Insiders have revealed the full cast line-up for the bizarre new reality TV series Shark!, set to be hosted by The Block star Scott Cam on Channel Nine this year.
A source tells Daily Mail some big hitters are slated for the new post-MAFS show, which sees celebrities face their fears by swimming in shark-infested waters.
Along with Tammy Hembrow, familiar faces set to appear on the series are Sam Thaiday, Matt Nable, Ariarne Titmus, and Home and Away's own Lynne McGranger.
Lynne, 73, who recently departed from her role as Irene Roberts on the long-running soap, is said to be the most surprising addition on the show.
Some have even raised eyebrows over her defection to Nine following a decades-long career at Seven, marking her first major role with a rival network since her exit.
'For someone so closely associated with Seven to jump straight to Nine is huge,' a television insider tells Daily Mail.
Insiders have revealed the full cast line-up for the bizarre new reality TV series Shark!, set to be hosted by The Block star Scott Cam, 63, on Channel Nine this year
It suggests things weren't left nearly as well as the public was led to believe.'
While Lynne publicly thanked Home and Away producers following Irene's emotional farewell, behind the scenes a different story is quietly circulating.
Multiple sources claim the decision to write out Irene was made by the network, not by Lynne herself.
'There's a growing belief she didn't choose to leave,' the insider revealed.
'Fans will hear more about it when Shark! airs. Lynne is expected to finally address what really happened.
'It seems unlikely McGranger left Home and Away to be a reality TV star.'
Irene's departure sparked outrage among long-time viewers, many of whom accused Channel Seven of discarding one of the show's most iconic characters.
The network heavily promoted her exit in dramatic storylines and special episodes - a move critics say cashed in on fan emotion.
They made it an event because they knew how loved Irene was,' the source says. 'But behind the scenes, it wasn't the happy farewell everyone thought.'
For many in television, Lynne's involvement with a rival network is being seen as a quiet statement.
'If she was completely happy with how Home and Away ended, you wouldn't expect her to jump ship so fast,' said the insider.
'This feels like someone moving on after being hurt.'
Fans have already taken to social media speculating that Irene's exit was driven by budget cuts and storyline reshuffles rather than actress choice.
And insiders claim Shark! may become the platform where Lynne finally sets the record straight.
'She's stayed classy so far,' the source said. 'But people close to her say she's ready to talk when the time is right.'
But it's not just Lynne's inclusion in the new reality TV series that has set tongues wagging, with many questioning why the show has been delayed to year end..
Sources say Nine has quietly pushed back the highly anticipated debut due to growing sensitivity following a string of devastating shark attacks across Australia.
The high-stakes program, which was tipped to become the network's next major hit, was originally slated to launch straight after Married At First Sight in 2026.
But industry insiders have confirmed the show has now been bumped from its prime slot as executives scramble to avoid public outrage.
The delay follows renewed national anxiety around shark encounters, including the recent fatal attack in Sydney that claimed the life of a young boy and reignited debate about ocean safety across the country.
With shark incidents dominating headlines, network bosses reportedly became increasingly uneasy about rolling out a program centred around celebrities swimming with sharks.
'The timing suddenly felt completely wrong,' a source close to production reveals.
'Here was Nine about to launch a show built around fear of sharks while families were grieving real tragedies. It just didn't sit right.'
Filmed in the Bahamas, Shark! follows famous faces confronting their biggest fears by entering shark-infested waters under the guidance of marine experts.
Retired Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus, 25, and Mr Inbetween star Matt Nable, 53, are also set to star in the series..
The series was designed to be thrilling, emotional and empowering, but insiders say public mood quickly shifted as shark attacks became a daily news topic.
'What was once exciting suddenly felt insensitive,' the source said.
'Watching celebrities panic in the water while the country was mourning real victims was a terrible look.'
Behind closed doors, Channel Nine executives are understood to have made the call to quietly pull the show from its original launch window.
'They didn't want outrage before the first episode even aired,' the insider added.
The decision comes amid broader industry concern about the celebrity-meets-sharks concept, which has struggled overseas.
International versions in both the US and UK were quietly axed after just one season, failing to attract strong audiences despite heavy promotion.
'Those shows never really connected with viewers,' the source revealed. 'So Nine was already taking a gamble and the shark attacks only made that risk bigge
With public fear at heightened levels, insiders say executives worried the program could quickly become a ratings disaster rather than a hit.
'Rolling out a shark-fear show while the country is on edge was never going to end well,' the source says.
While the network has not publicly commented on the delay, those in television circles say the move is about far more than sensitivity.
'This was one of Nine's biggest new productions for 2026,' an industry insider explains.
'Huge budget, overseas filming, massive expectations. They can't afford for it to flop.'
Executives are now reportedly hoping that time will soften public reaction before revisiting the show's release.
But some within the industry are questioning whether audiences will ever feel comfortable embracing the concept.
'Sharks aren't just entertainment anymore,' the source says. 'They're a real fear for Australians right now.'
For the moment, Shark! remains shelved, though the series is said to be going into post-production in two weeks.
Daily Mail has reached out to Nine and Seven for comment.
No comments
Post a Comment