Jonathan McKenna
Encyclopedia
Dr. Jonathon Alexander McKenna is a fictional character
in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street
. He is portrayed by Kieren Hutchison
and appeared in recurring and regular stints as a teenager throughout the early to mid nineties as part of the McKenna family unit before returning as an adult surgeon for 6 months in 2011.
He arrived in late 1993 as the troublesome brother of Rachel McKenna
(Angela Bloomfield
) and arch nemesis of Nick Harrison
(Karl Burnett
). It was not long before he came out gay and began a relationship with paramedic Jamie Forrest
(Karl Urban
). After going in and out of medical school, Jonathon ended up having an HIV scare and leaving town for good. He returned on 23 May 2011 after a 15 year break, making him the character with the longest break between appearances. The character revealed he was bisexual, broke girlfriend Gabrielle Jacobs
' (Virginie Le Brun
) heart and departed in mid November.
The characters cheeky and at times, arrogant behavior has caused the character to be at odd's many times with his family, especially father, Michael (Paul Gittins
) and sister, Rachel. However the character maintained a loving relationship with mother Alex (Liddy Holloway
) throughout his many stints.
, producers decided to create the character of Jonathon, the gay brother of established character Rachel McKenna
. Kieren Hutchison
auditioned for the role when he was 18 and eventually learned he had secured the role, much to his surprise as he considered his audition "shocking". The job was not what he expected but he soon settled in and enjoyed working alongside screen sister, Angela Bloomfield
. After leaving in 1995, Hutchison scored a return to the role in 1996 and was interested at how the character's storylines and dynamics had changed following the departure of his parents.
) and Michael (Chris Warner
) again has been fantastic." It was announced that Jonathon would appear in a 6 month stint. The character departed on 11 November 2011.
(Paul Gittins
) and Alex McKenna (Liddy Holloway
) sent him to. He gains praise from his parents by appearing in the school production, taking the role Nick
(Karl Burnett
) was going for. Its soon clear he has a crush with many suspecting young nurse Jo Jordan (Greer Robson
). Sister, Rachel
(Angela Bloomfield
) reads his diary and finds he is gay, with the crush being paramedic Jamie Forrest
(Karl Urban
). Jonathon and Jamie start to date infuriating Michael.
In 1994, Michael and Alex struggle to cope with Jonathon's sexuality but learn to adjust to it. Eventually, they save Jonathon and Jamie from a group of homophobic attackers. The relationship does not last, however as Jamie breaks up with Jonathon as he wants a more serious relationship. They both leave Shortland Street separately. Jonathon returns however when Alex falls into a coma.
In 1995, Jonathon leaves again to go to medical school. In 1996, a social worker named Kane Taiaroa (Joe Folau) that Rachel is interested in, and whom is in a relationship with Rebecca (Luisa Burgess), comes out to a returned Jonathon and the two start to have an affair. But Jonathon is shocked when he finds he may have contracted HIV. After the tests come back clear, Jonathon decides to visit his father in the countryside.
(Michael Galvin
) that she has decided to go and visit her brother in Australia. However the supposed visit is just a lie Rachel has concocted to cover for a tubaligation that she has behind Chris' back.
Upon Rachel's return to Shortland Street in 2009, Rachel announces she has lost all contact with Jonathon.
In September 2010, Rachel McKenna receives a phone call saying that Jonathon has been in a very serious car crash but is in a stable condition. She travels to meet him and he eventually recovers.
and starts to date Gabrielle Jacobs
(Virginie Le Brun
). In July Jonathon finally regains his eyesight. Growing sick of Gabrielle, Jonathon develops a crush on Daniel Potts
(Ido Drent
). He breaks up with Gabrielle and makes moves on Daniel, only to be punched. He decides to travel back to Los Angeles and departs in mid November.
