Greg Feeney
Encyclopedia
Greg Feeney is a fictional character on the New Zealand
soap opera
Shortland Street
, who was portrayed by Tim Balme
for numerous recurring stints throughout the mid to late nineties.
The character arrived in early 1994 as the step brother to established character Carmen Roberts
(Theresa Healey
) and quickly took up the soap's badboy vacancy. A drug dealer and criminal, Greg was constantly in trouble, and causing it himself, helping harmless doctor, Chris Warner
(Michael Galvin
) get addicted to prescription drugs. The character would constantly appear and disappear for the 5 years following his first appearance, having a romance with Kirsty Knight (Angela Dotchin
) for a majority of these stints. The character started an affair with bisexual nurse Caroline Buxton
(Tandi Wright
) in 1999 and ended up leaving the show with a pregnant Caroline on his motorbike.
The character has since become iconic, with his relationship with Caroline also being hailed as memorable. Balme also received praise for his appearances, which he states helped give him confidence in the industry.
auditioned and won the role, first appearing on screen in early 1994. Balme enjoyed the role and the confidence it gave him. After his contract had expired, he returned numerous times over the next 5 years to fulfill the characters storylines.
(Craig Parker
), who believed he had returned to woo ex girlfriend Carmen
(Theresa Healey
) back. It was soon revealed Greg had become Carmen's step brother and he had arrived for help with his drug addiction. Greg got a job at "Kennedy's" and had a brief fling with Alex (Liddy Holloway
) before moving on with Kirsty (Angela Dotchin
). He dealt drugs to drug addict Chris Warner
(Michael Galvin
) and soon fled town, leaving Kirsty with an HIV scare. He returned however and the relationship resumed, shortly before he started an affair with Jo (Greer Robson
). The two left together in late 1994.
Greg returned in December 1995 when he heard of Carmen's death. He started dating Kirsty once again when she suffered amnesia. However, early in the new year, Kirsty realized Greg was still a manipulative drug addict and they broke up. Greg fled Ferndale.
In 1999 Greg once again returned. He started to date Caroline
(Tandi Wright
) and scammed MacKenzie Choat (Ingrid Park
) out of the thousands she stole from the clinic. He and Caroline broke up following the revelation he was a drug dealer. Greg once again fled town. He returned late in the year, having spent the money and getting into trouble with gangs. He got attacked and nearly died, resulting in Caroline returning to him and getting pregnant. The two left on Greg's motorbike in November 1999.
has been described as one of Shortland Streets most memorable couples. Writer, Rachel Lang, thought Balme was perfect for the role, stating:"I was at the bank and there was this guy over at the counter and I thought, 'ooh he looks dodgy', he had that kind of look about him, he's quite a chameleon." A reviewer of the soap stated in 2000 that Greg should be brought back because he made the show addictive with his "badboy" ways.
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 Tim Balme
Tim Balme
Timothy Guy Balme is an actor and screenwriter from New Zealand. He's most famous for his roles on the long-running soap opera Shortland Street and Mercy Peak, as well as lead roles in the cult favorites Braindead and Jack Brown Genius...
for numerous recurring stints throughout the mid to late nineties.
The character arrived in early 1994 as the step brother to established character Carmen Roberts
Carmen Roberts
Carmen Roberts was a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Theresa Healey and appeared on the show from her arrival in mid 1993 to her death in late 1995...
(Theresa Healey
Theresa Healey
Theresa Healey is a New Zealand actress, known mostly for her role as nurse Carmen Roberts in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street.-Early life:...
) and quickly took up the soap's badboy vacancy. A drug dealer and criminal, Greg was constantly in trouble, and causing it himself, helping harmless doctor, Chris Warner
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:...
) get addicted to prescription drugs. The character would constantly appear and disappear for the 5 years following his first appearance, having a romance with Kirsty Knight (Angela Dotchin
Angela Dotchin
-External links:...
) for a majority of these stints. The character started an affair with bisexual nurse Caroline Buxton
Caroline Buxton
Caroline Buxton is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, who was portrayed by Tandi Wright from early 1996 to late 1999....
(Tandi Wright
Tandi Wright
Tandi Wright is a South Africa-born, New Zealand-raised television and film actress. From 1996-1999 she appeared as Nurse Caroline Buxton in Shortland Street...
