Angus leaves H20

YOUNG actor Angus McLaren is maturing faster than his magical mermaid co-stars grow their tails.

The 20-year-old star, who has been in the film and television industry for almost a decade, yesterday announced he would be leaving the Gold Coast-based H20: Just Add Water teen drama to focus on developing his 'grown-up' character in Channel Seven's Australian comedy-drama Packed To The Rafters.

The cast and crew were yesterday filming Jonathan M. Shiff Productions' third series of H20: Just Add Water at Warner Roadshow Studios at Oxenford.

The series is about three teenage girls with magical powers who turn into mermaids if they come into contact with water.


McLaren has played the awkward teenager and science nerd Lewis for the past 65 episodes of the highly successful drama series.

In Packed To The Rafters, McLaren plays Nathan Rafter who is married, has responsibilities and loads of family expectations.

"As I'm growing up, the work I'm doing is being aimed at an older audience, it's a natural progression," he said.

McLaren began filming the first series of Packed To The Rafters in between the H20 series. McLaren leaves for Sydney this week.

"It's really sad, it dawned on me yesterday that it was my last Monday on H20 and now it's my last Tuesday -- we've all become close," he said.

"I'm going to miss the Gold Coast."