He quickly caused a stir upon arrival, competing with childhood nemesis Nick Harrison
, who though the same age was much more immature. Jonathon was considered highly attractive by the female teenagers with Nick's girlfriend Olivia taking a shine to the egotistical Jonathon. Jonathon's many scenes with younger sister Rachel
portrayed the two often in argument, with Rachel sticking up for friend Nick while Jonathon constantly degraded and insulted him. Jonathon, under the eye of Alex, joins the drama school and takes the role Nick was pining for. With yet another reason to brag, Jonathon pleases his parents while infuriating Rachel. She sabotages his sleep plan to make sure he misses the production with Nick taking the role. While continuing his studies at school and pleasing his father Michael with his academic results, the arrogant schoolboy begins to show signs of having a crush. With the audience and characters expecting the crush to be young nurse Jo Jordan, Rachel discovers it is gay paramedic Jamie Forrest
. Instantly propelled to the forefront of the show portraying key social commentary to viewers, Jonathon and Jamie's relationship would continue for several months. The storyline saw Jamie hesitant to start up with an unexperienced school boy, falling in love and overcoming the disappointment of Michael. The storyline also saw Michael coming to terms with his son's new found sexuality and struggling to cope. The storyline culminated in Michael saving the boys from a group of drunks and the two later breaking up due to Jonathon's inability to take the relationship seriously. Having finished school in 1994, Jonathon is pressured by Michael to take a job as an orderly at the clinic. He learns about illness and goes under the wing of Dr. Simon Hilton-Jones and helps Jamie come to terms with the deal of HIV patient Damon. Jonathon soon leaves Ferndale for a position in Otago medical school.
Jonathon returned later in the year after his beloved mother, Alex fell into a coma. He stayed with her and heavily disapproved of her decision to get back together with Michael. He again left in early 1995 to attend medical school. The character returned to the show in 1996, with the two parent characters having left the show in 1995, Jonathon and Rachel appeared as more independent with Jonathon taking on even more serious issues. Upon his reappearance, Jonathon was a medical student and quickly sought employment at Shortland Steet, winning a job in the research department alongside Emily Devine. The character also dabbled in drugs. Hutchison enjoyed the experience, saying; "It has also been interesting not having Jonathon's parents on the show - his storylines are now quite different." Jonathon developed a good friendship with the quirky Emily but also grew a crush on social worker Kane. Jonathon encouraged Kane to come out and the two started an affair. However upon Kane departure, Jonathon learned he may have HIV. Hesitant and scared, Jonathon refused tests, causing the deeply concerned Emily to take a blood test behind his back. The results came back negative, but upon hearing of Emily's betrayal Jonathon was outraged and wanted nothing more to do with his co worker. The two eventually reconnected and Jonathon decided to visit his parents in the country.
Jonathon arrives unannounced to Rachel and her boyfriend Chris
' house in May 2011 and it is revealed he needs high risk surgery on his brain after a car accident in 2010. Though Jonathon still has traits of arrogance, he is shown to be mature and grown up. Having finally become a world class surgeon, Jonathon is devastated his brain damage stops him from doing his job. He gets the surgery however falls blind afterwards. His blindness is revealed to be that of Hysterical Blindness
and Jonathon soon falls for his surgeon Gabrielle Jacobs
. This storyline saw huge backlash with the openly homosexual Jonathon pursuing the female Gabrielle. Jonathon revealed he was now bisexual and the two began dating. After admitting his fear he will underperform at his job, Jonathon regains his sight and gains a job at the hospital. He and Gabrielle hit a rocky patch when he grows sick of her routine behavior and lack of spontaneous characteristics, he tries to accept her for who she is but is quick to develop a crush on the young Daniel
. Jonathon dumps Gabrielle and decides to leave the country, sending her into a downward spiral. He makes a move on Daniel, only to be assaulted and then leaves back to Los Angeles.
