Peter Rivers is a series regular in series one through three of Heartbreak High. He is portrayed by Scott Major.
The Heartbreak Kid (1987–1993)[]
The character is partially based on John Rivers, also played by Scott Major, from the 1993 film The Heartbreak Kid. Rivers is a rugby player and rival of Nick's at his inner city Melbourne school. He is mentioned in dialogue in the 1987 play of the same name, where he is blamed by Con for writing graffiti calling Papa a "slut".
Heartbreak High (1994–1995)[]
Peter Rivers is the troubled bad boy of Hartley High, and a rugby player on Southgate's team. He is portrayed initially as a bully, constantly antagonising the other students with his best friend Alan Bolton. He endured a rough childhood, his mother is an alcoholic, and his father and brother are career criminals currently in prison. He is often in trouble with the law.
Storylines[]
Rivers begins showing a softer side when he develops a close relationship with Chaka. They go on in a date in Episode 12, and it is implied that they have sex at the end of the episode, however their relationship never really gets off the ground before she moves to Darwin in Episode 14. He starts dating Katerina from Episode 23.
When his mother's drinking problem makes living at home unbearable, Rivers moves out and into The Warehouse with Steve and Jodie from Episode 26, using the back of his ute for a bed.
Rivers' relationship with Katerina becomes increasingly strained when she admits she's still a virgin and refuses to have sex with him. When Katerina walks in on Rivers kissing Danielle in Episode 28, she dumps him and moves back to Greece.
Rivers is immediately attracted to the new teacher, Sam, when she arrives at Hartley, sharing her passion for motorcycles and offering to help work on her bike. However, when Deloraine witness Rivers' overbearing attempts to seduce her, he suspends him for sexually harassing a teacher. Sam eventually convinces him to return to school, and the two grow closer, eventually giving into temptation and having sex in Episode 35. Their illicit affair is exposed in Episode 36, and Deloraine forces Sam to leave Hartley so he doesn't have to report her to authorities.
Sam returns to Hartley from Episode 53, although she refuses Rivers' advances. When Katerina returns from Greece in Episode 54, she blackmails him into rekindling their relationship, however he cannot get over his relationship with Sam, and him and Katerina break up for good.
Rivers' feelings for Sam inspire him to work harder at school, eventually developing a talent as a poet and writer, and directing the school's production of Romeo and Juliet. Eventually, he and Sam get back together, and are caught by Andrew having sex in the school's dark room. With her future at Hartley over, Sam and Rivers run off together "up North" for a new life together.
Where Are They Now?[]
"Set up house with ex Hartley High School teacher, Sam Robinson, in down town Mackay. She's teaching and he's at TAFE doing his HSC. Could there be a baby on the way? She traded in her motor bike for a station wagon..."[1]
In the reboot, he is the father of Darren Rivers.
Title cards
| Heartbreak High series regulars |
|---|
| Nick ∙ Christina ∙ Rose ∙ Con ∙ Danielle ∙ Steve ∙ Yola ∙ Rivers ∙ Jodie ∙ Chaka ∙ Jack ∙ Southgate ∙ Graham ∙ Deloraine ∙ Ruby ∙ Irini ∙ George ∙ Effie ∙ Stella ∙ Katerina ∙ Helen ∙ Roberto ∙ Sam ∙ Lucy ∙ Matt ∙ Allie ∙ Andrew ∙ Bolton ∙ Ronnie ∙ Dyson ∙ Declan ∙ Stassy ∙ Tom ∙ Charlie ∙ Melanie ∙ Ryan ∙ Anita ∙ Hilary ∙ Drazic ∙ Les ∙ Mai ∙ Nikki ∙ Kurt ∙ Di Barnett ∙ Albers ∙ Sarah ∙ Kath ∙ D'Espo ∙ Lee ∙ Jill ∙ Nat ∙ Dennis ∙ Thania ∙ Gemma ∙ Zac ∙ Jackie ∙ Carson ∙ Marco ∙ Tess ∙ Tim |