(Photography: Getty)
Lynne McGranger is entering a new era of her life. In 1993, she joined the cast of Home and Away as Irene Roberts and since then, she has become the longest-serving female cast member in Australian soap opera history with about 33 years on the show.
But in February, she announced she’s stepping away from the screen, and heading back to the stage where it all began.
Joh caught up with Lynne McGranger to discuss her busy retirement plans, Logie Award wins, and farewelling Home and Away.
Why is Lynne McGranger leaving Home and Away?
Ironically, Lynne McGranger is returning to where her acting career began – on stage. Previously, Lynne starred in shows like Bye Bye Birdie and West Side Story, before landing her breakout role on Home and Away.
“I started out in theatre, touring regionally and cities, and that’s exactly what I’m doing now – cruising with The Grandparents Club,” Lynne said.
The Grandparents Club is a musical comedy focusing on grandparent life. It’s a feel-good show that features catchy tunes and relatable characters with all the joys and challenges, from baby-sitting to teen-angst, that many face during that time of life.
“I think the population is aging, and whether you are a grandparent or not has nothing to do with it. We’ve all been grandchildren, and we all know grandparents,” she said.
“Our lovely cast are all so comfortable with a live audience, and we play with the audience and we have such fun.”
Why is Lynne retiring now?
Lynne is about to cruise into a great and exciting new chapter of her life. But retirement doesn’t mean slowing down, in fact, she told Joh that it’s been really busy.
“I really haven’t stopped, but I’m in my happy place, I quite like it,” she said. “It’s been wonderful and I feel absolutely blessed, it’s like winning the acting lotto. But I know now, it was the right time.”
How does Irene leave Home and Away in 2025?
After spending over three decades on Home and Away, saying goodbye wasn’t easy. But Lynne shared that the friendships she made are ones she will keep close forever.
“I’m a great believer that people come into your life for a reason, or a season, or a lifetime, and many of the people on Home and Away have come into my life for a lifetime,” she said.
How is Irene being written out of Home and Away?
Lynne revealed she had a say in how they wrote Irene out of Home and Away, and she shared with Joh just how they came to the decision.
“One of my beautiful co-workers, her mum sadly passed away in the last year or so, of early-onset Alzheimer’s dementia, and I thought, I don’t think that’s been done very much at all on Australian television,” she said.
Lynne’s final scenes on Home and Away will air sometime in August where Irene Roberts will be diagnosed with dementia.
Lynne’s Gold Logie win
At the TV Week Logie Awards, Lynne was nominated for a Gold Logie, which she won, alongside a silver Logie for best lead actress in a drama.
“It was absolutely remarkable. I still get a bit teary thinking about it. I just want to really thank everyone who got behind me, my friends, my family, my lovely fans on the show. My Logie will live next to my Dancing with the Stars runner-up trophy.”
Is Lynne McGranger returning to Home and Away?
While we will never say never, Lynne McGranger has retired from the show to chase other passions.