. However as the storyline developed and Hutchison had numerous breaks, this was never explained in detail. Everytime Hutchison returned to filming, producers ensured him they would explore the storyline and he would get a female love interest, Hutchison explained the idea saying; "the whole point is that he's quite comfortable with the fact that he likes both sexes even though other people don't get it." Jonathon was slated to return after his departure in 1996 and was promised the storyline would be played, but he decided to leave the show. Upon being asked to reprise the role in 2011, producer Steven Zanoski suggested they retry the lost storyline and Hutchison happily agreed. As a result of no previous knowledge to Jonathon's bisexuality, fans were outraged at the storyline that saw Jonathon date Gabrielle Jacobs
.
proved both controversial and ground breaking. The couple's kiss became the first same sex kiss on prime time New Zealand television and the storyline even helped a closeted gay male accept his sexuality. The couple's same sex relationship was at the time so controversial that the kiss was not actually shown, with only Sam
's expression being witnessed. Medical students also enjoyed how Jonathon represented their lives, with one saying; "It amused us when Jonathon talked about living in Dunedin, his classes at Medical School, his friends and so on. It is script for him but reality for us."
. Following weeks of criticism, scenes aired in June where Jonathon stated he was bisexual, contradicting comments made in past years.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the New Zealand soap opera 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...
. He is portrayed by Kieren Hutchison
Kieren Hutchison
Kieren Robert Hutchison is a New Zealand actor. He was born in Auckland, New Zealand.-Career:Hutchison is best known for playing the roles of Jonathon McKenna in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, Andy Hargrove on One Tree Hill, Kerry Connelly on Wildfire and Jake Preston on Monarch Cove...
and appeared in recurring and regular stints as a teenager throughout the early to mid nineties as part of the McKenna family unit before returning as an adult surgeon for 6 months in 2011.
He arrived in late 1993 as the troublesome brother of Rachel McKenna
Rachel McKenna
Rachel McKenna is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Angela Bloomfield. Rachel first appeared on the show from 1993 to 1999. Then from 2001 to 2003. Rachel then made a very brief appearance in 2007 before returning as a core cast member in October 2009...
(Angela Bloomfield
Angela Bloomfield
-Career:She starred in Shortland Street for nine years, transforming Rachel McKenna from the school girl daughter of clinic boss into a university student, bar manager and later, a Shortland Street clinic employee....
) and arch nemesis of Nick Harrison
Nick Harrison
Nick Harrison was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Karl Burnett and was the longest running original cast member on the show first appearing in 1992 and running for 13 years until 2005....
(Karl Burnett
Karl Burnett
Karl Burnett is a New Zealand actor born 27 February 1976 best known for his portrayal of Nick Harrison on the long-running New Zealand soap opera, Shortland Street. He was 16 years old when offered the role of Nick Harrison on the popular New Zealand soap Shortland Street in 1992...
). It was not long before he came out gay and began a relationship with paramedic Jamie Forrest
Jamie Forrest
Jamie Forrest was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. The character was portrayed by Karl Urban for a guest stint in mid 1993 before returning later in the year for a 6 month recurring stint...
(Karl Urban
Karl Urban
Karl-Heinz Urban is a New Zealand actor.He is known for playing Éomer in the second and third installments of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy in the 2009 film Star Trek and Julius Caesar on Xena: Warrior Princess...
). After going in and out of medical school, Jonathon ended up having an HIV scare and leaving town for good. He returned on 23 May 2011 after a 15 year break, making him the character with the longest break between appearances. The character revealed he was bisexual, broke girlfriend Gabrielle Jacobs
Gabrielle Jacobs
Dr. Gabrielle Jacobs is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and has been portrayed by Virginie Le Brun throughout two stints, the first from 2009 to 2010 and the second from 2011 to present...
' (Virginie Le Brun
Virginie Le Brun
Virginie Le Brun is a New Zealand actress best known for her role as Dr. Gabrielle Jacobs in the TV series Shortland Street. She is the daughter of vintners Adele and Daniel Le Brun.-External links:...
) heart and departed in mid November.
The characters cheeky and at times, arrogant behavior has caused the character to be at odd's many times with his family, especially father, Michael (Paul Gittins
Paul Gittins
Paul Gittins is a New Zealand actor who is best known for playing Doctor Michael McKenna in Shortland Street from 1992 to 1995 and 1998 to 1999, and he has also appeared in The End of the Golden Weather, Xena: Warrior Princess, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, City Life, The Whole of the Moon and...
