Death stalks Summer Bay
The impending death of a Summer Bay resident in the season return of Home and Away has many viewers in a tizz, including star Dan Ewing's grandmother.
"Fans of this show are starved of information and so they always want to know everything," he says over the phone from Sydney where the high-rating Seven soap films.
"People have been asking me constantly who dies in the bomb, my own family have been asking me. I've been getting hassled by my grandma. She said, 'I hope it's not Irene, I like Irene, she keeps all of you young ones in line'."
In the season finale last year Montgomery (WA's Tasma Walton) planted the bomb in Bianca's (Lisa Gormley) laptop bag which Ewing's character Heath delivered to the hospital where Ricky (Bonnie Sveen) had been admitted after suffering cramps and bleeding.
Irene (Lynne McGranger) was there as well after bringing some food and coffee to them.
After locking an unconscious Kyle (Margaret River-raised Nic Westaway) and the twins in a storage container, Ethan (Matt Minto) also makes his way to the hospital.
Bianca heard a ringing noise come from her laptop bag and as she headed towards it an explosion ripped through the hospital, sending Heath, Ricky, Bianca, Irene, and Ethan flying.
Next Monday the action will pick up right where it left off in the aftermath of the explosion, and two people's lives are hanging in the balance.
"It's going to be the aftermath of the bomb so it's a matter of who has survived and who hasn't and certainly someone does die," reveals Ewing.
"I can't see the situation ending too quickly or too easily."
After getting the all clear from the bomb squad, Alf and the SES move in to the rescue.
Kyle wakes to find himself trapped in the shipping container with Oscar (Jake Speer) and Evelyn (Phillippa Northeast).
Meanwhile Roo (Georgie Parker) is still reeling from finding Harvey (Perth's Marcus Graham) on her couch and is trying to come to terms with how distant and quiet he is.
There are two worst-case scenarios for Heath - obviously his own death or, perhaps even worse, the death of his beloved wife Bianca.
"Bianca is the love of his life, it's his purpose, his reason for being," says Ewing.
"He loves her and he owes her so much - he believes he would have gone down a not-so- good path if she hadn't come along."
As for Ewing's departure from the show, he's ready if it comes his way.
The actor first appeared on Home and Away as Reuben Humphries during 2007. Then in 2011, he returned to the popular soap, this time receiving a larger role, playing Heath Braxton. "I think the producers are good enough for us lead cast to let us know well ahead of schedule so you can plan your life," he says. Last year it was reported Ewing and Gormley had signed with a US talent management company Silver Lining Entertainment, who work with the likes of Cat Deeley, Emile Hirsch and Evangeline Lilly.
Perth singer turned actor Johnny Ruffo - who plays Chris Harrington -- and Summer Bay favourite Steve Peacocke (Darryl "Brax" Braxton) have also been reported as signing to US agents.
But Ewing says that doesn't always indicate a cast exit. "Half the cast have US talent agents," he explains.
"It's a natural progression and I'm not one of these people who is going to say I'm going to stay in the Bay forever. I'm going to move on at some stage. I can't really say when but it's exciting and scary. I am looking forward to taking the next step."