) in 1999 and ended up leaving the show with a pregnant Caroline on his motorbike.
The character has since become iconic, with his relationship with Caroline also being hailed as memorable. Balme also received praise for his appearances, which he states helped give him confidence in the industry.
Creation and casting
Greg was created as a love interest for established character, Kirsty Knight. Tim BalmeTim Balme
Timothy Guy Balme is an actor and screenwriter from New Zealand. He's most famous for his roles on the long-running soap opera Shortland Street and Mercy Peak, as well as lead roles in the cult favorites Braindead and Jack Brown Genius...
auditioned and won the role, first appearing on screen in early 1994. Balme enjoyed the role and the confidence it gave him. After his contract had expired, he returned numerous times over the next 5 years to fulfill the characters storylines.
1994-1999
Greg arrived in early 1994, displacing GuyGuy Warner
Guy Warner is a fictional character in the long running New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Craig Parker in a guest role in 1992 before returning as core cast from 1993 to 1996...
(Craig Parker
Craig Parker
Craig Parker is a New Zealand actor who was based in the United Kingdom for some time, but now resides in New Zealand. His grandfather moved from Edinburgh, Scotland to Fiji when he was stationed during his years of service in the British Army...
), who believed he had returned to woo ex girlfriend Carmen
Carmen Roberts
Carmen Roberts was a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Theresa Healey and appeared on the show from her arrival in mid 1993 to her death in late 1995...
(Theresa Healey
Theresa Healey
Theresa Healey is a New Zealand actress, known mostly for her role as nurse Carmen Roberts in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street.-Early life:...
) back. It was soon revealed Greg had become Carmen's step brother and he had arrived for help with his drug addiction. Greg got a job at "Kennedy's" and had a brief fling with Alex (Liddy Holloway
Liddy Holloway
Elizabeth Brenda "Liddy" Holloway was a New Zealand actress.Born in Wellington, New Zealand, the daughter of a politician, Phil Holloway, Liddy Holloway originally worked as a journalist. She switched to acting and had a long career in the theater...
) before moving on with Kirsty (Angela Dotchin
Angela Dotchin
-External links:...
). He dealt drugs to drug addict Chris Warner
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:...
) and soon fled town, leaving Kirsty with an HIV scare. He returned however and the relationship resumed, shortly before he started an affair with Jo (Greer Robson
Greer Robson
Greer Robson-Kirk born is a New Zealand television actress well known for her role in the Television Drama, Shortland Street.-Biography:...
). The two left together in late 1994.
Greg returned in December 1995 when he heard of Carmen's death. He started dating Kirsty once again when she suffered amnesia. However, early in the new year, Kirsty realized Greg was still a manipulative drug addict and they broke up. Greg fled Ferndale.
In 1999 Greg once again returned. He started to date Caroline
Caroline Buxton
Caroline Buxton is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, who was portrayed by Tandi Wright from early 1996 to late 1999....
(Tandi Wright
Tandi Wright
Tandi Wright is a South Africa-born, New Zealand-raised television and film actress. From 1996-1999 she appeared as Nurse Caroline Buxton in Shortland Street...
) and scammed MacKenzie Choat (Ingrid Park
Ingrid Park
Ingrid Park is a New Zealand actress, best known for her role as the evil Dr. MacKenzie Choat in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street .-Career:...
) out of the thousands she stole from the clinic. He and Caroline broke up following the revelation he was a drug dealer. Greg once again fled town. He returned late in the year, having spent the money and getting into trouble with gangs. He got attacked and nearly died, resulting in Caroline returning to him and getting pregnant. The two left on Greg's motorbike in November 1999.
Reception
Since his departure Greg has become an iconic villain on the soap. His romance with CarolineCaroline Buxton
Caroline Buxton is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, who was portrayed by Tandi Wright from early 1996 to late 1999....
has been described as one of Shortland Streets most memorable couples. Writer, Rachel Lang, thought Balme was perfect for the role, stating:"I was at the bank and there was this guy over at the counter and I thought, 'ooh he looks dodgy', he had that kind of look about him, he's quite a chameleon." A reviewer of the soap stated in 2000 that Greg should be brought back because he made the show addictive with his "badboy" ways.