Delphi Greenlaw
Encyclopedia
Delphine "Delphi" Greenlaw is a fictional character on the New Zealand
soap opera
Shortland Street
, who was portrayed by Anna Hutchison
between 2002 and 2004.
The character arrived in early 2002 as the teenage sister of Geoff (Andrew Laing
) and his adoptive sister, Anne Greenlaw (Emmeline Hawthorne). The characters tomboy
ways saw her favour rugby
over fashion and as a result, she was isolated from her peers. The character participated in a hugely high profile storyline in 2003 where she fell for much older man, Dom
(Shane Cortese
), who went on to murder Geoff. The character departed in 2004 following the death of both her siblings and intimidation from Dom.
Delphi was highly praised throughout her two year run, with Hutchison receiving numerous award nominations and winning the "Rising Star" prize in the 2004 TV Guide Best on the Box People's Choice Awards. The characters romance with Dom and struggle with anorexia
has seen the character's storylines become iconic since her departure.
landed the 6 month role of the youngest member of the Greenlaw family in late 2002 and started filming in early 2003. However Hutchison's hair was long and blonde, something the producers did not see Delphi wearing and Hutchison was forced to cut and dye it into a mullet. The producers were so impressed by Hutchison, the character of Delphi was extended beyond her 6 months and given meatier storylines. As the character grew up and her personality changed, Hutchison was allowed to grow out her hair again.
) and Anne Greenlaw (Emmeline Hawthorne). Bullied and picked on for being a tomboy, Delphi successfully tried out for the rugby team and got in. However the bullying took its toll and Delphi suffered an eating disorder. In 2003 Delphi became besotted by Geoff's friend, Dominic Thompson
(Shane Cortese
). When she turned 16, the boyish Delphi drastically changed into a more feminine young women in a bid to impress Dom and ended up losing her virginity to her drug dealer boyfriend. When his friends tried to gang rape Delphi, Dom saved her and Delphi attempted to stop him marrying Emily (Sarah Somerville) to no avail. However Dom fell in love with Delphi and the two started to date and planned to leave the country. But when the mutually attracted Marshall (Paul Reid
) showed Delphi evidence that Dom had murdered Geoff, but she was trapped with Dom about to leave the country.
Delphi confronted Dom and he fled Ferndale, fueling the assumption he had killed Geoff. Delphi started to attend university but when Dom returned to Ferndale, she decided it was time to leave and told Chris
(Michael Galvin
) about the evidence connecting Dom to the crime. Dom confronted Delphi but she was saved, shortly before she left the country in tears.
. Dom's portrayer, Shane Cortese
was at first uncomfortable with the storyline, stating; "I was very worried about the age difference but the way it's been done and written is really respectful." Cortese also believed despite the age difference, Dom was truely in love with Delphi; "Dom sees Delphi as his soul mate, she affects him in a way no one has before because he's always been suspicious of relationships. He doesn't have to pretend to be anyone else for her to like him." Producer Harriet Crampton enjoyed the romance and how it contrasted with Dom's evil character, stating; "To have a villain who has a strong sincere love or passion makes you think, ‘Okay, he’s an absolute bastard but we know he does love Delphi." The two first get together when Delphi turns 16, sharing a kiss. The two eventually start a relationship but break up when Dom comes under question of Geoff's murder in arguably one of the soap's most memorable storylines. Dom flees when Delphi confronts him about the murder but later returns, with Cortese suggesting it was for love; "But the thing about Dominic is he believes he's doing everything for the right reasons. He's done everything he can for Delphi — that's his main reason for coming back." Dom later scares Delphi into fleeing the country, ending the once seemingly perfect relationship.
received the "Rising Star" award in the TV Guide Best on the Box People's Choice Awards 2004 for her portrayal of Delphi. That same year she also received a nomination for "Best Juvenile Actor in a Television Series" in the New Zealand Television & Film Awards. Hutchison went on to be nominated for the "Best Actress" award in both the 2004 and 2005 TV Guide Best on the Box People's Choice Awards for portraying Delphi. Delphi's eating disorder was named as a key part of the 2002 series and her romance with the villainous Dom
has been cited as an iconic and controversial storyline and cliffhanger. Frances Grant of The New Zealand Herald
praised the character of Delphi, suggesting after her terrific year she deserved to be the focus of the 2003 cliffhanger, while Greg Dixon offered a more negative opinion, calling the character "incredibly annoying". Since the characters departure, Delphi has been described as "likable".
