Home and Away says goodbye to a legend
After 33 years, it’s time to farewell the iconic Irene Roberts
It’s the television event 33 years in the making.
Home and Away is hurtling towards one of its most emotional and unmissable storylines yet, as Irene Roberts – played by the legendary Lynne McGranger – prepares to say goodbye in the coming months.
After over three decades as the Bay’s tough-talking, big-hearted battler, Irene’s gripping final storyline is now in motion, and it will have all of Australia talking.
In recent weeks, Irene has experienced a series of alarming memory lapses, including a concerning incident where she forgot she was babysitting Archie and nearly left him home alone.
Next week, Irene takes her first step toward confronting the truth. With the support of her dear friend John Palmer (Shane Withington), she bravely meets with Dr Bree Cameron (Juliet Godwin) for a medical consultation. It’s there that Irene is faced with a gut-wrenching reality. There’s no coming back from this one.
As word spreads, the Bay will rally to support one of its most beloved residents through her biggest challenge yet, building towards an episode that will go down in Australian television history.
Lynne McGranger, who is nominated for both a Silver and Gold Logie at this year’s 65th TV WEEK Logie Awards, announced in February that she had made the bittersweet decision to leave Home and Away after nearly 33 incredible years.
On her decision to leave Home and Away, Lynne said: “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. I am forever grateful to the best production crew in the world and to our genius writers – whose doors are always open – for everything they have done for Irene over the past 33-odd years, and 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.”
Don’t miss a moment as Home and Away counts down to the departure of a television icon.
I haven’t watched Home and Away much over the last 16 years I watch Neighbours but congrats to Lynne Irene Mcgranger for 33 exciting years on Home and Away you have been in riveting storylines over the years.I hope you pop up in a new show with your old pals Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne?
From the FB page of Seven Perth
Say goodbye to a TV legend. As we head towards the departure of one of Summer Bay’s most iconic faces you can be a part of Irene’s farewell.
Help us give Irene the send-off she deserves by sharing your personal message or favourite Irene moment from over the years. Your words could be featured in Home and Away’s special Goodbye Irene campaign in the lead up to her emotional final episodes
A very touching moment in tonight’s episode when they showed extended footage of Chris Harrington (Johnny Ruffo) when they showed a montage of people Irene knew in the Bay. It’s been mentioned many times that Lynne and Johnny were very close.
Home and Away heads west
Australia’s #1 drama series set to film massive storyline in Western Australia
For the first time in its 37-year history, Home and Away is heading west – with an ambitious, high-stakes storyline set to be filmed against the stunning natural beauty of Western Australia.
In partnership with Tourism Western Australia, this special Home and Away event will see the show trade the familiar sands of Summer Bay for the vast and varied landscapes of WA – from cosmopolitan Perth to its rugged coastline and expansive red outback. Filming will take place in October at several locations across the state.
While storyline and casting details are being kept tightly under wraps, producers promise that Western Australia will take centre stage.
Home and Away Series Producer, Lucy Addario, said: “Our cast and crew are beyond excited to be filming in Western Australia – a first for Home and Away. Its awe-inspiring beauty, diverse landscapes and sheer scale make it the perfect backdrop for this huge storyline. Working with the Tourism Western Australia team has been an absolute joy and we can’t wait for audiences to fall in love with WA like we have.”
The special Home and Away event will premiere in 2026 on Seven and 7plus.
Coinciding with the stars’ visit to the Perth Telethon no doubt.
From Western Australian Government
Closer each day to Home and Away filming in WA
- Iconic Australian TV drama Home and Away to film five special episodes in WA
- Broadcast to reach audiences across Australia and 50 international markets
- WA episodes filmed at iconic locations across the State in October 2025
- Supported by the Cook Government, through Tourism WA
One of Australia’s most iconic television series, Home and Away, will find a temporary home in Western Australia later this year.
Five special episodes will be filmed in October at iconic locations across the State, shining a spotlight on WA’s coastal scenery, vibrant cities, and unique tourism experiences.
Supported by the Cook Government, through Tourism WA, this high-profile media opportunity will showcase the State to audiences across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and close to 50 other international markets.
The WA episodes are expected to air in 2026 and will be supported by a national promotional campaign featuring teaser content and location highlights.
The UK is WA’s largest international market by visitor numbers, and has a strong Home and Away fan base, with 250,000 UK-based viewers per episode, presenting a huge opportunity to promote WA as a must-visit destination.
In 2024 alone, more than 117,000 visitors from the UK travelled to WA and spent nearly $240 million in the State.
As the nation’s longest-running drama series, Home and Away has been a staple of Australian television for more than three decades, with each episode drawing more than one million viewers across its key global markets.
Filming Home and Away in Western Australia is just another example of the Cook Government’s strategy to diversify our economy through showcasing our State into key interstate and international markets and attracting out-of-State visitors.
The partnership is part of ongoing efforts to promote WA through compelling storytelling and strategic partnerships, inspiring audiences to explore the State’s unique landscapes, culture and experiences, and ultimately choose WA as their next holiday destination.
Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Reece Whitby:
"From Summer Bay to WA, we are thrilled to welcome one of Australia’s most iconic television shows to our State.
"Home and Away has been a staple of Australian television for close to 40 years, and this special WA storyline presents a great opportunity to showcase the State to millions of viewers across the country and around the world.
"When our pristine coastline and diverse tourism experiences are broadcast to homes across the country and overseas next year, we encourage viewers to come and see these spectacular locations for themselves.
“It’s all part of our broader economic diversification strategy to boost visitor numbers to WA by sharing the unique stories, people, and places that make our State a premier holiday destination.”
Closer each day, in WA…
Theo and Lacey go on a holiday to WA and are chased by some criminals in the Pilbara ?
Theo’s contract is probably up pretty soon unfortunately so I doubt he’ll be on the show when the WA scenes are due to air.
Think he is past his inital 3 year contract as he joined in 2021
I hope he stays longer
Oh maybe Ric & Matilda are making a cameo in the show 
Apparently Mackenzie started in 2019? Time flies ..
I remember as a kid they filmed in the UK and I swear Marilyn was in the street and said hello to some popular girl band at the time but I can’t find anything online about it .
As for 2012 when they filmed in Melbourne it must have been boring as I can’t remember it .
I remember them filming the scenes with Biance and Heath Casey etc was in the outback somewhere though.
Marilyn was with Atomic Kitten.Where can I watch Home and Away episodes from 1996- 2012 full ones years ago 7Two aired 1988-1995 EPs which would probably be on YouTube?
There are random episodes on YouTube and there is a channel on 7Plus season 1 is available on Prime Video.
Really? I cant get it on mine
AFAIK it’s only available in the United Kingdom.