Mackenzie and Levi Navigate Infertility Struggles in Home and Away

The ongoing infertility journey of characters Mackenzie (played by Emily Weir) and Levi (portrayed by Tristan Gorey) in the popular television series Home and Away has taken a significant toll on their relationship. Following a heartbreaking miscarriage after IVF treatment, Mackenzie found herself overwhelmed by the pressures of trying to conceive, leading her to retreat to Queensland. This emotional distance left Levi grappling with uncertainty about their future together.

Facing the Challenges of Parenthood

Upon returning home, Mackenzie and Levi made the difficult decision to pause their IVF treatment. Weir expressed that living in a constant state of stress is “not sustainable.” She noted, “Because you’re the two people in the relationship, you tend to take it out on each other. That tension, that anger, that sadness can really separate people and damage the relationship.”

While Weir has not personally experienced infertility, she has gained insight through research and conversations with friends. She emphasized that the journey to parenthood can quickly become an all-consuming obsession for many couples. “All you think about is getting pregnant. The IVF shots, your hormones are crazy, and there’s just this unrelenting desperation and need for it to work out,” she said. “That can be completely exhausting.”

In the storyline, Levi seeks to talk openly about their experiences, but Mackenzie prefers to avoid the subject. After her miscarriage, Mackenzie pushed Levi away, entering what Weir describes as “complete shutdown mode,” a response that many individuals facing trauma may relate to.

Challenging Gender Norms

The narrative also flips conventional gender roles, presenting Mackenzie as the emotionally distant partner, a departure from the typical portrayal of men in crisis situations. Weir remarked, “I think that Levi and Mac’s relationship on this show really challenges that status quo. And I’m really proud of that.”

Despite some criticism from viewers regarding Mackenzie’s behavior, Weir sees this as an opportunity for discussion about societal expectations of women. “There’s an expectation that women behave well all the time. I don’t mind that Mackenzie pushes those boundaries,” she stated. “I like that the feedback is sometimes negative because it challenges something in people.”

Weir recognizes that if Mackenzie conformed to traditional expectations, she would likely be “more liked” by the audience. Nevertheless, she believes that such conformity would not accurately represent contemporary women. “She is complicated, 3-D, fiery, sensitive, and emotional. She doesn’t always make the right decisions but is brave enough to not be perfect,” Weir explained.

The camaraderie between Weir and Gorey extends beyond the screen. The two actors have developed a strong friendship, describing each other as among their best friends. They are even scheduled to travel to Europe in January to meet Home and Away fans in Belgium and Norway, countries where the show has a substantial following.

Weir has visited Belgium before but will experience Norway for the first time. She recalled her last trip to Belgium, saying, “I was getting stopped in the street, probably more so than I do in Sydney. It was pretty crazy.”

The chemistry between Weir and Gorey, both on and off-screen, has led fans to speculate about a possible romantic relationship. Weir laughed off such rumors, affirming their bond is purely platonic but added, “We like to play into it because, why not? Keep them curious. The truth is we do love each other, and all the videos we do together, we are just being ourselves.”

As Home and Away continues to explore the complexities of relationships and the challenges of modern parenthood, it remains a compelling narrative for audiences across the globe.

Home and Away airs on TVNZ 2 weeknights.