When Ailsa Stewart’s life in Home and Away ended in 2000, viewers believed they had seen the last of her. But her story was far from over, and years later she found her way back to the soap in an unexpected twist that no one saw coming. Now, decades later, her life looks remarkably different, is she coming back?
Judy’s End in Home and Away
Fans will remember the tragic moment when Ailsa Stewart, the on-screen wife of Alf Stewart, collapsed from a fatal heart attack in 2000. Before her shocking exit, Ailsa had already endured years of dramatic storylines, marrying Alf despite his daughter Ruth’s objections, raising their son Duncan, facing the collapse of their diner, and even being haunted by her own dark past after killing her abusive father.
Judy Nunn, the actress who brought Ailsa to life, had been part of the soap since its 1988 pilot. She starred alongside Ray Meagher, who continues in the role of Alf to this day. The pair became one of the most iconic couples in Australian soap history, holding together through mudslides, fires, and family turmoil until Ailsa’s untimely end. After a brief ghostly return in 2003, Judy decided it was time to step away from the screen.
A New Chapter After Home and Away
What many fans didn’t realise at the time was that Judy had already begun to explore a very different passion while still on set. She admitted in an interview that during filming breaks, whether the characters were attending a funeral or a wedding, she often found herself idle. She explained that these moments of simply smiling, nodding, or crying on cue left her bored, so she used the downtime to write books.
Writing was no passing fancy for Judy. Her first children’s book, The Riddle of the Trumpalar, had been published in 1981. It was years before she set foot in Summer Bay. By then, she was already an established stage actress and had earned attention for playing Vicki Stafford. Over time, Judy’s side project turned into a career, and she wrote scripts for popular soaps like Neighbours and Possession. But soon her focus shifted fully on novels.
Even at 80, Judy shows no signs of slowing down. She has another novel, Pilbara, set for release in October 2025, accompanied by a book tour across Australia. And her career just received another boost with news that one of her earlier works is headed for the screen. She has now firmly secured her place as one of Australia’s most versatile talents. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for all the latest updates, spoilers, and stories from Home and Away.