After more than three decades playing Irene Roberts on Home and Away, actor Lynne McGranger has reflected on the emotional final storyline that marked the end of her beloved character’s journey.
McGranger’s final scenes saw Irene diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease before deciding to sell her home and travel while she still could, a storyline the actor says was deeply personal for many involved in the show.
“I was hammered,” McGranger told TV WEEK.
“We wanted to do justice to this storyline about dementia.”
She revealed the storyline was inspired by the real-life story of co-star Jess Redmayne’s mum.
“The idea came from Jess Redmayne’s mum, who sadly was diagnosed with early onset dementia in her 50s and passed away a few years ago,” McGranger explained.
“She was my age. It was beautifully done and it made me very happy because of that, but it was also incredibly sad.”
McGranger won both the Silver Logie for Best Lead Actress in a Drama and the Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television at the 2025 Logie Awards.
“Don’t forget about the Silver Logie!” she said.
“That was the one that blindsided me. I got such a shock. I look back at the speech and think, ‘I do not know what I’m saying up there.’
“Then to win the Gold as well was just delightful. It was kind of like the full stop at the end. The T was crossed. The I’s were dotted. I couldn’t have written the script better myself.”
Now stepping away from the long-running soap after 33 years, McGranger said she is looking forward to exploring new opportunities, including theatre work.
“You spend your day acting, then spewing out lines, ideally getting them remotely right, and then going home and preparing for the next day,” she said.
“Whilst it keeps the brain nice and active, there’s no room for anything else. I do enjoy not having to do that anymore.”
“That doesn’t mean to say I would turn my nose up at a short television stint. I would love that. But I don’t think I’ll be doing another 33 years anytime soon.”
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