It’s heartbreak in Summer Bay this week as Home and Away fan-favourite Mackenzie Booth faces her darkest chapter yet. After months of emotional turmoil, betrayal, and loss, Mac finally hits breaking point — leaving her questioning everything about her life, her choices, and her future.

Played by Emily Weir, Mac has always been the strong, resilient businesswoman behind Salt — but that confidence has slowly crumbled. Now, in upcoming episodes, viewers will see a side of her that’s more raw and vulnerable than ever before.

“Mac’s completely lost,” an insider reveals. “She’s always been the one holding things together — for everyone else. But this time, there’s no one left to catch her when she falls.”

A STRING OF TRAGEDIES

It’s been a tough few months for Mac. After her tumultuous breakup with Levi, financial problems at Salt, and growing distance from her brother Dean, the cracks in her façade have deepened. But the true turning point comes when she receives devastating news about a health scare that forces her to re-evaluate her life.

Unable to cope, Mac begins to withdraw from her friends and colleagues, spending long hours alone in the empty bar after closing time. As her isolation grows, so does her despair.

“There’s a moment where she just sits there, surrounded by silence,” Emily Weir tells TV WEEK. “And you can see it in her eyes — she’s completely lost hope. It’s one of the most confronting scenes I’ve ever filmed.”

A CRY FOR HELP

In scenes set to air next week, Felicity (Jacqui Purvis) becomes increasingly worried about Mac’s behaviour and tries to intervene — but her friend pushes her away. The situation reaches a heartbreaking climax when Mac vanishes from the Bay, leaving behind only a note that reads: “I’m sorry. I can’t do this anymore.”

The disappearance sends shockwaves through the community, prompting a desperate search and emotional scenes as her friends fear the worst.

“Felicity blames herself,” says our source. “She saw Mac slipping, but she didn’t realise how bad things had become until it was almost too late.”

A SECOND CHANCE

Thankfully, the storyline takes a hopeful turn when Mac is found safe but shaken several days later, having spent time reflecting on her life and what truly matters. The experience serves as a wake-up call — and marks the beginning of a new chapter for her.

“It’s a really powerful redemption story,” Weir says. “Mac realises she can’t keep pretending she’s fine. It’s okay to not be okay — and it’s okay to ask for help.”

A STORY THAT HITS HOME

Producers say the emotional plot aims to raise awareness about mental health and the importance of community support.

“It’s one of our most meaningful storylines this year,” a spokesperson says. “Emily’s performance is extraordinary. Viewers will see a side of Mac they’ve never seen before.”

For Mac, this might be her lowest point — but it could also be the start of her healing journey. And in true Summer Bay fashion, there’s always a glimmer of light on the horizon.