Libby Jeffries
Encyclopedia
Olivia "Libby" Jeffries is a fictional character
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...

 on the New Zealand
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 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 was portrayed by Fleur Saville
Fleur Saville
Fleur Saville in Auckland is a New Zealand television actress best known for her roles in the television sitcoms Being Eve and The Tribe in which she became known to international audiences for her portrayal of Ruby...

 from 2006 to 2010.

Libby arrived to the soap as the middle daughter of hospital receptionist Yvonne Jeffries
Yvonne 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...

 (Alison Quigan) and her husband Ian Jeffries (Jeffrey Thomas
Jeffrey Thomas (actor)
Jeffrey Thomas is a Welsh-born New Zealand actor, best known for his television roles. He rose to prominence in New Zealand in the late 1980s with the lead role of Inspector "Sharky" Finn in the TVNZ police drama series Shark in the Park, and is also well-known for his roles in two long-running New...

. She was the personal assistant to the CEO, working for CEO's Huia Samuels
Huia Samuels
Huia Samuels is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Nicola Kawana and appeared for 18 months from early 2005 to late 2006....

 (Nicola Kawana
Nicola Kawana
Nicola Kawana, is best known for playing Huia Samuels on the longest running New Zealand television series Shortland Street. Other roles include Mercy Peak, Jackson's Wharf and Lollie in The Man Who Lost His Head....

), 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 Callum McKay
Callum McKay
Callum McKay is a fictional character portrayed by actor Peter Mochrie in the TVNZ soap opera Shortland Street. He is a doctor and the Chief Executive Officer of Shortland Street Hospital.-Introduction:...

 (Peter Mochrie
Peter Mochrie
Peter Mochrie is an actor who has appeared in various Australian television programs during his 25-year career. Since 2006 Mochrie has starred in the New Zealand soap Shortland Street as Dr Callum McKay....

). She also shared a close bond with her older sister Maia
Maia 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....

 (Anna Jullienne
Anna Jullienne
Anna Jullienne Kermode is a New Zealand actress, best known for her role as Nurse Maia Jefferies in the television series Shortland Street. Maia is a beautiful and talented young nurse who happens to be a lesbian...

) and younger sister Tania
Tania Jeffries
Tania Jeffries is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Tania Jeffries is the younger sister to nurse Maia Jeffries, PA Libby Jeffries and daughter of hospital receptionist, Yvonne Jefferies...

 (Faye Smythe
Faye Smythe
Faye Smythe is a New Zealand television actor, best known for her role in Shortland Street as Nurse Tania Jeffries.-Early life:...

) who both work as nurses at the hospital. Libby's storyline's often dealt with her search for the perfect husband, often ending in disastrous results, including; George Barrington (uncredited actor) who was a closet gay, Justin Salt
Justin Salt
Justin Salt was a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He is portrayed by Heath Jones.Justin works as a surgeon for Justine Jones at Shortland Street Hospital....

 (Heath Jones) who attempted to rape her, Kieran Mitchell
Kieran Mitchell
Kieran Mitchell is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by British actor Adam Rickitt through numerous high profile storylines from early 2007 to mid 2010....

 (Adam Rickett) who was a criminal, 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:...

) who left her for another women, Oliver Ritchie
Oliver Ritchie
Oliver Ritchie was a fictional character in the soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Mark Warren. He first appeared on Shortland Street in September 2009. He used illegal dengue experiments on unsuspecting human subjects in order to find a cure for dengue fever.-Before Shortland...

 (Mark Warren) who kidnapped her and Isaac Worthington
Isaac Worthington
Dr. Isaac John William Worthington is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera, Shortland Street. He is portrayed by Matt Minto and has been on the show since March 8, 2010. He is the cousin of long time character Chris Warner. The characters badboy attitude and relationship with Dr...

 (Matt Minto) who was a serial womanizer. Libby finally found the perfect husband in best friend 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:...

 (Harry McNaughton) in September 2010 and the two left the show for America together.

Libby was primary a comedic character and thus was highly popular. She won "Best New Character" in 2006 and placed runner up in "Favourite Female Character" from 2006-2009 in the Throng Shortland Street Fan Awards. The character was also highly praised for her dress sense.

2006-2007

Libby arrived to Shortland Street in 2006 when she was set to marry her fiance George Barrington. But on the night before the wedding, Tania caught him cheating on Libby with another man. Libby did not attend Maia's wedding as she did not approve of her being a lesbian but finally accepted it later on.

In 2007 she and flatmate Claire Solomon welcomed new flatmate Kieran Mitchell
Kieran Mitchell
Kieran Mitchell is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by British actor Adam Rickitt through numerous high profile storylines from early 2007 to mid 2010....

