2023 Logies: Lynne McGranger finally nominated after 31 years as Irene Roberts on Home and Away

The longest serving female actor on an Australian soap is finally up for a Logie, and so are her fellow Home and Away ‘over 45s’.

Home and Away cast members nominated for Best Actress at the 2023 Logies: Emily Symons, Ada Nicodemou, and Lynne McGranger. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The longest serving female actor on an Australian soap is finally up for a Logie.

Lynne McGranger has starred as Home and Away’s beloved Irene Roberts for 31 years, and this is the first time the 70-year-old has been nominated for an award of excellence in Australian television.

McGranger learned she was up for the Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress alongside her dear friends and castmates Ada Nicodemou and Emily Symons as the trio sat side-by-side at the nomination event at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art.

L-R: Longstanding Home and Away cast members Emily Symons, Ada Nicodemou, and Lynne McGranger at the 2023 Logies Nominations in Sydney. Picture: Jeremy Piper/The Daily Telegraph.

Nicodemou, 46, has starred as Leah Patterson-Baker in Summer Bay since 2000; and Symons, 53, first appeared on the soap in 1989, was a regular from ‘95 to ’99, in 2001, and from 2010 until now.

They’re competing in the same category as Julia Zemiro and Kitty Flanagan for their work on Fisk, and Celeste Barber for Wellmania.

The 1989 cast of Home and Away with Emily Symons (Marilyn) on the right. Picture: Supplied.

Leah (left) played by Ada Nicodemou during her first episode of Home and Away in 2000. Picture: Supplied.

“It’s really exciting and it’s nice to be in the category together, for all of us oldies,” Nicodemou told Confidential.

“Oh s...t yeah,” McGranger replied when asked if the acknowledgment of older female actors was new for Australia’s answer to the Emmys.

“It’s like the panel has gone: ‘Aw, I remember her. Let’s nominate all the old people this year, and not give to anyone under the age of 45.’”

Lynne McGranger playing Irene during a 2000 episode of Home and Away. Picture: Supplied.

Her theory may hold some credence, with Sonia Kruger, Julia Morris and Leigh Sales named as three of the seven contenders for TV’s highest honour – the Gold Logie.

“I am pretty thrilled that there are three women in their 50s nominated for the Gold – that is unfortunately going to have to change our dialogue about women not getting a run,” I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here and Taskmaster host Morris said.

Leah (second from right) played by Ada Nicodemou takes the fall for the diner fire during an episode of Home and Away in 2000. Picture: Supplied

By comparison, McGranger’s counterpart Ray Meagher, 78, won the Gold Logie for his role as Alf Stewart back in 2010. He is also up for Best Actor this year.

“I think it’s lovely that you guys have been recognised because you’ve been in the industry for such a long time,” Symons said to her co-stars.

“It’s really important that as older women we still have a place at the table,” Nicodemou added. “We are genuine friends too, bonded together by long hours — ”

McGranger: “And trauma.”

Symons: “And good humour.”

Emily Symons (Marilyn) (left) with Irene played by Lynne McGranger (right) on Home and Away. Picture: Supplied.

Home and Away first aired on the Seven Network in 1988 and has been running for 35 years. It is the second longest running Australian TV show of all-time, and is likely to break Neighbours’ record of 37 years.

The soap bagged six nominations in total, including a run at Most Popular Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie against the likes of Heartbreak High and The Twelve.