Channel Nine’s most daring new reality experiment was meant to make waves in 2026. Instead, Shark!—a high-risk, celebrity-fronted series designed to push stars

to confront their deepest fears—has found itself surrounded by controversy, quiet delays, and mounting industry speculation. Now, with the full cast list finally revealed,

attention has shifted from the show’s thrill-seeking premise to the unsettling reasons why its long-anticipated debut has been pushed back.

Hosted by The Block stalwart Scott Cam, Shark! was conceived as Nine’s next major post-Married At First Sight event series. The format is simple but extreme: well-known Australian figures are plunged—literally—into shark-infested waters, guided by marine experts as they attempt to face terror head-on. Equal parts psychological endurance test and physical challenge, the show was pitched as empowering, emotional, and visually spectacular.

But behind the scenes, the project has been anything but smooth sailing.

Insiders have now confirmed the full celebrity lineup, and it is a mix designed to draw curiosity, admiration, and no small amount of disbelief. Influencer and fitness mogul Tammy Hembrow headlines the cast, alongside former NRL star Sam Thaiday, actor Matt Nable, Olympic swimming champion Ariarne Titmus, and—most unexpectedly—Home and Away icon Lynne McGranger.

It is McGranger’s participation that has truly stunned the television industry.

At 73, and fresh from her emotional exit as Irene Roberts after more than three decades on Home and Away, McGranger’s leap into a fear-based reality series on a rival network has raised serious questions. For years, she was synonymous with Channel Seven, her portrayal of Irene making her one of Australian television’s most recognisable and beloved faces. Her swift move to Channel Nine marks her first major role with a competing broadcaster—and insiders say it may not be as simple as a fresh career chapter.

Insiders have revealed the full cast line-up for the bizarre new reality TV series Shark!, set to be hosted by The Block star Scott Cam, 63, on Channel Nine this year

A source tells Daily Mail some big hitters are slated for the new post-MAFS show, which sees celebrities face their fears by swimming in shark-infested waters. Pictured: Tammy Hembrow

Along with Tammy Hembrow, familiar faces set to appear on the series are Sam Thaiday, Matt Nable, Ariarne Titmus, and Home and Away’s own Lynne McGranger, 73

Former rugby player Sam Thaiday, 40, will also be making an appearance. Pictured with wife Rachel Thaiday

“For someone so closely tied to Seven to jump straight to Nine is massive,” one television insider revealed. “It suggests the public goodbye may not tell the whole story.”

While McGranger publicly expressed gratitude to Home and Away producers following Irene’s farewell, multiple sources now claim her departure was not entirely her decision. According to those close to production, the call to write out Irene was made by the network, not the actress herself—a claim that has fuelled fan outrage and ongoing speculation.

“There’s a growing belief she didn’t choose to leave,” the insider said. “And Shark! may be where she finally speaks openly about it.”

Irene’s exit sparked an emotional backlash among longtime viewers, many accusing Channel Seven of discarding a cornerstone of the show. Critics argued the network leaned heavily into dramatic storylines and farewell episodes to soften the blow—capitalising on audience emotion while quietly moving on from one of its most iconic characters.

“They turned it into an event because they knew how loved Irene was,” the source said. “But behind the scenes, it wasn’t the happy ending fans were led to believe.”

In that context, McGranger’s involvement in Shark! is being interpreted by some as a subtle but pointed statement—a sign of moving forward after disappointment rather than a sudden desire to reinvent herself as a reality TV personality.

“She’s stayed dignified,” another insider said. “But people close to her say she’s ready to talk when the time is right.”

Yet even as the cast reveal dominates headlines, it is the show’s unexplained delay that has cast the longest shadow.

Originally scheduled to premiere immediately after Married At First Sight in 2026, Shark! has now been quietly pushed to the end of the year. Channel Nine has offered no public explanation, but sources say the decision was driven by growing unease following a series of devastating real-life shark attacks across Australia.

The most recent fatal incident, which claimed the life of a young boy in Sydney, reignited nationwide fear and debate around ocean safety. With shark encounters dominating headlines and public sentiment shifting rapidly, executives reportedly became increasingly uncomfortable launching a program centred on celebrities swimming with sharks.

“The timing suddenly felt completely wrong,” a source close to production said. “Families were grieving real tragedies. Rolling out a show built around shark fear just didn’t sit right.”

Filmed in the Bahamas, Shark! was intended to thrill audiences with breathtaking underwater footage and emotional breakthroughs as participants faced their fears. But as shark attacks became daily news, the tone of the project shifted from daring to potentially insensitive.

“What once felt exciting suddenly felt uncomfortable,” the source explained. “Watching celebrities panic in the water while the country was mourning real victims was a terrible look.”

Behind closed doors, Nine executives are said to have acted swiftly, pulling the show from its original slot to avoid backlash before the first episode even aired. The decision was not taken lightly. Shark! is reportedly one of the network’s biggest new productions, with a significant budget, overseas filming, and high expectations riding on its success.

Adding to the concern is the format’s mixed track record internationally. Similar celebrity-meets-sharks concepts in the US and UK were quietly cancelled after a single season, failing to connect with audiences despite heavy promotion.

“Nine was already taking a gamble,” an industry insider said. “The shark attacks just made that risk much bigger.”

While the network remains publicly silent, those within television circles say the delay is as much about ratings survival as it is about sensitivity. Executives are now hoping that time—and distance from current headlines—will soften public reaction before revisiting the show’s release.

For now, Shark! remains shelved, with post-production set to begin in the coming weeks. Whether audiences will ultimately embrace the concept remains an open question.

“Sharks aren’t just entertainment right now,” one source said. “They’re a real fear for Australians.”

Channel Nine may have assembled a headline-grabbing cast, but the show’s future hinges on whether viewers are ready to separate televised thrills from real-world tragedy. And for Lynne McGranger, Shark! could become more than a reality experiment—it may be the moment she finally tells her side of a story fans have been questioning all along.