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Shortland Street
Shortland Street
Shortland Street is a New Zealand prime-time soap opera, first broadcast on Television New Zealand's TV2 on 25 May 1992. It is the country's longest-running drama and soap opera, being broadcast continuously for over 4500 episodes and 19 years, and is one of the most watched television programs in...
, who was portrayed by Anna Hutchison
Anna Hutchison
Anna Hutchison is a New Zealand actress. She is known for her roles on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and American series Power Rangers: Jungle Fury...
between 2002 and 2004.
The character arrived in early 2002 as the teenage sister of Geoff (Andrew Laing
Andrew Laing
Andrew Laing is a New Zealand actor best known for his role as Dr. Geoff Greenlaw in the popular soap opera, Shortland Street.-Filmography:-External links:...
) and his adoptive sister, Anne Greenlaw (Emmeline Hawthorne). The characters tomboy
Tomboy
A tomboy is a girl who exhibits characteristics or behaviors considered typical of the gender role of a boy, including the wearing of typically masculine-oriented clothes and engaging in games and activities that are often physical in nature, and which are considered in many cultures to be the...
ways saw her favour rugby
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
over fashion and as a result, she was isolated from her peers. The character participated in a hugely high profile storyline in 2003 where she fell for much older man, Dom
Dominic Thompson
Dominic "Dom" Thompson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Shane Cortese and since the characters death, Dom has picked up an icon status for his explosive storylines....
(Shane Cortese
Shane Cortese
Shane Cortese is a New Zealand actor and singer, known for his role as the evil Dominic Thompson on New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and Hayden Peters on hit show Outrageous Fortune. He was also a runner-up on Season 1 of NZ Dancing With The Stars in 2005.-Career:Cortese trained at...
), who went on to murder Geoff. The character departed in 2004 following the death of both her siblings and intimidation from Dom.
Delphi was highly praised throughout her two year run, with Hutchison receiving numerous award nominations and winning the "Rising Star" prize in the 2004 TV Guide Best on the Box People's Choice Awards. The characters romance with Dom and struggle with anorexia
Anorexia
- Eating conditions :* Anorexia , the symptom of poor appetite whatever the cause* Anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder of excessive weight loss and usually undue concern about body shape...
has seen the character's storylines become iconic since her departure.
Creation and casting
Anna HutchisonAnna Hutchison
Anna Hutchison is a New Zealand actress. She is known for her roles on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and American series Power Rangers: Jungle Fury...
landed the 6 month role of the youngest member of the Greenlaw family in late 2002 and started filming in early 2003. However Hutchison's hair was long and blonde, something the producers did not see Delphi wearing and Hutchison was forced to cut and dye it into a mullet. The producers were so impressed by Hutchison, the character of Delphi was extended beyond her 6 months and given meatier storylines. As the character grew up and her personality changed, Hutchison was allowed to grow out her hair again.
2002-2004
Delphi arrived to Ferndale in 2002 as the younger sister of Geoff (Andrew LaingAndrew Laing
Andrew Laing is a New Zealand actor best known for his role as Dr. Geoff Greenlaw in the popular soap opera, Shortland Street.-Filmography:-External links:...
) and Anne Greenlaw (Emmeline Hawthorne). Bullied and picked on for being a tomboy, Delphi successfully tried out for the rugby team and got in. However the bullying took its toll and Delphi suffered an eating disorder. In 2003 Delphi became besotted by Geoff's friend, Dominic Thompson
Dominic Thompson
Dominic "Dom" Thompson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Shane Cortese and since the characters death, Dom has picked up an icon status for his explosive storylines....
(Shane Cortese
Shane Cortese
Shane Cortese is a New Zealand actor and singer, known for his role as the evil Dominic Thompson on New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and Hayden Peters on hit show Outrageous Fortune. He was also a runner-up on Season 1 of NZ Dancing With The Stars in 2005.-Career:Cortese trained at...