) and sister, Rachel. However the character maintained a loving relationship with mother 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...
) throughout his many stints.
Creation and casting
After plans for a homosexual heart throb fell through in the development of original character Stuart NeilsonStuart Neilson
Stuart Neilson was a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Martin Henderson and was part of the original cast, with a lot of the first episode focusing around him....
, producers decided to create the character of Jonathon, the gay brother of established character Rachel McKenna
Rachel McKenna
Rachel McKenna is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Angela Bloomfield. Rachel first appeared on the show from 1993 to 1999. Then from 2001 to 2003. Rachel then made a very brief appearance in 2007 before returning as a core cast member in October 2009...
. Kieren Hutchison
Kieren Hutchison
Kieren Robert Hutchison is a New Zealand actor. He was born in Auckland, New Zealand.-Career:Hutchison is best known for playing the roles of Jonathon McKenna in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, Andy Hargrove on One Tree Hill, Kerry Connelly on Wildfire and Jake Preston on Monarch Cove...
auditioned for the role when he was 18 and eventually learned he had secured the role, much to his surprise as he considered his audition "shocking". The job was not what he expected but he soon settled in and enjoyed working alongside screen sister, Angela Bloomfield
Angela Bloomfield
-Career:She starred in Shortland Street for nine years, transforming Rachel McKenna from the school girl daughter of clinic boss into a university student, bar manager and later, a Shortland Street clinic employee....
. After leaving in 1995, Hutchison scored a return to the role in 1996 and was interested at how the character's storylines and dynamics had changed following the departure of his parents.
Departure
It was announced that Jonathon was to have 'a break' from the show in September 1996 so Hutchison could film scenes for the television series, "The Swiss Family Robinson". Jonathon was slated to return the following year, but Hutchison decided against it.Return
In April 2011 it was announced that a "former cast member" would be returning with the news being revealed on 12 May that Rachel's brother, Jonathon would be returning, still played by Kieren Hutchison. Hutchison was quoted as saying: "It was really nice to have some familiar faces in the building. Being able to work with Angela (Rachel McKennaRachel McKenna
Rachel McKenna is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Angela Bloomfield. Rachel first appeared on the show from 1993 to 1999. Then from 2001 to 2003. Rachel then made a very brief appearance in 2007 before returning as a core cast member in October 2009...
) and Michael (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....
) again has been fantastic." It was announced that Jonathon would appear in a 6 month stint. The character departed on 11 November 2011.
1993-1996
Jonathon arrives in October 1993 having been expelled from a boarding school in Australia his parents, MichaelMichael McKenna
Dr. Michael McKenna is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera, Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Paul Gittins and was part of the original cast.-Creation and Casting:...
(Paul Gittins
Paul Gittins
Paul Gittins is a New Zealand actor who is best known for playing Doctor Michael McKenna in Shortland Street from 1992 to 1995 and 1998 to 1999, and he has also appeared in The End of the Golden Weather, Xena: Warrior Princess, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, City Life, The Whole of the Moon and...
) and Alex McKenna (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...
) sent him to. He gains praise from his parents by appearing in the school production, taking the role Nick
Nick Harrison
Nick Harrison was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Karl Burnett and was the longest running original cast member on the show first appearing in 1992 and running for 13 years until 2005....
(Karl Burnett
Karl Burnett
Karl Burnett is a New Zealand actor born 27 February 1976 best known for his portrayal of Nick Harrison on the long-running New Zealand soap opera, Shortland Street. He was 16 years old when offered the role of Nick Harrison on the popular New Zealand soap Shortland Street in 1992...
) was going for. Its soon clear he has a crush with many suspecting young nurse Jo Jordan (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:...
). Sister, Rachel
Rachel McKenna
Rachel McKenna is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Angela Bloomfield. Rachel first appeared on the show from 1993 to 1999. Then from 2001 to 2003. Rachel then made a very brief appearance in 2007 before returning as a core cast member in October 2009...
