In a revelation that will stun fans of the long-running Australian soap, Lynne McGranger, the beloved actress behind Summer Bay's matriarch Irene Roberts, has confessed she came within a hair's breadth of abandoning the show after a mere six weeks.
The 71-year-old actress, who has become a cornerstone of Home and Away since 1993, admitted that the initial pace and pressure of television soap production almost drove her away. McGranger described the gruelling schedule as a 'rude awakening' compared to her previous work in theatre.
From Temporary Gig to Three-Decade Legacy
What began as a temporary, three-month contract has astonishingly stretched into a 31-year tenure, making McGranger one of the most recognisable faces on Australian television. She detailed how her character, Irene, was originally introduced as a 'brassy, loud, chain-smoking, gambling alcoholic' – a far cry from the pillar of the community she has evolved into.
McGranger credits the show's writers for Irene's remarkable redemption arc, a journey that has seen the character face everything from homelessness and cancer to becoming a foster car for countless Summer Bay teens.
A Career of Memorable Moments
Speaking on the Soap From The Box podcast, the actress reflected on her most challenging and rewarding storylines. She pinpointed Irene's battle with breast cancer as a particularly poignant plot, praising the show's handling of the sensitive issue.
Despite her initial doubts, McGranger now expresses immense gratitude for her enduring career on the show. She acknowledges the unique privilege of portraying a character with such depth and history, a rarity in the fast-paced world of television drama.
With no plans to leave the sun-drenched shores of Summer Bay, Lynne McGranger's story stands as a testament to how a rocky start can blossom into a legendary television career, endearing her to millions of viewers across the UK on ITV and around the globe.
