Penny McNamee has been playing Dr. Tori Morgan on Home and Away for more than five years.
Tori and her soon-to-be new husband, Dr. Christian Green (Ditch Davey), are leaving Summer Bay together for forever, due to an amazing job offer in London.
“Who doesn’t like a good wedding storey? McNamee, 38, tells WHO, “It’s the ideal send-off for my character.” “On the day, I was definitely holding back a few actual tears.”
McNamee goes on to say that she’s “at peace” with her choice to leave.
“I’m not the type of person who looks backwards. She continues, “I’m a firm believer in everything having its season, and leaving the programme felt like the end of a season to me.” “I am really appreciative for the incredible experience I’ve had on the show.”
We spoke with the actress to learn more about her choice to quit the show, as well as some of her favourite Summer Bay memories.
What are your fondest recollections of your time on Home and Away as Tori as you prepare to depart the role?
The on-set banter between the actors and staff will be sorely missed. I’ve done a number of scenes with James Stewart since he portrays my brother Justin. He and his staff would make me laugh out loud at least 20 times a day!
Is there anything you won’t be able to live without?
Not at all. The only challenging aspect of my career, I believe, was working through two pregnancies [with son Jack, 6, and daughter Neve, 2]. It wasn’t enjoyable driving up to Palm Beach at 5 a.m. from central Sydney and having to stop for a morning sickness puke on the side of the road! Neither of them were pregnant and strolling on scorching beach in the summer. But if that’s the worst that can happen, I’m not complaining.
What makes playing Tori for more than five years so special?
It was great to be given such a fantastic role. She was a doctor with a successful profession, and she’d lost both of her parents, so she decided to start a family on her own. It was difficult to portray this complex lady every day, but I enjoyed it. I had a lot of fun learning about medicine and surgery, as well as the technical jargon she used. I don’t believe I would have stayed on the show for as long if her character was just someone who went to the restaurant every day and spoke about her lover.
What are your plans for the future?
I informed my agency I didn’t want to work interstate right now because of the epidemic. I don’t want to risk losing contact with my children and partner, Matt [Tooker]. Instead, because I started out in musical theatre, I’m brushing up on my vocal skills, so I’m taking a weekly singing class and practising for an hour every day. Because things went a little awry during lockdown, I’m also exercising and trying to eat healthily. Then I’ll start looking for employment again the following year.
It appears that you’re ready to take on whatever comes next ?
Absolutely. Although the epidemic is horrible, having the opportunity to spend time with my family is a gift. When I told my kid Jack that his mother would be spending more time at home for a while, he said, “Yeah, whatever, can I play the Nintendo now?” The youngsters aren’t afraid to tell it like it is!
Channel Seven’s Home and Away airs Monday through Thursday at 7 p.m.