(Angela Bloomfield
Angela Bloomfield
-Career:She starred in Shortland Street for nine years, transforming Rachel McKenna from the school girl daughter of clinic boss into a university student, bar manager and later, a Shortland Street clinic employee....
) reads his diary and finds he is gay, with the crush being paramedic Jamie Forrest
Jamie Forrest
Jamie Forrest was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. The character was portrayed by Karl Urban for a guest stint in mid 1993 before returning later in the year for a 6 month recurring stint...
(Karl Urban
Karl Urban
Karl-Heinz Urban is a New Zealand actor.He is known for playing Éomer in the second and third installments of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy in the 2009 film Star Trek and Julius Caesar on Xena: Warrior Princess...
). Jonathon and Jamie start to date infuriating Michael.
In 1994, Michael and Alex struggle to cope with Jonathon's sexuality but learn to adjust to it. Eventually, they save Jonathon and Jamie from a group of homophobic attackers. The relationship does not last, however as Jamie breaks up with Jonathon as he wants a more serious relationship. They both leave Shortland Street separately. Jonathon returns however when Alex falls into a coma.
In 1995, Jonathon leaves again to go to medical school. In 1996, a social worker named Kane Taiaroa (Joe Folau) that Rachel is interested in, and whom is in a relationship with Rebecca (Luisa Burgess), comes out to a returned Jonathon and the two start to have an affair. But Jonathon is shocked when he finds he may have contracted HIV. After the tests come back clear, Jonathon decides to visit his father in the countryside.
2002-2010
In 2002, Rachel tells ChrisChris 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:...
) that she has decided to go and visit her brother in Australia. However the supposed visit is just a lie Rachel has concocted to cover for a tubaligation that she has behind Chris' back.
Upon Rachel's return to Shortland Street in 2009, Rachel announces she has lost all contact with Jonathon.
In September 2010, Rachel McKenna receives a phone call saying that Jonathon has been in a very serious car crash but is in a stable condition. She travels to meet him and he eventually recovers.
2011-
On 23 May 2011, Jonathon arrives to the Warner Mansion unannounced, claiming he is there to reconnect with Rachel. However it is soon clear he is back to receive high risk surgery on his brain following his car accident the past year. He develops Hysterical BlindnessConversion disorder
Conversion disorder is a condition in which patients present with neurological symptoms such as numbness, blindness, paralysis, or fits without a neurological cause. It is thought that these problems arise in response to difficulties in the patient's life, and conversion is considered a psychiatric...
and starts to date Gabrielle Jacobs
Gabrielle Jacobs
Dr. Gabrielle Jacobs is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and has been portrayed by Virginie Le Brun throughout two stints, the first from 2009 to 2010 and the second from 2011 to present...
(Virginie Le Brun
Virginie Le Brun
Virginie Le Brun is a New Zealand actress best known for her role as Dr. Gabrielle Jacobs in the TV series Shortland Street. She is the daughter of vintners Adele and Daniel Le Brun.-External links:...
). In July Jonathon finally regains his eyesight. Growing sick of Gabrielle, Jonathon develops a crush on Daniel Potts
Daniel Potts
Daniel Potts is a fictional character in the soap opera Shortland Street. The role was originated by actor Jarred Blakiston from 2004–2005 and again briefly in 2007 before Ido Drent took over in 2009...
(Ido Drent
Ido Drent
Ido Drent is a South African actor currently working and living in Auckland, New Zealand. He is best known to television audiences as Daniel Potts in the long running soap opera Shortland Street.-Early life:...
). He breaks up with Gabrielle and makes moves on Daniel, only to be punched. He decides to travel back to Los Angeles and departs in mid November.
Storyline development
Jonathon arrived to screens in October 1993 as the final addition to the McKenna family unit, led by patriarch Michael. He was described as "Drop dead gorgeous, highly intelligent, gifted athlete and all round Mr Nice Guy". His personality however was labelled as arrogant and was "by no means cruel but his arrogant flippancy cuts like a knife. Having never experienced rejection and self-doubt, Jonathon is blithely ignorant of the emotional pain of others." He was; "protective of his baby sister but often finds himself competing wither her for parental funds and attention." and his relationship with mother Alex was described as; "Jonathon and Alex are best of friends and he is Alex's staunchest ally in her stormy relationship with Michael."He quickly caused a stir upon arrival, competing with childhood nemesis Nick Harrison
Nick Harrison
Nick Harrison was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Karl Burnett and was the longest running original cast member on the show first appearing in 1992 and running for 13 years until 2005....
