Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger)
Irene Roberts is the longest serving continuous female character in Home And Away. She was first seen for 15 episodes in late 1991/early 1992 and was played by Jacqy Phillips. When the character was re-introduced a year later (Ep 1147 (12 Jan 1993) ) the role had been recast and Irene was now played by Lynne McGranger. Irene has remained in the show ever since. She has had a colourful and often turbulent life since arriving in Summer Bay. Irene is depicted as the typical Australian battler. In her original incarnation, Irene was a villainous and alcoholic character but she was mellower when she returned in 1993.
Lynne McGranger is the second longest serving actor on Home and Away after Ray Meagher.
Biography[]
| Irene Roberts | |
|---|---|
Character Profile
| |
| Birthday: | March 21,1953 |
| Birthplace: | Australia |
| Father: | Unknown |
| Mother: | Unknown |
| Siblings: | Wendy McFarlane |
| Spouse: | Murdoch Roberts (1973-1995) |
| Children: | Mick Jennings (1968) Nathan Roberts (1972) Finlay Roberts (1974) Damian Roberts (1976) |
| Occupation: | Shop assistant Waitress School Secretary |
| Played By: | Jacqy Phillips (1991-1992) Lynne McGranger (1993-present) |
Backstory[]
1953-1991
Irene was born on March 21, 1953 and had a sister called Wendy. When she was 15, she was raped by her uncle and became pregnant. As soon as she gave birth to the baby, it was taken away from her. She didn't meet her son, Mick, until 2016. In the early 1970s, Irene met and married Murdoch "Mud" Roberts and they had 3 children: Nathan (born around 1973), Finlay (1974) and Damian (1976). Irene's marriage to Mud was not a happy one. He turned out to be a loathsome character and to cope with her unhappiness, she hit the bottle. Her son Nathan went to prison but her younger two were better behaved kids. They all suffered at the hands of their mother though - drunk Irene was a nasty and sometimes violent parent. She worked in a factory for 18 years, before suffering a repetitive strain injury (RSI), which caused her to go on the invalid pension. She mostly spent her pension on vodka or at the club, where she mostly hung out with her friends Alice and Joan.
1991-1992[]
The first Irene, played by Jacqy Phillips
In September 1991, Irene's daughter Finlay ran away from home and ended up in Summer Bay. She was taken in by Michael and Pippa Ross. Shortly afterwards Irene came looking for her, intending to bring her back home. Damian was still living with her and Irene tried to use him as leverage to get Fin back. It didn't work and in time Damian left home too. He was taken in by the Rosses and eventually fostered by them. Although Damian and Fin tried to maintain a relationship with Irene, her antics proved too much. In May 1992, she falsely accused Damian and Fin of pushing her down the stairs in Summer Bay House. When she threatened to harm Pippa if she did not release Damian from her care, that became the final straw. Damian and Fin, backed by Pippa and Michael, told Irene to leave the Bay. Belatedly realising that the kindest thing she could do was leave her kids with the Rosses, Irene returned home to try and turn her life around. In an interview with TV Week in 1992, Jacqy Phillips revealed that she had been approached by strangers on the street and called the "really rotten bitch from Home and Away".
1993-2000[]
Irene (1996)
A year later, Irene returned, now played by Lynne McGranger. Fin had been involved in a diving accident so she came to look after her. Now in a better place after having quit drinking, and a much kinder character, she wanted to be closer to her kids again. Another bridge was mended when the Rosses asked her to keep an eye on things when a heavily pregnant Pippa went to stay with her mother. Eventually settling in the Bay, Irene worked various jobs, including an assistant in Alf's store and in the Bayside Diner. After initially renting the Beach House, she bought it at auction in 1994. She has lived there ever since.
Irene's son Nathan was released from prison in 1993 and came to stay in Summer Bay. Naturally, Irene was delighted to see her son again, and slow to admit that he was still a troublemaker. He was sent back to prison in 1994.
In 1994, Irene took in Selina Cook, a local teenager with a troubled family life. She became an almost surrogate mother to Selina, who later changed her own surname to Roberts. In 1995 Irene thought she was going to become a grandmother for the first time when Selina became pregnant after a one night stand with Damian. This didn't come to pass because Selina had a miscarriage. In time, Irene also took in teenagers Chloe Richards and Joey Rainbow.
In 1995, Irene's ex-husband Mud came back into her life. She briefly got back together with him but threw him out when she found out he was sexually harassing Selena. Mud was later murdered (offscreen) by Dodge. In 2000, she got engaged to Ken Smith but the pair never made it up the aisle because he died in an accident.
In 1997, Irene became a surrogate mother for her daughter Finlay. She gave birth to a little boy called Paul who was kidnapped by a cult. Paul went missing for a while but was eventually found and returned to Fin.
2000-2020[]
In 2004 Barry Hyde became principal of Summer Bay High. In time, he and Irene began dating but ultimately that relationship didn't work out. Barry being a double murderer certainly didn't help!
Memorable info[]
Birthday: March 21, 1953
Full Name: Irene Roberts (Unknown maiden name)
First Line: "You in charge of this place? I've been knocking on the door for the last ten minutes." (to Pippa)
Irene's maiden surname has never been revealed.
Quotes[]
"Enjoy your meal" (commonly repeated line said while serving in the diner, in a sarcastic manner)
"What the flamin hell are you doing girlie" "Gawd, save Ireland"
Family[]
Siblings Wendy McFarlane
Spouse Murdoch Roberts (c1973-1995) divorced
Children Mick Jennings (c1968), Nathan Roberts (1972), Finlay Roberts (1974), Damian Roberts (c1976)
Grandchildren Luc Patterson, Paul Roberts, Mark Roberts
Nephews Nelson McFarlane