'Home and Away' confirms bomb storyline in new promo - video
Home and Away has confirmed an upcoming storyline centred around a bomb.
A new promo for the soap which has aired in Australia reveals that a large explosion is planned for the residents of Summer Bay.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=euKpC7PMbrk
The identity of the bomb planter is not revealed in the minute-long advert, which shows a suspicious package being passed around by the cast.
Meanwhile, the promo explains "Time is running out," adding "Summer Bay will be shaken" before the explosion is seen to take place.
Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw was recently revealed as having a cameo role in the long-running Aussie show.
Home and Away: Lynne McGranger on Irene plots, bomb shock
Home and Away's Australian fans were left on tenterhooks in November as the soap's end-of-year cliffhanger saw Irene Roberts and a number of other characters get caught up in a bomb explosion.
The dramatic scenes will air for UK viewers on Channel 5 in February and see twisted teacher Jade Montgomery spark the disaster by planting an explosive device in Bianca Scott's laptop bag.
Digital Spy recently caught up with Lynne McGranger, who plays Irene, to hear her thoughts on the big storyline and all things Home and Away.
How did you feel about being part of the bomb explosion storyline?
"It was wonderful - I really enjoyed it and I loved doing the stunts. It was a big week of filming with lots of outdoor scenes and stunt work.
"It was also really good because I'd had quite a few months where I wasn't doing much, but then I had some good comedy scenes with Johnny Ruffo who plays Chris. I loved doing that and then it was great to do a bit of high drama - that was lots of fun."
Have you had lots of tweets from fans who are worried about Irene?
"I have! People are always saying, 'No they can't kill Irene off, please tell me what happens!' I always say, 'No, you've just got to wait and be patient!' We're obviously not allowed to say anything because we're contracted to be quiet! All I can say to the fans is keep watching and all will be revealed."
We obviously can't give away Irene's fate, but we know that lots of our readers have been asking for more storylines for her, Alf, Marilyn and Leah. Do you think we'll see that this year?
"I absolutely think you will. I know that they've really upped the ante with the storylines coming up. Through Channel 5, we heard that the English audience wanted Irene and some of the other older actors to be involved in the end-of-year cliffhanger. I think they've got the message loud and clear, and those characters will be involved a lot more."
Do you think the UK and Australian audiences want slightly different things from the show?
"That's a tough one! I think probably not - I think it's more a case of different generations wanting different things. Obviously your 15-year-old girls probably want to see more of the River Boys, although I know a lot of 40-year-old women want to see more of them too!
"But I think a lot of viewers also like the older characters, because they feel very comfortable with them and they feel that they know them well. They like a bit of respite from all of the trouble and the gang warfare, because it never used to be like that.
"Yes the gang stuff has upped the ante, but I think a lot of die-hard Home and Away fans still like the original concept, which of course is people living in a coastal town and taking in waifs and strays, and seeing what happens to them. They don't always just want to see guns and tattoos all the time."
2013 was a dramatic year for the show. Is 2014 also looking like a strong year?
"Absolutely. We filmed the 2013 cliffhanger in July and it went to air in Australia in November, so in the UK you've still got all that stuff to happen yet.
"Since then, the stuff that has been filmed has been very full-on. The first half of the year is quite intense and dramatic, but there's a lot of comedy too. I think the viewers will really enjoy it and the show's pool of writers are really working overtime to keep the standard up."
Dan Ewing recently announced that he and some of the other River Boys will be leaving. Do you think that'll be a big change for the show?
"I think everyone has to move on and do their thing. Some people choose to re-sign, others say, 'No, I've done all I can do here and it's time to move on'. So of course it will be a change, but when you look back over the years, so many cast members have left and people have said, 'It'll never be the same'. No it won't be the same, but that's not to say it won't be as good - it'll just be different.
"I remember when Angel and Shane left all those years ago and people said, 'Oh no!' It was the same when Selina left and when Aden and Belle left. It'll definitely be just as good as some new people will come along, take their place and tweak interest just as much as those who have moved on. It's just us oldies they can't get rid of - they'll be carrying us out feet first in a box!"
Which of the new characters are standing out for you?
"I would definitely keep an eye out for Andy, played by Tai Hara, and his brother Josh. Also, lovely Chris played by Johnny Ruffo is one of my favourites. All of those three guys are lovely, lovely people. I think Tai will go a long way - Andy is big, bad and very handsome!
"I'd also say the twins - Evelyn played by Philippa Northeast and Oscar played by Jake Speer - along with Charlie Clausen who plays Zac."
As we're chatting, you're in the UK to appear in Sleeping Beauty in Southsea. How's it all gone?
"It's gone extremely well. We've been getting audiences of over 1,000 people, which is extraordinary - it's been mayhem! I've been sharing the stage with Danniella Westbrook who's a lovely woman, the lovely Chris Maloney, and the fabulous Tony Adams who is famous for playing Adam Chance in Crossroads for many years. I worked with Tony years ago in Torquay.
"I'm also working with a few lovely local actors - Helen Kent, Chris Marlow and Warren Hayden. We've just been having a lovely time with a lovely crew, some of whom I've worked with before because I was at the same theatre four years ago. I couldn't ask for anything better - it's a great panto and I've loved playing the role of Carabosse because she's a great baddie. I get to sing and dance, get booed at and have a go at the audience! It's just marvellous."
Is it a nice change to play someone who's bad for a while?
"Well, obviously panto is a completely different kettle of fish acting-wise compared to acting for TV, but I just love it - it's so much fun. I've played a baddie now in panto for quite a few years, so I'm very comfortable with it! Carabosse is pretty bad - she wants to kill Sleeping Beauty, so they don't come much badder! (Laughs.) But she's redeemed at the end so the kids get to go away liking her again."
Do you get any time off when you come over to the UK?
"This year I get two weeks off after the panto, so I'll be going up north and visiting some dear friends in York. I'll also be stopping off to visit some friends in Birmingham, Manchester and Lincoln."
Would you ever be tempted to do one of our reality shows?
"I'd love to do the dancing. I'd never go into the jungle, because I don't do jungles and I don't eat bugs - I could think of nothing worse! But I would certainly go on the dancing show and if they ever brought back Soapstar Superstar I'd go on that. Anything involving singing and dancing I'd be there - but nothing that involves jungles or bugs!"