. He and Libby became an item, however Claire was also infatuated with Kieran and she eventually seduced him while he was having an episode from a medical condition. After Claire's body was found, Libby like much of Ferndale suspected Kieran of the murder and she moved in with Tania and Mark as well as breaking all ties with Kieran who was eventually cleared of involvement. Libby helped Kieran when he became owner and manager of the I.V. Bar with managing and advertising. During this time they appeared to be friends, Kieran liked Libby and has tried to get back together with her on many occasions but she has rejected most of them, save for one incident when a drunk Libby made advances on Kieran which he rejected.

Libby along with her mother Yvonne became the neutral parties between her sisters Maia and Tania after their falling out with the revelation that Maia's baby is Mark's (Tania's ex-husband). She was disgusted at Maia's actions but loves being an aunt, straight after the babies birth she, Maia and Gerald were discussing names. She was going to be Maia's birth partner but had to step down after she vomited upon hearing what it would entail.

Since Chris Warner's separation from Toni, Libby has become infatuated with her boss and was determined to become more than his P.A. Libby's schoolgirl crush on Chris, C.E.O of the hospital (and her boss). She set up a situation in which she stayed overnight at his house, the gossip about the pair went crazy. After this, Libby realised that she still wanted to be with Kieran. She immediately went to The I.V. to tell him how she felt however was heartbroken to see him with another woman. Heartbroken, she left Ferndale and went to Thames to visit sister Maia just before Kieran learned about how she felt and told Tania that he still wanted to be with Libby.

2008-2010

At the beginning of 2008 Libby and Gerald embarked on a new hospital project to promote a healthier eating, however their fellow staff were not happy with the new rules. Libby made a new healthier menu for the cafe with all healthy food, removed all the confectionery items from the vending machines, had them replaced with muesli bars and barred staff from bringing unhealthy food to the hospital. After Chris received a number of complaints from disgruntled staff (especially Alice Piper
Alice Piper
Alison "Alice" Piper was a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was played by actress Toni Potter.Alice worked as a nurse at Shortland Street Hospital in the Emergency Department...

) he told her to stop. She then focused on hosting an event with the heads from the DHB where Chris would try to get the hospital more funding. After their caterers pulled out the night before, she was forced to ask Kieran if they could have the event at the I.V. During preparations Libby finally revealed that she still liked Kieran and they were about to kiss when the DHB arrived interrupting them. Tania convinced Libby to move in with Kieran which she had rejected every time he had asked her. Gerald found it difficult living at El Rancho for a time when Libby moved in, because he had feelings for her after they kissed to make Sunil (Shanti's brother) jealous.

After months of messing with each other and Gerald (Harry McNaughton) messing with their relationship, they were officially a couple so Libby, Kieran and Gerald all live at El Rancho and as Gerald found and pointed out the "walls" are very "thin" here. While their relationship blossoms, Gerald's jealously continued for a time until started going out with Morgan. Kieran and Libby announced their engagement but his involvement with the Whitetails and Ethan Pierce put strain on the relationship. Pierce was murdered and Kieran faced time in prison for his involvement with Pierce's shady dealings but these charges were dropped in exchange for his testimony about the whitetails. Libby ended her engagement with Kieran as she could no longer trust him, though he revealed that he hired a hitman to kill Ethan Pierce.

After Libby's brief stint with Chris, Libby never really let go of her feelings for him. Back when Kieran announced their engagement, Chris looked on at Libby disappointed. But after Libby and Kieran broke up, things for Libby started to look up. Initially it was awkward between the two but it started to get warmed up. Libby could not take it and escaped overseas for a few weeks. She returned with a surfer boyfriend who she had a one night stand with and couldn't shake off. Luckily Kieran, who still had feelings for Libby scared him off. Libby once again tried to have a relationship with Chris and it officially started. The first few dates didn't go off well but the two are now a steady couple and Libby feels that Chris might want to marry her. Libby had a small panic after Chris said he didn't love
Love
Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection. Love is central to many religions, as in the Christian phrase, "God is love" or Agape in the Canonical gospels...

 her yet, but it passed and in July 2009 Chris confessed his love for Libby. All seemed well, but local surgeon and friend 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...

 was lurking around the corner. Chris had admitted at a dinner party that she looked good to himself and Gabrielle started to develop feelings for Chris. Gabrielle confided this in Sarah Potts and Libby. Libby hastily set up Gabrielle and Luke Durville
Luke Durville
Dr. Luke Durville is a fictional character on New Zealand's long-running soap opera, Shortland Street. Durville has been played by Gerald Urquhart since the character's first appearance on 14 September 2007 and appears sporadically each year often disappearing from four to eleven months at a...

