Former Home and Away star Lynne McGranger, widely recognized for her 33-year portrayal of Irene Roberts, has shared the profound joy of becoming a grandmother to twin granddaughters. The 73-year-old actress expressed her overwhelming love and delight for Stevie Grace and Daisy Joy, who were born in May, two minutes apart.
“We’re just totally in love with them, as I expected to be,” McGranger told NewsWire, reflecting on the experience. “I thought if we were ever lucky enough to become grandparents then I’m sure we will be absolutely in love and I’m not disappointed.” The twins are the daughters of McGranger’s daughter, Clancy, and her husband, Luke. McGranger described the infants as “the love of our lives” and marveled at her daughter and son-in-law’s dedication. “How our daughter and son-in-law cope with the two of them all the time – because you try and get them into a similar feeding habit so you can sleep, but it doesn’t always work out that way – is just amazing,” she commented.
From Summer Bay to the Stage: A New Chapter
Beyond her celebrated television career, McGranger has maintained a deep passion for live theatre, a love that is now intersecting with her personal life. In a poignant parallel to her role as a grandmother, she is set to reprise her stage character, Liz, in the production Christmas in The Grandparents Club. This play, penned by acclaimed writer Richard Tulloch, known for his work on Bananas in Pyjamas and Hating Alison Ashley, offers a unique exploration of the grandparenting experience.
McGranger spoke fondly of her long-standing role as Irene Roberts on Home and Away, a character she described as a “great treat” and a “great character to play.” Irene, who earned McGranger the Gold Logie for most popular TV personality in 2025, was a complex figure who resonated with audiences. “She was able to touch a lot of hearts and she was flawed and human, and all of those things. She was a joy to play,” McGranger recalled.
The Immediate Thrill of Live Performance
Despite the success and familiarity of her television work, McGranger expressed her excitement about returning to the stage, which she considers her “happy place.” The opportunity to perform in Christmas in The Grandparents Club has been a recurring delight. “To be asked to do Grandparents Club a couple of years ago and then for it to come back a second time last year, and then a third time this year is just wonderful,” she said.
McGranger elaborated on the unique appeal of live theatre, highlighting its inherent immediacy. “I can’t explain it except to say it’s the immediacy of theatre, it’s the here and the now,” she explained. “If something goes wrong you’ve got to think on your feet, you’ve got to deal with it, you can’t just say ‘can we do another take?’ It’s right here, it’s right now, it’s immediate, you get the response from the audience immediately – whether that be sorrow, terror or love, or laughter – and I think it’s just makes me feel alive, it really does.”
A Celebration of Grandparenting
The production of Christmas in The Grandparents Club features a cast that includes original members Wayne Scott Kermond, Leigh Archer, and Andrew James. The play delves into the experiences of individuals navigating the holiday season away from their families, offering a blend of entertainment and heartfelt reflection.
“There’s lots of singing and dancing, and retrospectives and insights,” McGranger previewed. “There’s laughter, there’s nonsense, we all act the goat, and honestly even if you are not a grandparent, we’ve all had grandparents, we all know grandparents.” She emphasized that the play serves as a universal celebration. “It’s just a celebration, a joyful – and in some respects an introspective – celebration of what it’s like to be a grandparent and negotiate all those things at Christmas.”
McGranger anticipates a deeply emotional experience during the performances, particularly given her recent personal milestone. “I can guarantee you that certainly for the first few weeks there’s certain times when it becomes quite sentimental and I’m sure I will shed some real tears on stage,” she admitted. She recalled an instance during the previous year’s run when co-star Wayne Scott Kermond became a grandfather, leading to a profoundly emotional moment for the entire cast. “Kermond became a grandfather during last year’s show and he became extremely emotional and it set us all off,” McGranger said. “I’m sure I will be exactly the same because suddenly it’s so real. As an actor you try and make every situation you are in real, but when you do have your own grandchildren it just changes everything.”
Touring Information
Christmas in The Grandparents Club is scheduled to tour New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and Queensland, commencing on November 1. Tickets for the production are currently available for purchase through thegrandparentsclub.com.
