Leanne Miller
Encyclopedia
Leanne Miller is a fictional character on the New Zealand
soap opera
Shortland Street
. She is portrayed by Jennifer Ludlam and was introduced in a guest role as Nicole
's homophobic mum in 2010 before returning as a recurring character in early 2011.
and Eric. Eric is diagnosed with schizophrenia. Leanne's husband dies in 2008 and the family learn he had an affair many years ago and has another daughter named Morgan Braithwaite
. Leanne desperately wanted to meet Morgan, but Morgan died in December 2009.
and Gerald Tippett
arrive in Tauranga
looking for Nicole in April 2010 and meet her family. Leanne gets on with Maia saying how much Nicole talks about her. It is not long before Leanne starts making homophobic comments towards Gerald and she is shown to be relieved that he is not gay. Maia realizes that Nicole has not come out to her family. Maia pressures Nicole to come out and when she does, Leanne does not react well, disowning her unless she never see Maia again. At first Nicole stays with Leanne and her family, but Nicole ends up going back with Maia, effectively disowning her family for love.
. Leanne overhears Brodie
talk about Maia cheating on Nicole with Jennifer
and shows her disgust towards Maia. After Maia and Nicole break up, Leanne tries to set Nicole up with Hunter
and after catching Nicole kissing Maxwell
, him too. While out walking, Leanne is mugged and she injures her arm, she is saved by Scotty
however. When the hospital receptionist falls sick, Leanne takes over the role. Rachel
explains it is illegal but Maxwell suggests Leanne get hired. Leanne later decides to leave as she sees herself as a barrier in Nicole and Maxwells relationship. Shortly before departure, Leanne tells Nicole how she disliked Nicole's "Lesbian stage" and she is glad Nicole is back onto men and makes racist comments towards Samoans. Leanne gives her blessing to Maxwell, before heading back to Tauranga.
was not gay friendly. Leanne instantly struck up controversy amongst Tauranga residents with the character stating that the flamboyant Gerald
change his shirt as it was "too gay" for Tauranga. The episode also struck up controversy when Leannes daughter, Nicole stated that it was more difficult being gay in Tauranga than Auckland
. Bay of Plenty Tourism general manager, Tim Burgess was quoted to have said such comments as; "Talk about a negative stereotype," and "The only positive thing I can say is they were pronouncing Tauranga and Mauao correctly." He also stated that several people were "really upset" about the show and it was a "hot topic" in Tauranga. After which he called the writing team "disappointing and lazy." Burgess also requested an apology which resulted in producer Steven Zanoski replying that the comments reflected the Miller family and not Tauranga as a city.
Upon her return in 2011, Leanne stated that there were few books on homosexuality in the Tauranga library, possibly as a dig to the past controversy.
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...
. She is portrayed by Jennifer Ludlam and was introduced in a guest role as Nicole
Nicole Miller (character)
Nicole Miller is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She has been portrayed by Sally Martin since September 2009, arriving as a potential love interest for Maia Jeffries and unknown sister to Morgan Braithwaite .Arriving as a nurse at Shortland Street Hospital, it...
's homophobic mum in 2010 before returning as a recurring character in early 2011.
Backstory
Leanne marries an unnamed man and they have two children, NicoleNicole Miller (character)
Nicole Miller is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She has been portrayed by Sally Martin since September 2009, arriving as a potential love interest for Maia Jeffries and unknown sister to Morgan Braithwaite .Arriving as a nurse at Shortland Street Hospital, it...
and Eric. Eric is diagnosed with schizophrenia. Leanne's husband dies in 2008 and the family learn he had an affair many years ago and has another daughter named Morgan Braithwaite
Morgan Braithwaite
Morgan Braithwaite was a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Bonnie Soper since February 5, 2008. Morgan died on December 18 2009 after Kieran Mitchell accidentally ran her over with Rachel's car.-Character:Morgan Braithwaite was quiet, polite...
. Leanne desperately wanted to meet Morgan, but Morgan died in December 2009.