, who though the same age was much more immature. Jonathon was considered highly attractive by the female teenagers with Nick's girlfriend Olivia taking a shine to the egotistical Jonathon. Jonathon's many scenes with younger sister Rachel
Rachel McKenna
Rachel McKenna is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Angela Bloomfield. Rachel first appeared on the show from 1993 to 1999. Then from 2001 to 2003. Rachel then made a very brief appearance in 2007 before returning as a core cast member in October 2009...
portrayed the two often in argument, with Rachel sticking up for friend Nick while Jonathon constantly degraded and insulted him. Jonathon, under the eye of Alex, joins the drama school and takes the role Nick was pining for. With yet another reason to brag, Jonathon pleases his parents while infuriating Rachel. She sabotages his sleep plan to make sure he misses the production with Nick taking the role. While continuing his studies at school and pleasing his father Michael with his academic results, the arrogant schoolboy begins to show signs of having a crush. With the audience and characters expecting the crush to be young nurse Jo Jordan, Rachel discovers it is gay paramedic Jamie Forrest
Jamie Forrest
Jamie Forrest was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. The character was portrayed by Karl Urban for a guest stint in mid 1993 before returning later in the year for a 6 month recurring stint...
. Instantly propelled to the forefront of the show portraying key social commentary to viewers, Jonathon and Jamie's relationship would continue for several months. The storyline saw Jamie hesitant to start up with an unexperienced school boy, falling in love and overcoming the disappointment of Michael. The storyline also saw Michael coming to terms with his son's new found sexuality and struggling to cope. The storyline culminated in Michael saving the boys from a group of drunks and the two later breaking up due to Jonathon's inability to take the relationship seriously. Having finished school in 1994, Jonathon is pressured by Michael to take a job as an orderly at the clinic. He learns about illness and goes under the wing of Dr. Simon Hilton-Jones and helps Jamie come to terms with the deal of HIV patient Damon. Jonathon soon leaves Ferndale for a position in Otago medical school.
Jonathon returned later in the year after his beloved mother, Alex fell into a coma. He stayed with her and heavily disapproved of her decision to get back together with Michael. He again left in early 1995 to attend medical school. The character returned to the show in 1996, with the two parent characters having left the show in 1995, Jonathon and Rachel appeared as more independent with Jonathon taking on even more serious issues. Upon his reappearance, Jonathon was a medical student and quickly sought employment at Shortland Steet, winning a job in the research department alongside Emily Devine. The character also dabbled in drugs. Hutchison enjoyed the experience, saying; "It has also been interesting not having Jonathon's parents on the show - his storylines are now quite different." Jonathon developed a good friendship with the quirky Emily but also grew a crush on social worker Kane. Jonathon encouraged Kane to come out and the two started an affair. However upon Kane departure, Jonathon learned he may have HIV. Hesitant and scared, Jonathon refused tests, causing the deeply concerned Emily to take a blood test behind his back. The results came back negative, but upon hearing of Emily's betrayal Jonathon was outraged and wanted nothing more to do with his co worker. The two eventually reconnected and Jonathon decided to visit his parents in the country.
Jonathon arrives unannounced to Rachel and her boyfriend 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....
' house in May 2011 and it is revealed he needs high risk surgery on his brain after a car accident in 2010. Though Jonathon still has traits of arrogance, he is shown to be mature and grown up. Having finally become a world class surgeon, Jonathon is devastated his brain damage stops him from doing his job. He gets the surgery however falls blind afterwards. His blindness is revealed to be that of Hysterical Blindness
Conversion disorder
Conversion disorder is a condition in which patients present with neurological symptoms such as numbness, blindness, paralysis, or fits without a neurological cause. It is thought that these problems arise in response to difficulties in the patient's life, and conversion is considered a psychiatric...
and Jonathon soon falls for his surgeon Gabrielle Jacobs
Gabrielle Jacobs
Dr. Gabrielle Jacobs is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and has been portrayed by Virginie Le Brun throughout two stints, the first from 2009 to 2010 and the second from 2011 to present...
