Home and Away fans have been left reeling after explosive news broke confirming that Ryan Bown — the actor behind Sunny Baldwin — is officially departing the series in early 2026. Viewers weren’t expecting yet another major cast shake-up, especially considering how little time Bown has spent in Summer Bay. Debuting only at the start of 2025, he quickly stole the spotlight as Remy Carter’s charismatic yet deeply complicated best mate.

But despite his short stay, Sunny Baldwin’s storylines have been among the most gripping of the season. What began as a fun-loving, carefree ladies’ man soon spiraled into something far darker as he became entangled with the notorious River Boys and dragged into Theo Poulos’ dangerous orbit. Fans suspected trouble was brewing, but no one anticipated how fast Sunny’s life would collapse.

Recent Australian episodes have delivered the biggest blow yet — a devastating car crash that leaves Sunny with life-altering injuries. Leaked behind-the-scenes whispers hint that Bown has filmed multiple scenes featuring Sunny in a wheelchair, suggesting a grim and uncertain road to recovery. To make matters worse, insiders reveal that Sunny’s downward spiral may soon lead him into addiction treatment, pushing the character into a harrowing new chapter.

With mounting trauma, criminal ties, and emotional turmoil surrounding him, speculation is exploding online:
Is Sunny leaving Summer Bay to seek long-term help… or is this the beginning of a heartbreaking final exit?

Before joining Home and Away, Ryan Bown gained recognition through the BBC drama Everything I Know About Love, later relocating from London to Sydney for his breakout soap role. His performance as Sunny earned immediate praise for his raw intensity and charm — making his sudden departure even harder for fans to accept.

Although Channel 7 and Ryan Bown have yet to release formal statements, news of his impending exit has already sent social media into chaos. Viewers across Australia have expressed shock, disappointment, and confusion. Many argue that Sunny had only just begun to find his footing as a character, with one fan posting:

“Sunny’s story had so much more potential. Why end it now?”

Another wrote:

“Ryan Bown brought a spark to Summer Bay that we haven’t seen in years. I’m devastated he’s leaving.”

Fan theories are flooding online forums. Some believe Sunny will quietly leave town to begin rehab — offering hope for a future return. Others fear the writers are preparing a more tragic send-off, especially considering Sunny’s entanglements with crime, addiction, and emotional trauma. A few even suspect his story may end in a shocking twist tied to the River Boys storyline.

Despite the secrecy, insiders from the production team have dropped some revealing hints. They describe Sunny as a character intentionally crafted to shake up the 2025–2026 era — a catalyst for chaos, redemption, and high drama. According to one source, Bown’s exit is the result of both creative direction and the actor’s personal career goals.

Writers have reportedly prepared a gut-wrenching final arc, one they promise will leave viewers stunned when Sunny’s last scenes air. And although Sunny is stepping out of Summer Bay, the door is far from closed.

“Characters like Sunny Baldwin always have room to return,” a producer teased.

Which means one thing:
Sunny’s story may be ending — but his legacy in Home and Away is only just beginning.

Stay tuned for more major spoilers coming soon!