Irene Roberts may have said her emotional goodbye to Summer Bay, but Lynne McGranger is proving that her story — both on and off screen — is far from over. The Home and Away legend

has stunned fans by revealing a bold new look that couldn’t be more different from the fiery, no-nonsense matriarch she portrayed for more than three decades. As the New Year begins,

McGranger’s transformation feels symbolic: a celebration of reinvention, reflection, and fearless self-expression after one of the most iconic runs in Australian television history.

For 32 unforgettable years, Lynne McGranger was Home and Away. First appearing in 1993, her character Irene Roberts arrived in Summer Bay as a volatile, troubled woman battling alcoholism and estrangement from her children. At the time, few could have predicted that this deeply flawed newcomer would go on to become one of the show’s most beloved figures — or that McGranger herself would become a national treasure.

Irene’s early years were raw and confronting. She was violent, self-destructive, and emotionally fractured, locked in painful conflict with her children Nathan, Damian, and Finlay, who had been removed from her care. These early storylines were uncomfortable viewing, but they laid the foundation for one of the most powerful redemption arcs Australian soaps have ever seen.

As Irene hit rock bottom, viewers watched her claw her way back. Sobriety didn’t come easily, and neither did forgiveness — but through resilience, accountability, and sheer willpower, Irene transformed. Over time, she became a devoted foster parent, opening her heart and home to countless vulnerable children. The woman once defined by chaos evolved into the emotional backbone of Summer Bay — blunt, fiercely loyal, endlessly compassionate, and unapologetically herself.

McGranger navigated Irene through some of the show’s most harrowing storylines: surviving a relationship with a murderer, confronting breast cancer, enduring relapses into alcoholism, and facing life-altering loss. Through it all, Irene emerged as the embodiment of the “Aussie battler” — imperfect but indomitable. She was the woman who said what everyone else was thinking, stood up for the underdog, and loved with her whole heart.

So when Home and Away announced Irene’s departure, fans braced themselves for heartbreak. The show delivered it in devastating fashion. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Irene made the courageous decision to leave the only home she had known for decades and travel the world while she still could. Her farewell was tender, bittersweet, and deeply human — a final gift to viewers who had grown up alongside her.

Now, as 2026 dawns, Lynne McGranger is writing her next chapter — and she’s doing it in unmistakable style.

Taking to social media, McGranger surprised fans by unveiling a striking new look: trading Irene’s iconic fiery red hair for a natural, elegant grey. The image, a warm and confident selfie, instantly went viral among Home and Away fans, sparking an outpouring of admiration and emotion.

“Wishing all my lovely friends a wonderful 2026!” she wrote in the caption, her message radiating gratitude and joy.

She continued with a heartfelt reflection on the year gone by, acknowledging the profound changes she’s experienced both personally and professionally. “Wow! What a year! So many highlights, so many lovely humans along the way. So many pinch-me moments, so much joy and love in my life. Forever grateful, never taking a single moment for granted.”

The post wasn’t just about a hairstyle — it was about embracing time, authenticity, and self-acceptance. McGranger closed her message with a hopeful wish for the year ahead, encouraging peace, wisdom, love, and just “a smidge of excitement and adventure.”

Fans responded instantly, flooding her page with messages of love and praise. “Love the hair — wow — you look stunning (as always),” one admirer wrote, while another simply declared, “You look gorgeous.” For many, the transformation felt empowering — a reminder that beauty doesn’t fade with age, it evolves.

Behind the new look is a woman who has consciously chosen to step into a new phase of life on her own terms. In a candid interview in 2025, McGranger reflected on her decision to leave Home and Away after more than thirty years, explaining that it wasn’t a sudden choice but one she’d been contemplating for some time.

“I’ve still got my health, my fitness,” she shared. “And I would like to branch out again and do some more theatre, maybe a bit of radio, a bit of stand-up comedy.”

True to her trademark humour, she added, “You either leave voluntarily or leave in a box by the time you’re my age.”

That honesty resonated deeply with fans, many of whom admired her courage in walking away from a role that defined a generation. Rather than clinging to familiarity, McGranger chose growth — and that decision has only deepened her legacy.

Her time on Home and Away also cemented her place in television history as a mentor and collaborator to some of the industry’s biggest names. Over the years, she shared scenes with future Hollywood stars including Margot Robbie and Chris Hemsworth, as well as actors like Isla Fisher, Samara Weaving, Ryan Kwanten, and Tammin Sursok — all of whom cut their teeth in Summer Bay.

Yet despite the global success of her co-stars, McGranger remained a steady constant, anchoring the show with warmth, wit, and emotional truth. Irene Roberts wasn’t glamorous or perfect — and that’s precisely why audiences loved her.

As Lynne McGranger steps into 2026 with silver hair and boundless optimism, her transformation feels like a fitting epilogue — and prologue — to an extraordinary career. She may have left Summer Bay behind, but the impact of Irene Roberts, and the woman who brought her to life, will echo for years to come.

This isn’t just a new look. It’s a statement: that reinvention is possible at any age, that endings can be beautiful, and that legends don’t fade — they evolve.