Actor Lynne McGranger has wrapped up her final scene on Home and Away after an extraordinary 33-year run, portraying one of Australian TV’s most beloved characters — Irene Roberts.
McGranger filmed her last scene on the iconic “Pier Diner” set at Seven’s Eveleigh Studios in Sydney on Wednesday.
The cast and crew gathered to watch as she filmed her final moments, and the room erupted in applause as she exited the studio doors for the very last time.
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Producer Lucy Addario presented McGranger with a bouquet of flowers from the Home and Away production team as a heartfelt tribute.
In a nod to the show’s history, McGranger was also gifted a “Hamburger Phone”, a symbolic reference to the famous prop from the Diner.
McGranger expressed her gratitude, saying: “I’ve had the ride of my life. And I love each and every one of you so much: The cast – Ray, Georgie, Emily, Shane, Ada, James, all the youngins.
“The art department, the writers, everybody – there’s so many unsung heroes. This show is made up of so many parts.
“You’re all amazing, and it’s been my great privilege to work with each and every one of you.
“I’m touched, I’m humbled and I’m so honored. Thank you so much.”
Though McGranger’s time on set has come to an end, her character’s emotional exit storyline will continue to captivate viewers for months to come.
McGranger, a Logie-nominated actor, has become part of the heart and soul of Summer Bay since her on-screen debut in January 1993, when she took over the popular role and quickly stole the hearts of the nation with iconic ‘Irene-isms’ and classic eyerolls.
The character Irene, a recovered alcoholic, returned to Summer Bay in the 1993 series premiere having turned her life around and with hopes to reconnect with her daughter, Fin (Tina Thomsen).
Since then, Irene has become part of the fabric of the tight-knit seaside community, having taken in multiple foster children.
She has been at the centre of many of Home and Away’s biggest storylines, including her battle with alcoholism; a breast cancer diagnosis; a long-lost son; a ferry boat sinking; a bomb explosion; a plane crash; and even a stint in prison for a murder she did not commit.
But despite the challenges she endured over the years, Irene’s resilience and tell-it-like-it-is nature made her a force to be reckoned with.
When not serving customers at the Pier Diner, the Summer Bay mainstay could often be found dishing out advice or offering a friendly ear over a cuppa.
Irene was not only a beloved fan-favourite, but her numerous colloquialisms and catchphrases (“girly”, “darl”, “flippin’ heck!”) have become embedded in Australian pop culture, with TV WEEK ranking her the second Greatest Australian TV Character Of All Time, as voted by readers in a 2023 poll.
