With three-year contracts coming to a possible end, Home and Away fans are speculating over the fate of Rose and Xander.

Home and Away’s Shane Withington recently joined Instagram and tbh, we don’t know how we all survived this long without him. From launching his Instagram with a pic from the 2024 Logies and the caption “#bratsummer is here and so am I!” to strolling down memory lane from his A Country Practice days, the actor has already made his mark on social media.

Shane, who’s been playing John Palmer on Home and Away since 2009, is pretty much a staple in the Bay now — it’s hard to imagine the beach or surf club without him. Shane recently uploaded a pic with co-stars Ada Nicodemou and Lynne McGranger, hinting at Irene’s return to the soap after Lynne took some time off, and his latest Instagram activity could possibly put some departure rumours to rest.

Is Kirsty Marillier leaving Home and Away?

Recently there was speculation that actors Kirsty Marillier and Luke Van Os, who play siblings Rose and Xander, may be leaving the show as their three-year contracts come to an end.

Kirsty in particular has a busy upcoming 2025 schedule, starring in Picnic at Hanging Rock alongside Olivia DeJonge at the Sydney Opera House from February 17 to April 5, 2025. She will also be starring in a new play she has written called Destiny, from August 18 to September 13 in Melbourne’s Southbank Theatre.

Given the busy schedule, it looked as though her other commitments could hint at her exit from the popular soap, as well as Rose’s romantic storyline with Mali coming to an end.

Behind-the-scenes snap hints at Home and Away character’s fate

However, a recent snap from Shane appears to show that Kirsty/Rose is still holding down the fort in Summer Bay, which is good news in a town so small with lots of crime. Someone’s gotta be doing the tough job, plus, with Cash acting so erratically post-Felicity’s death, we need at least one cop paying attention in this town.

“Another phabulous day in the land of no logic,” Shane captioned the pic.

After the photo was shared in a Home and Away Facebook fan group, one person speculated it could be an old shot to throw people off, but another fan said they had confirmation Kirsty was still filming. “I know someone that was at Palm Beach today and it’s correct, Kirsty was filming today,” they said. “I love Rose and would hate to see her go,” another fan said.

“I believe she will finish soon though as her contract is up or coming to an end, or maybe she has signed a short contract,” another fan speculated.

Fans are still unsure what this means for the fate of Xander however, so watch this space!