Australia’s enduring soap opera, Home and Away, is back for its 38th season, bringing a mix of familiar faces, shocking departures, and exciting new additions to the sunny shores of Summer Bay. The show, which began way back in 1988, is known for its blend of drama and everyday, relatable storylines.
Here’s the Lowdown: Fan favorites Sophie Dillman and Patrick O’Connor, who play Dean Thompson and Ziggy Astoni, are returning to Summer Bay after a two-year absence. Longtime cast member Lynne McGranger (Irene) is also back on set after a temporary leave for theater work and surgery. However, in sad news, McGranger will be leaving the show for good at the end of 2025, with her final scenes being filmed in March 2025.
What This Means Now: The return of Dean and Ziggy is big news for their fans. It is unknown what this means in-universe for their characters. Newcomers Sophea Pennington (playing Lacey, connected to the River Boys) and Ryan Bown (playing Sonny, an old friend of Remi) will stir things up, and their storylines are eagerly awaited.
The Bigger Picture: Home and Away continues to evolve, balancing the departure of established characters with the arrival of fresh talent. The exits of Jacqui Purvis (Felicity Newman) and potentially Luke Van Os (Xander Delaney) and Kirsty Marillier (Rose Delaney), mark the end of an era, but this is counterbalanced by the energy new cast members, and returning favorites, bring. The constant flux keeps the show fresh and ensures there’s always something new happening in Summer Bay.
