Home and Away fans, prepare to bawl your eyes out like a little girl who lost her Barbie car. Irene is leaving the show. Nooo!
Almost as long-running as the Old Moore’s Almanac, Home and Away is an Aussie soap Opera that, like Neighbours, got its hooks into Irish audiences. It got its hooks in deeeep.
The Aussie show, full of sunshine and beach air, is one of the highest-rating shows on RTÉ. The same episode is still shown twice a day. Firstly in the early afternoon on RTÉ 1. Then it is shown for a second time in the early evening on RTÉ 2.
Sadly for long-time viewers, central figure Irene, aka Lynne McGranger, is hoofing it out of the soap opera. This was announced by Home and Away’s official Instagram account.
After an incredible 32 years, Lynne McGranger is bidding farewell to Summer Bay, stepping away from her iconic role as Irene Roberts. McGranger, who first graced the show in January 1993, has become a fixture in households worldwide.
“After almost 33 years in my dream role and working every day with people who I love, respect and whom I now consider family, it’s bittersweet to be closing the chapter on what has been the best and longest gig of my life,” McGranger said in an official statement.
She also said she was grateful to the best production crew in the world and to the “genius writers – whose doors are always open” for everything they have done over the past 33 years. “I am so proud of the storyline which will see Irene out of the Bay. Above all, a massive, heartfelt thank you to the fans for your continued love and support.”
Irene’s Home and Away Character
Irene Roberts, with her warm heart and often turbulent life, has been at the center of some of Home and Away’s most dramatic storylines. She has battled alcoholism, she has navigated a breast cancer diagnosis, she has discovered a long-lost son, survived a ferry disaster, and a bomb explosion, plus a plane crash. She has even faced wrongful imprisonment. Irene’s journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions.
McGranger’s final scenes will be filmed at the end of March, with her on-screen departure expected later this year. The show promises an emotional exit storyline, gearing up for an unmissable farewell that will go down in Summer Bay history.
However, to understand the true impact of this departure, especially for Irish audiences, it’s crucial to acknowledge the unique relationship between Home and Away and Irish culture. For decades, the soap has been a staple in Irish households, providing a daily dose of sunshine and drama from the shores of Summer Bay.
Home and Away became a cultural phenomenon in Ireland, influencing everything from fashion trends to slang. Irene Roberts, in particular, became a beloved figure, her struggles and triumphs mirroring the everyday experiences of many Irish families.
For many, Home and Away is more than just a soap; it is a window into another world, a source of escapism, and a comforting presence in their lives.
Lynne McGranger’s departure, therefore, signifies not just the end of a character’s journey, but also the conclusion of a significant chapter in the shared cultural experience of many Irish viewers. Hopefully, she will make her way to the Emerald Isle for a well-earned holiday!
Come on over “Irene”..! You are very welcome!
