Mackenzie pushes Levi away after heartbreaking loss, leaving fans torn over her emotional shutdown

A Love Story Strained by Grief

Home and Away is diving deep into one of its most raw and emotional arcs as Mackenzie Booth (Emily Weir) and Levi Fowler (Tristan Gorey) hit breaking point following the devastation of a miscarriage. After their first IVF treatment ends in loss, Mac shuts down completely, fleeing Summer Bay for Queensland and leaving Levi in the dark.

Though she’s returned, their relationship remains on fragile ground. The couple decide to pause IVF — a mutual agreement that speaks volumes about the toll this journey has taken on them. According to Weir, “it’s not sustainable to live in that state all the time.”

Emotional Shutdown: Mac Runs From the Pain

What’s striking about this storyline is how it challenges traditional gender dynamics. In most narratives, men are shown as the emotionally distant partner. Here, Mac is the one who detaches.

“After the miscarriage, Mac completely pushed Levi away,” Weir explains. “She went into shutdown mode — and that’s something people really do. It’s real.”

Levi, in contrast, wants to communicate and process the trauma, while Mac chooses silence and avoidance. This reversal not only subverts expectations but also raises powerful questions about how we judge emotional reactions based on gender.

IVF, Pressure, and Emotional Burnout

The infertility storyline has resonated with many viewers who’ve been through similar battles. Even though Weir hasn’t faced this in her own life, she’s done her research and spoken with friends to understand the pressure.

“All you think about is getting pregnant,” she says. “There’s this unrelenting desperation — and that can be completely exhausting.”

The strain has led to emotional outbursts, miscommunication, and moments where Mac and Levi seem on the verge of collapsing as a couple. But Weir stands by her character, even when Mac’s behaviour draws backlash.

A Complex Woman in a Complex World

Weir is proud to play a character who doesn’t always meet expectations. “Mac is fiery, sensitive, doesn’t always make the right decisions — and she’s brave enough to not be perfect,” she says. “That’s real. That’s a modern woman.”

She also embraces the negative reactions Mac receives. “When people get angry at her, it means it’s challenging something in them. I like that.”

Behind the Scenes: Trust, Friendship, and Fan Love

Off-screen, Weir and Gorey share a close friendship that adds authenticity to their on-screen chemistry. The pair will travel to Europe in January to meet fans in Belgium and Norway, where Home and Away has a massive international following.

Though some fans wonder if their connection is romantic, Weir is clear: “We love each other — but we’re best friends. We just like to keep people guessing.”