Home & Away’s Lynne McGranger on why she quit after 32 years as Irene – and what the future holds

And don’t forget: Irene’s final episode airs on 5 on Wednesday 1st October.

Why did you decide to leave Home and Away?

I’d been considering a change for a while – a year or two, actually. I was tired of the early mornings and filming in tough conditions, and I really wanted to get back to theatre. I’d toured with a play called The Grandparents Club and rediscovered how much I loved it – theatre is where I began my career, and it felt like the right place for me to be again.

What inspired you to suggest the Alzheimer’s storyline for Irene’s exit?

It feels like Alzheimer’s disease is becoming increasingly prevalent, with almost everyone knowing someone affected by it. Despite this, it’s surprisingly rare to see the condition discussed on Australian TV.

My coworker, Jessica Redmayne, who plays Harper, shared that her mother was diagnosed with the condition in her mid-50s and went through a very difficult experience. I relied on Jess a lot for information and understanding.

Were you nervous about tackling the subject?

As a lifelong movie fan, I really wanted to get this story right. Thankfully, I haven’t personally experienced Alzheimer’s within my family, so I did a lot of research – talking to people and reading everything I could find. Irene is such a beloved character on the show, and a real icon, so we felt a huge responsibility to do justice to her storyline and, more importantly, to represent the experiences of those living with Alzheimer’s and their families with the respect and sensitivity it deserves. It was crucial that we handled the story with delicacy and honesty.

Did you suggest that we don’t show Irene getting sick on screen, and instead have her final days happen away from the camera?

I initially thought Alzheimer’s disease would be a fitting storyline, but the writers and producers preferred a more hopeful conclusion. They didn’t want to create something overly depressing or traumatizing for viewers, and wanted to offer a positive message. They reasoned that a breakthrough treatment could be discovered at any time, so maintaining some optimism felt right.

What was the hardest scene to film in your final few weeks?

Because filming isn’t always done in order, my final scene actually involved handing over the diner to Leah. Ada Nicodemou, who plays Leah, and I were both so emotional we could barely stop crying! We’d spent the last month crying during all our scenes together. I also have a strong memory of Irene sharing her diagnosis with John and Leah – it was a really moving scene. Knowing it was the end was tough for both us actors and the characters we played.

Did you think you’d play Irene for this long?

Honestly, there was no way I could have predicted this! I initially took the job for three months when my daughter, Clancy, was just twenty months old. After that, they asked me to extend for another six months, possibly even a year. Then my husband, Paul, had to leave his job to care for Clancy, and they just kept offering me extensions – it just went on and on!

Would you be friends with Irene in real life?

I have to say, I really like Irene. She instantly made me think of a friend – I might have even subconsciously modeled her after her! My friend is wonderfully direct, always saying exactly what she thinks. I tend to be more cautious, I admit. I have my opinions, but I really avoid conflict. Irene, though? She *loves* a good debate! It’s something I genuinely admire about her – she’s so fearless and outspoken. She’s definitely a character, and I think we’d actually get along, even if we are quite different personalities – a bit of a push and pull, but a fun one, I suspect.

Why has she been so popular?

People connect with Irene because she’s relatable – she’s not perfect. Like all of us, she’s capable of surprising actions. It was shocking to see her nearly attack a home invader, and the attempted murder charge felt extreme, but it showed she reacts to situations like a real person. What’s more, she’s honest about her mistakes, and that’s something people appreciate.

Home and Away airs weekdays at 1:45pm on 5.

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