). When she turned 16, the boyish Delphi drastically changed into a more feminine young women in a bid to impress Dom and ended up losing her virginity to her drug dealer boyfriend. When his friends tried to gang rape Delphi, Dom saved her and Delphi attempted to stop him marrying Emily (Sarah Somerville) to no avail. However Dom fell in love with Delphi and the two started to date and planned to leave the country. But when the mutually attracted Marshall (Paul Reid
Paul Reid (New Zealand actor)
Paul Reid is a New Zealand actor noted for his role as Marshall Heywood on the long-running TV series Shortland Street.-External links:...
) showed Delphi evidence that Dom had murdered Geoff, but she was trapped with Dom about to leave the country.
Delphi confronted Dom and he fled Ferndale, fueling the assumption he had killed Geoff. Delphi started to attend university but when Dom returned to Ferndale, she decided it was time to leave and told Chris
Chris Warner
Dr. Christopher "Chris" Warner is a fictional character and current main protagonist on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He is portrayed by Michael Galvin. He is the only original character to still be on the show....
(Michael Galvin
Michael Galvin
Michael Galvin is a New Zealand actor, singer and playwright, well known for his role as Dr. Chris Warner on the soap opera Shortland Street, a character he has played almost continuously since the shows debut in 1992.-Early life:...
) about the evidence connecting Dom to the crime. Dom confronted Delphi but she was saved, shortly before she left the country in tears.
Relationship with Dom
In 2003 the 15 year old character underwent a storyline where she fell for her brother's friend Dominic ThompsonDominic Thompson
Dominic "Dom" Thompson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Shane Cortese and since the characters death, Dom has picked up an icon status for his explosive storylines....
. Dom's portrayer, Shane Cortese
Shane Cortese
Shane Cortese is a New Zealand actor and singer, known for his role as the evil Dominic Thompson on New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and Hayden Peters on hit show Outrageous Fortune. He was also a runner-up on Season 1 of NZ Dancing With The Stars in 2005.-Career:Cortese trained at...
was at first uncomfortable with the storyline, stating; "I was very worried about the age difference but the way it's been done and written is really respectful." Cortese also believed despite the age difference, Dom was truely in love with Delphi; "Dom sees Delphi as his soul mate, she affects him in a way no one has before because he's always been suspicious of relationships. He doesn't have to pretend to be anyone else for her to like him." Producer Harriet Crampton enjoyed the romance and how it contrasted with Dom's evil character, stating; "To have a villain who has a strong sincere love or passion makes you think, ‘Okay, he’s an absolute bastard but we know he does love Delphi." The two first get together when Delphi turns 16, sharing a kiss. The two eventually start a relationship but break up when Dom comes under question of Geoff's murder in arguably one of the soap's most memorable storylines. Dom flees when Delphi confronts him about the murder but later returns, with Cortese suggesting it was for love; "But the thing about Dominic is he believes he's doing everything for the right reasons. He's done everything he can for Delphi — that's his main reason for coming back." Dom later scares Delphi into fleeing the country, ending the once seemingly perfect relationship.
Reception
HutchisonAnna Hutchison
Anna Hutchison is a New Zealand actress. She is known for her roles on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and American series Power Rangers: Jungle Fury...
received the "Rising Star" award in the TV Guide Best on the Box People's Choice Awards 2004 for her portrayal of Delphi. That same year she also received a nomination for "Best Juvenile Actor in a Television Series" in the New Zealand Television & Film Awards. Hutchison went on to be nominated for the "Best Actress" award in both the 2004 and 2005 TV Guide Best on the Box People's Choice Awards for portraying Delphi. Delphi's eating disorder was named as a key part of the 2002 series and her romance with the villainous Dom
Dominic Thompson
Dominic "Dom" Thompson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Shane Cortese and since the characters death, Dom has picked up an icon status for his explosive storylines....
has been cited as an iconic and controversial storyline and cliffhanger. Frances Grant of The New Zealand Herald
The New Zealand Herald
- External links :* * *...
praised the character of Delphi, suggesting after her terrific year she deserved to be the focus of the 2003 cliffhanger, while Greg Dixon offered a more negative opinion, calling the character "incredibly annoying". Since the characters departure, Delphi has been described as "likable".