 34 episodes of the show in 2016, would be returning as Sergeant David Langham, the new sergeant at Yabbie Creek police station.

Jeremy’s new character is the estranged father of Lacey Miller, played by Sophea Pennington, who has been ‘missing’ for six months. While Dylan Carter was known as a corrupt cop in Summer Bay, David Langham has been described as a “devoted family man” and the show’s moral compass.

“I’ve played at least five or six cops in my career, but [David] is definitely my favourite,” Jeremy told PerthNow. “He’s very by-the-book – they need that in Summer Bay!”

Home and Away's Jeremy Lindsay Taylor as Detective Dylan Carter / Jeremy Lindsay Taylor as Sergeant David Langham.

Jeremy Lindsay Taylor played Detective Dylan Carter in 2016 and now plays Sergeant David Langham. Photos: Channel 7

Following Jeremy’s recent return to the show, many viewers have taken to social media to criticise the “ridiculous” casting decision.

“What? They can’t get different actors? Geez,” one person wrote, while another added, “Surely we have enough actors in Australia without recycling one that was killed off”.

“Oh come on Channel 7, what are we supposed to like him now he’s a different officer?” a third remarked, followed by someone else who said, “Stupid recycling actors when we only remember them as what we first saw them as”.

“To bring him back as a different character is an insult to my intelligence and doesn’t fly well with me,” a different user shared, with another commenting, “Yes, it’s confusing when an actor plays a different part in the same show”.

Meanwhile, others acknowledged it might take them some time to get used to Jeremy playing a different character, but said they were excited for his return to the show.

“I actually love how they get a chance to come back and play a different character, and who can complain as Jeremy is a very good actor, and it seems that he’s not another bad cop, so that makes it good,” one fan said.

“Really, does it matter as long as we are getting to watch Home and Away, who cares it was 9 years ago, so just enjoy the show,” another argued, while someone else remarked, “It is important to have seasoned actors and not just newbies who haven’t acted before”.

Jeremy Lindsay Taylor rose to fame as Kurt Peterson on Heartbreak High from 1997 to 1999. He later appeared in City Homicide, Underbelly: Razor, Puberty Blues, The Claremont Murders and The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, and recently starred in The Last Anniversary, which is executive produced by Nicole Kidman.

He’s also had roles in The Dry and Force of Nature: The Dry 2 alongside Eric Bana, and has been developing his directing career in recent years, with two feature films, a miniseries and a short film in the works.