. This storyline saw huge backlash with the openly homosexual Jonathon pursuing the female Gabrielle. Jonathon revealed he was now bisexual and the two began dating. After admitting his fear he will underperform at his job, Jonathon regains his sight and gains a job at the hospital. He and Gabrielle hit a rocky patch when he grows sick of her routine behavior and lack of spontaneous characteristics, he tries to accept her for who she is but is quick to develop a crush on the young Daniel
Daniel Potts
Daniel Potts is a fictional character in the soap opera Shortland Street. The role was originated by actor Jarred Blakiston from 2004–2005 and again briefly in 2007 before Ido Drent took over in 2009...
. Jonathon dumps Gabrielle and decides to leave the country, sending her into a downward spiral. He makes a move on Daniel, only to be assaulted and then leaves back to Los Angeles.
Sexuality
The character of Jonathon was originally written as so he would be bisexual, with an early storyline showing Jonathon being attracted to both Jo Jordan and Jamie ForrestJamie Forrest
Jamie Forrest was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. The character was portrayed by Karl Urban for a guest stint in mid 1993 before returning later in the year for a 6 month recurring stint...
. However as the storyline developed and Hutchison had numerous breaks, this was never explained in detail. Everytime Hutchison returned to filming, producers ensured him they would explore the storyline and he would get a female love interest, Hutchison explained the idea saying; "the whole point is that he's quite comfortable with the fact that he likes both sexes even though other people don't get it." Jonathon was slated to return after his departure in 1996 and was promised the storyline would be played, but he decided to leave the show. Upon being asked to reprise the role in 2011, producer Steven Zanoski suggested they retry the lost storyline and Hutchison happily agreed. As a result of no previous knowledge to Jonathon's bisexuality, fans were outraged at the storyline that saw Jonathon date Gabrielle Jacobs
Gabrielle Jacobs
Dr. Gabrielle Jacobs is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and has been portrayed by Virginie Le Brun throughout two stints, the first from 2009 to 2010 and the second from 2011 to present...
.
Impact
The storyline featuring Jonathon's crush and subsequent love affair with paramedic Jamie ForrestJamie Forrest
Jamie Forrest was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. The character was portrayed by Karl Urban for a guest stint in mid 1993 before returning later in the year for a 6 month recurring stint...
proved both controversial and ground breaking. The couple's kiss became the first same sex kiss on prime time New Zealand television and the storyline even helped a closeted gay male accept his sexuality. The couple's same sex relationship was at the time so controversial that the kiss was not actually shown, with only Sam
Sam Aleni
Sam Aleni was a fictional character on the TVNZ soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Rene Naufahu and was part of the original cast.-1992-1993:...
's expression being witnessed. Medical students also enjoyed how Jonathon represented their lives, with one saying; "It amused us when Jonathon talked about living in Dunedin, his classes at Medical School, his friends and so on. It is script for him but reality for us."
Controversy
Hutchison has stated that during his first stints from 1992–1995, he received much "agro" and homophobic fan mail and that after his return in 1996, it was a lot more calmed and less hateful. Jonathon's storylines in 1996 were also a lot more controversial than his early plots, with Hutchison noting the characters experimentation with drugs and rocky relationships as being highly controversial. Upon Jonathon's return in 2011, his sexual status was made unclear and fans were outraged when the character embarked on a relationship with female character, Gabrielle JacobsGabrielle Jacobs
Dr. Gabrielle Jacobs is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and has been portrayed by Virginie Le Brun throughout two stints, the first from 2009 to 2010 and the second from 2011 to present...
. Following weeks of criticism, scenes aired in June where Jonathon stated he was bisexual, contradicting comments made in past years.