NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Home & Away

Raechelle Banno: 'Saying goodbye was so emotional'

The star confirms her departure from the iconic soap. - by Jackie Brygel
  • 13 Aug 2018

They say all good things must come to an end. And that is certainly the case for 25-year-old Raechelle Banno, whose three-year stint on Home And Away as Olivia reaches its conclusion.

For Raechelle, who joined the hit series as a relative unknown, the role presented her with the opportunity of a lifetime.

‘To be able to be thrust into 46 weeks [of filming] a year – all day, every day – it was just the education I’d always dreamed of,’ she says.

Not surprisingly, when the director called ‘action’ on Raechelle’s final scene, which sees her character farewell the Bay to take up an exciting work opportunity in Melbourne, the star struggled to keep her feelings in check.

‘It was a really emotional journey for me, but a positive one to be able to send off Olivia in such an independent way', Raechelle says. ‘It was a tough day, because you want to do the right thing by the scene, but you’re also feeling quite indulgent yourself.

‘It was a very emotional last couple of weeks but, all in all, I’m very proud of how it all came together.’

Channel 7
Channel 7
Channel 7
Channel 7

Over the past three years, Raechelle has worked particularly closely with the show’s longest-serving female cast member Lynne McGranger, who plays town battler Irene.

‘When they say that Lynne is one of the legends of Home And Away, it’s not an overstatement,’ says Raechelle. ‘We had a really nice little moment where they called “cut”. We walked off the set and she gave me a really big hug. That meant a lot to me.’

Will Raechelle stay in touch with her former co-stars?

‘Oh yes, absolutely – I already have been,’ she reveals. ‘That’s not something I could walk away from.  They’re a part of my family.’

There’s one thing, however, that Raechelle won’t miss.

new idea

‘I’m not actually that much of a beach gal and doing beach scenes in winter probably isn’t my favourite thing to do,’ she admits, adding with a laugh: ‘Especially at very early times in the morning when no-one should be in the water! That’s when the real acting skills kick in.’

Since stepping out of Olivia’s shoes, Raechelle has been anything but idle. She’s starred in the acclaimed short film Second Best, alongside none other than her identical twin sister Karina – who herself happens to be a talented actor.

‘I’ve also started working on a really exciting project that I can’t quite comment on just yet,’ she says.

As for the possibility that Raechelle could one day return to the Bay, she’s certainly not ruling out the opportunity.

‘That’s a nice little thing when you’ve left an open door,’ she reflects. ‘Along Olivia’s journey, she was always – and beautifully so – in a relationship, but a tumultuous one from time to time.

‘So it’s a really positive message to send out. She now goes off on her way, but she can always come back to her Summer Bay family.’

For the full story, and more Home And Away exclusives, see the OFFICAL Home And Away magazine - New Idea - on sale now! 

  • Celebrity
  • News
  • TV
  • Entertainment And Showbiz
  • Home & Away

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Recommended to you

Home and Away opening title
Watch 1:09

Home and Away opening title

{headline}

{headline}

Tracy Grimshaw's plan to take Karl Stefanovic's job

Who wins 'The Bachelor' 2018?

Home And Away: Willow's on the edge

Home And Away: Colby's desperate plea

{headline}

{headline}

Home And Away: Is Tori pregnant?

Playing For Keeps: Meet your new TV obsession

Home And Away's Ray Meagher: 'Goodbye for now'

{headline}

{headline}

Home And Away: Jasmine's love dilemma

Home and Away: Willow’s hell as Dean does a runner

Bachelor shock: Is Cass Wood a planted actress?

The Bachelor: These are the girls to watch

Karl Stefanovic packs his bags

Home and Away: Hunter's shocking discovery about Christina

Home and Away: Willow's secret exposed

NewIdea
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions
NewIdea Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions

Brands

  • Girlfriend
  • New Idea food
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from New Idea

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to New Idea & save!