Few people are more knowledgeable about the show than Ada Nicodemou, Emily Symons, and Lynne McGranger, who have worked on the set of Home And Away for more than 20 years. However, the trio received “shocking and surreal” news that they have all been nominated for a TV WEEK Logie Award as the Australian drama marks its 35th year on television.
The actresses are still in shock by the news when we sit down to talk about their longevity and success in a notoriously uncertain industry during our exclusive photo shoot.
“I asked, “Are you sure?” when they [Channel Seven] told me I was nominated.” With a smile, Emily, who has been Marilyn Chambers since 1989, says. It is a complete surprise.
also Emily, 53, and Lynne, 70, who are also first-time nominees, are excited to participate in the process with Ada, 46, a 46-year-old awards favorite. The actress has previously received six nominations, including three for the coveted Gold. Ada says it “never gets old” to be recognized.
She admits, “I’m truly affected by it and constantly astonished. “My initial few nominations were for both Silver and Gold. I didn’t enjoy it as much because I was such a baby. Now, there is much joy and honor. It becomes even more special because Lynne and Emily can join us.
In addition to receiving her first nomination in 31 years, Lynne claims that the ages of every other nominee in the Most Popular Actress category “stunned” her. The other two candidates, Celeste Barber for Wellmania and Kitty Flanagan for Fisk, are also over 40. But may the Summer Bay ladies benefit from the ratio?
Who knows what will occur [on the night], but it’s great that the majority of nominees are 40 or older,” says Lynne.
“I’m likely the oldest nominee among women. It’s amazing to see because women of a certain age, in particular, may occasionally feel invisible [in comparison to younger actresses]. “Age power!”
The age of the stars, says Ada, who has been with H&A since 2000, “brings more weight and authenticity to the Logies.” We all have a body of work and have been around for a while. However, there are now more tales to be told about women in general, and we are also witnessing improved representation of those experiences.
Since she has intermittently starred in the show since 1989, Emily continues, “it’s nice to have a seat at the table” in her forties. Emily moved to the UK in 1992 to work before coming back for another four years in 1995. 2010 saw her return once more.
She adds that both occasions—one in her twenties and the other in her forties—were unanticipated and that she had no plans to return. “However, the appeal of having your character remain intact is that. [Laughs] I’ve been treated really well by this show. Playing Marilyn in three chapters at various ages has been enjoyable. But given my age and where I am in my personal life, I am now really enjoying it.
A silver statuette would be the perfect way for Emily, whose character has been involved in various terrible tales, to end a difficult few months.
She admits, “It’s been intense.” I have shed tears in my automobile on occasion. It has been a lot, but I am so appreciative of the chance.
Emily was eager to share the news with her son Henry after hearing it. The seven-year-old is the one she works so hard for, even if he may not understand what the show is about (“He calls it The Mummy Show,” Emily explains) or why people stop to chat to them on the street.
“I returned to work when Henry was five months old, and my incredible nanny has been my pillar of support. Without her, I wouldn’t have survived the past seven years as a single mother, she claims.
Ada also sees the importance of family and speculates that her 10-year-old son Johnas may join her family as an actor.
She jokes, “He loves the camera, but he also wants to be a soccer star.”
But for now, Johnas is her biggest fan.
“He’s so proud,” Ada beams. “He says, ‘Is it the Gold [Logie], Mum? I want you to win.’ But I just want to show him it’s not about being famous – it’s about the hard work and that we care.”
In many households, Home And Away has been the cornerstone of people’s lives. Some fans have watched since it started in 1988, while others have drifted, watching as teenagers and circling back as parents. For the cast, it’s also changed the lives of their own families.
“My daughter Clancy, who I had when I was 38, was a baby when I started, so she’s grown up with it,” Lynne says. “My partner Paul and I have been together for almost 40 years – I invited him around for dinner one night and he never bloody went home! [Laughs]
“Things have always come to me later in life, just like this nomination. Irene was my first acting part, and I didn’t get it until I was 39, so that’s a lesson in appreciating when things do go right.
Although neither Emily, Ada, nor Lynne anticipate to win, it’s possible that they already have since they, along with the program they star in, have entered Australian popular culture. This is definitely cause for celebration.
People frequently ask me when I plan to retire, but I haven’t given it much thought until recently. Although this is such a thrill, I’ve realized I’m not ready, Lynne admits.
Ada herself has a query that she has dealt with during the course of her profession.
“Since I started working on Home And Away, people have asked me, ‘What’s next?'” But what else is there to do? I have a job, I never get bored, and I adore what I do. It doesn’t really get much better.
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