. Nothing went to plan though and Gabrielle is still jealous of Libby's relationship with the man she loves. At Libby and Chris' leaving party, Chris confessed his love for Gabrielle. Libby told him that she would not travel to Venice and she stayed at his mansion. To forget about Chris her friends came and threw a party. Libby eventually threw them out and attempted to get rid of a wine stain. Suddenly the answer phone came on, it was Chris saying that he loved Libby. Libby went over to get the phone when she tripped and got knocked out. The iron she was using burst into flames. The unconscious Libby lay on the rug as the fire quickly spread and Gabrielle saved Libby on time. Much to Libby's disappointment, Chris dumped her and chose Gabrielle, leaving her devastated and betrayed.

Even though Libby now sees that Gabrielle and Chris are well truly romantic with one another, she has slowly taken steps into moving on, however since moving into a new flat with her best friend, Gerald, she has set her sights on their flat mate, Oliver Ritchie
Oliver Ritchie
Oliver Ritchie was a fictional character in the soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Mark Warren. He first appeared on Shortland Street in September 2009. He used illegal dengue experiments on unsuspecting human subjects in order to find a cure for dengue fever.-Before Shortland...

, who had moved away from Scotty and Shanti's home and took a romantic interest in Libby, though Gerald is unsure of him as he recently found an unusual device in his room, while he (Oliver) was arranging his stuff up in the attic. Though Libby chooses to ignore Gerald's certain possible warnings about him and decides to act upon a romantic interest in him. Oliver suggested that he and Libby should go away together on a romantic holiday in Hawkes Bay, but they are unable to as Rachel still wanted Libby to be the present PA at work, as Gerald had gone away on holiday in Morocco. Though Oliver successfully convinces Yvonne to cover Libby. Instead of going away, they decide to holiday in the flat. Oliver secretly infects her with Dengue fever and records his attempts at healing her. She realises something is up and escapes to the attic where he holds her hostage but she manages to reach the phone. Libby was finally rescued by Chris and Scotty, who visited the flat when a strange call (Though made by her) concerned Yvonne. She got out of hospital and returned to the Jeffries household. Its later revealed Oliver was arrested.

Libby returned to work in December, and since Yvonne confessed her relationship with Ben to Tania, she (Libby) also learns about this as well as Maia, Gerald, TK, Morgan and Nicole.
On Friday 19 February, which was Sophie's wedding day, Libby finally found out that it was actually Kieran who killed Morgan when she found proof at work. Later on, Libby arrives at Sophie's dream wedding and had no choice but to ruin it by showing everyone she has proof that it was actually Kieran who killed Morgan in a hit and run accident on the night of the Christmas party, which was on Friday 18 December 2009. But Sean, Kieran's younger brother took the blame and was arrested instead of Kieran.

On April 8, 2010 Libby took a job with the DHB traveling the USA while Yvonne takes over her job temporarily. On April 9, 2010, Libby and Chris Warner shared a kiss which eventually led her to finally get over Chris. Libby final scenes were aired on April 12, 2010, where she shared a tearful goodbye to all her friends and colleagues and her final scene was saying goodbye in El Rancho, the place she had shared great times for the past 3 years and walking out the door for the final time leaving El Rancho in deathly silence.

Libby returned unexpectedly on 10 September and announced she was running for the same job Gerald was. They both tried but failed for the job. Libby told Gerald that her visa expired and she was fired from her job in America and that is why she is back in New Zealand. Gerald announces he has an American passport and that he plans to leave to America, the two decide to get married so that Libby can get her job back and Gerald can find a new job in America. Libby and Gerald married before they returned to the States.

Reception

Libby was a highly popular character throughout her run, winning and being nominated for many awards in the annual Throng Shortland Street fan awards. Upon her arrival in 2006, Libby landed the prize for "Best New Character" and "Funniest Moment" while winning runner up for "Favourite Female Character". In 2007 Libby again placed runner up in "Favourite Female Character" but won "Best Dressed" and placed runner up both in "Funniest Moment" and "Best couple" (for her relationship with Kieran Mitchell
Kieran Mitchell
Kieran Mitchell is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by British actor Adam Rickitt through numerous high profile storylines from early 2007 to mid 2010....

. In 2008 Libby won "Best Dressed", "Funniest Moment" and "Best Couple" (again for Kieran) and again placed runner up in "Favourite Female Character" and "Best Hair". In 2009 she won "Best Dressed" and "Best Hair" and once again placed runner up in "Favourite Female Character". In her final year, 2010, Libby won the award once again for "Funniest Moment" and came runner up for "Character you'd most like to bring back (non dead)", losing to husband 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:...

.

In the 2006 awards, one fan notably mentioned Libby saying; "Libby is brilliant, I only wish there was a whole show about her! Libby is the only member of the Jeffries family that I wouldn't be tempted to push off a life-raft...Libby is awesome she is a good laugh."
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