2010
Maia JeffriesMaia Jeffries
Maia Anne Jeffries is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Anna Jullienne from mid 2004 to early 2011, with the character starring in numerous high profile storylines alongside her on screen family....
and Gerald Tippett
Gerald Tippett
Gerald Heathcliff Tippett is a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, who was played by Harry McNaughton from his first appearance in September 2007 up until his final appearance in September 2010.-2007-2008:...
arrive in Tauranga
Tauranga
Tauranga is the most populous city in the Bay of Plenty region, in the North Island of New Zealand.It was settled by Europeans in the early 19th century and was constituted as a city in 1963...
looking for Nicole in April 2010 and meet her family. Leanne gets on with Maia saying how much Nicole talks about her. It is not long before Leanne starts making homophobic comments towards Gerald and she is shown to be relieved that he is not gay. Maia realizes that Nicole has not come out to her family. Maia pressures Nicole to come out and when she does, Leanne does not react well, disowning her unless she never see Maia again. At first Nicole stays with Leanne and her family, but Nicole ends up going back with Maia, effectively disowning her family for love.
2011
Leanne arrives unexpectedly on Maia and Nicole's doorstep and starts to stay with the two. She reveals that she has accepted Nicole's lesbianism and has a new outlook on the world. Leanne meets and gets on with Maia's mother YvonneYvonne Jeffries
Yvonne Jeffries is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She is the mother of Maia, Libby, Hamish and Tania Jeffries...
. Leanne overhears Brodie
Brodie Kemp
Brodie Kemp is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He is portrayed by Ari Boyland. He first appeared for four episodes in March 2010 as a guest character, before returning in a recurring role in July...
talk about Maia cheating on Nicole with Jennifer
Jennifer Mason (character)
Dr. Jennifer Mason was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by well known actress Sara Wiseman.-Prior to Shortland Street:...
and shows her disgust towards Maia. After Maia and Nicole break up, Leanne tries to set Nicole up with Hunter
Hunter McKay
Hunter McKay is a fictional character in the TVNZ soap opera Shortland Street. He has been portrayed by Lee Donoghue since he first appeared in December 2006 as part of a new family unit consisting of parents Callum McKay and Justine Jones and younger sister Sophie McKay .The character is gifted...
and after catching Nicole kissing Maxwell
Maxwell Avia
Maxwell Avia is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Robbie Magasiva. Maxwell debuted on-screen on 19 June 2009.-Creation and casting:...
, him too. While out walking, Leanne is mugged and she injures her arm, she is saved by Scotty
James Scott (character)
James Owen "Scotty" Scott is a fictional character on New Zealand's longest running soap opera Shortland Street and was portrayed by Kiel McNaughton from his arrival in March 2007, first as a guest character before returning in June 2007 as a core cast member, up until the characters axing in 2011...
however. When the hospital receptionist falls sick, Leanne takes over the role. 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...
explains it is illegal but Maxwell suggests Leanne get hired. Leanne later decides to leave as she sees herself as a barrier in Nicole and Maxwells relationship. Shortly before departure, Leanne tells Nicole how she disliked Nicole's "Lesbian stage" and she is glad Nicole is back onto men and makes racist comments towards Samoans. Leanne gives her blessing to Maxwell, before heading back to Tauranga.
Homophobic comments
Upon her debut in April 2010, Leanne created controversy for her portrayal as a homophobic and statements concluding TaurangaTauranga
Tauranga is the most populous city in the Bay of Plenty region, in the North Island of New Zealand.It was settled by Europeans in the early 19th century and was constituted as a city in 1963...
was not gay friendly. Leanne instantly struck up controversy amongst Tauranga residents with the character stating that the flamboyant Gerald
Gerald Tippett
Gerald Heathcliff Tippett is a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, who was played by Harry McNaughton from his first appearance in September 2007 up until his final appearance in September 2010.-2007-2008:...
change his shirt as it was "too gay" for Tauranga. The episode also struck up controversy when Leannes daughter, Nicole stated that it was more difficult being gay in Tauranga than Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
. Bay of Plenty Tourism general manager, Tim Burgess was quoted to have said such comments as; "Talk about a negative stereotype," and "The only positive thing I can say is they were pronouncing Tauranga and Mauao correctly." He also stated that several people were "really upset" about the show and it was a "hot topic" in Tauranga. After which he called the writing team "disappointing and lazy." Burgess also requested an apology which resulted in producer Steven Zanoski replying that the comments reflected the Miller family and not Tauranga as a city.
Upon her return in 2011, Leanne stated that there were few books on homosexuality in the Tauranga library, possibly as a dig to the past controversy.