Penny McNamee farewells Home and Away with fairytale wedding

While her character finally gets her man, Home and Away star Penny McNamee reveals why she’s calling time on being in the show.

Penny McNamee is at peace with Home And Away writers’ decision to send her character Dr Tori Morgan to the other side of the world.

“I’m a big believer in there’s a season for everything and I felt that it was the right time for me to leave the show and for Tori to leave the Bay,” she says.

“I have a real sense of gratitude for this incredible role on this incredible Australian show which has such a legacy. And all that I managed to do with this role for five-and-a-half years while having young kids.

“While I’ll miss seeing (cast and crew) every day, I don’t really feel sad because I live in Sydney and the show is based in Sydney so anyone I want to see I can.”

Dr Tori Morgan (Penny McNamee) marries Dr Christian Green (Ditch Davey) on Home and Away. Picture: Seven

There’s a happy ending for the perennially unlucky-in-love doctor, as she finally makes it to the altar with Dr Christian Green before they fly to London with her daughter Grace.

While she’s happy Tori finally got her fairy tale, McNamee says the greatest love story for the doctor was the friendship and support of her brother Justin – played by James Stewart.

“Tori had boyfriends come and go and now she’s getting married – there were so many men who came along but Justin was just that rock for her,” she says. “But also the friendship that James and I built. We have been together from the very beginning on the show and we became very close friends and confidantes. He was the hardest for me to say goodbye to in real life.”

The bonds have always been strong between on-screen siblings Tori Morgan (Penny McNamee) and Justin Morgan (James Stewart). They pair has become firm friends off set as well. Picture: Seven

The wedding, which will air from Monday night, was the last days on set for McNamee and Ditch Davey. Davey says it wasn’t necessarily easier than his own real-life nuptials to Sophia Dunn.

“There were still suit fittings and learning vows – but at least I didn’t have to pay for it this time,” he laughs, adding it was also nice he or McNamee’s characters weren’t killed off.

“Everyone deserves a bit of hope. There’s so much murder and death in getting rid of characters. I think it’s nice to be a part of something that doesn’t end in some kind of tragedy, And with everything that we are all going through in this country – it’s nice to have a little bit of hope on screen.”

Dr Tori Morgan (Penny McNamee) and Dr Christian Green (Ditch Davey) tie the knot in a beautiful backyard ceremony this week on Home and Away. Picture: Seven

McNamee laughs as she adds that the fans will be happy too. She and producers were inundated with messages on social media pleading for Tori and Christian to end up together. Davey’s mind was blown at just how dedicated Home And Away fans actually were. He’d been working overseas and didn’t realise the passion for the show.

“It’s fierce – people come up to me and want to talk about, my neighbours want to talk about it, in the pub people want to talk about it,” he says.

“When I was on Blue Heelers all of those years ago, the joke was that nobody watched that show. It was the Number 1 drama but nobody watched it. Everybody who came up and asked for a photo or autograph would say “oh, I don’t watch it but my wife does, or my mum does’.

“But with this show everyone is just an absolute diehard fan and it’s lovely to be a part of that.”

Dr Tori Morgan (Penny McNamee) gets her happily ever after with Dr Christian Green (Ditch Davey). Picture: Seven

Both Davey and McNamee are living through Sydney’s lockdown and finding the silver linings.

“It’s been really good for me – a nice forced break after five years of working full time,” McNamee shares.

“I can home school my son and my daughter. I can cook dinner every night and just enjoy a slower pace of life.”

She’d originally planned to audition for musicals and return to her musical theatre roots, but with theatres closed in Sydney and Melbourne, the 38-year-old has focused on rebuilding her skills, taking zoom singing lessons with her teacher in New York so that when productions return in force she’ll be game ready.

The other bonus of lockdown life – McNamee didn’t have to struggle to keep the secret she was leaving.

“It’s been perfect – I haven’t seen anyone for months,” she laughs. “I’m terrible at keeping secrets.”

Home And Away, Monday-Thursday, 7pm, Seven

Originally published as Penny McNamee farewells Home and Away with fairytale wedding