Long-time Home and Away Star Lynne McGranger Announces Departure After 33 Years
Lynne McGranger, the beloved actress from Home and Away, has announced her departure from the show later this year after nearly 33 years on air.
As the longest-serving female actor on the iconic Seven soap opera, McGranger has graced our screens since January 1993, portraying the resilient Irene Roberts, who has navigated challenges ranging from alcoholism and breast cancer to prison time and a plane crash.
“It’s bittersweet to close the chapter on what has been the best and longest-running role of my life,” McGranger, 72, shared in a heartfelt statement released by Seven. “After almost 33 years in my dream role and working alongside people I love, respect, and now consider family, I am filled with gratitude.”
She expressed her appreciation for the dedicated production crew and talented writers, stating, “I am so proud of the storyline that will see Irene leave the Bay. Above all, a massive, heartfelt thank you to the fans for your unwavering love and support.”
In addition to her work on Home and Away, McGranger was the runner-up in the 2014 season of Seven’s Dancing With The Stars and published her memoir, Acting Up: Me, Myself and Irene, in 2021. In her book, she revealed a shocking moment when she discovered she had almost been written off the show during a live radio interview in 2019, a situation that occurred way back in 2002.
Despite the near miss, Irene has remained a staple in Summer Bay for more than two decades and was recently ranked second in a TV Week poll of the Greatest Australian TV Characters of All Time.
McGranger plans to film her final scenes at the end of March, although they won’t air until later in the year. Following her departure from the series, she intends to take a brief hiatus before embarking on an Australian tour for her comedy show.
