Judy Nunn rose to prominence as Alf Stewart’s wife, Ailsa, on Home and Away, but she dropped out to pursue a career as a bestselling novelist.
The 76-year-old retired actress claimed she resorted to writing after growing “bored” with her part on Home and Away in an interview with A Current Affair on Thursday.
‘I never saw myself as a best-selling author.’ I was completely unaware. ‘I suppose I wanted another artistic outlet to explore,’ she added.
‘I suppose I grew a little bored with a long-running television serial that I was doing,’ she continued.
Judy’s 16th book, Showtime!, is set to be released, and the previous 15 have all reached number one on the bestseller list.
Judy used to write her bestselling historical fiction novels on the set of Home and Away, according to her husband of 33 years, Bruce Venables.
Judy stated she had no desire to return to acting after taking a break from it, calling television “too confronting.”
‘I don’t believe I want to see myself on television as a character at my age,’ she told ACA reporter Brady Halls.
‘I mean, just seeing myself on television speaking with you and appearing 30 years older than I feel is enough.’
Judy left Home and Away in 2000 after 12 years on the programme, but returned for a cameo appearance in 2002.
Judy claimed she had no regrets about leaving the show and eventually leaving her acting career in an interview with The Morning Show in October 2019.
‘When you work on a soap for a long period, you become that character to the audience.’ But, as much as I loved Home and Away, after 20 years, I’m delighted to put it behind me,’ she remarked at the time.
