List of original Shortland Street characters
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of the 16 original regular characters from the long running TVNZ soap opera
Shortland Street
.
) later becoming Sarah Potts
. Another character whose personality and storylines were carried on was that of nosy receptionist Marj Neilson with Yvonne Jeffries
becoming a mirror image and even sharing the storyline of adopting out a child at birth. Another mold featured was that of the hard nosed Nursing manager, Carrie Burton
started the tradition off with later characters such as Judy Brownlee following.
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...
.
Original Cast
| Character | Actor | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Michael McKenna | 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... |
1992-1995, 1997, 1998-1999 |
| Dr. 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:... |
1992-1996, 2000-present |
| Dr. Meredith Fleming Meredith Fleming Dr. Meredith Fleming was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portaryed by Stephanie Wilkin. She was part of original cast and the shows first lesbian relationship.-1992-1993:... |
Stephanie Wilkin | 1992-1993, 1994 |
| Dr. Hone Ropata Hone Ropata Hone Ropata was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and was part of the original cast. He was portrayed by Temuera Morrison who after the role went on to several Hollywood roles... |
Temuera Morrison Temuera Morrison Temuera Derek Morrison is a New Zealand-born actor. He has become one of the country's most famous stars for his roles as the abusive Jake "the Muss" Heke in 1994's Once Were Warriors and as bounty hunter Jango Fett and the Clone Troopers in the Star Wars series... |
1992-1995, 2008 |
| Nurse Carrie Burton Carrie Burton Carrie Kennedy was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Lisa Crittenden and was part of the original cast.-1992:... |
Lisa Crittenden Lisa Crittenden Lisa Crittenden is an Australian actress, noted for her roles in various television series, such as The Restless Years , The Sullivans , Prisoner , Sons and Daughters and the New Zealand produced Shortland Street .She also played a lead role in mini-series Whose Baby? and... |
1992-1993 |
| Nurse Jaki Manu Jaki Manu Jaki Manu was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Nancy Brunning and was part of the original cast.-1992-1994:... |
Nancy Brunning Nancy Brunning Nancy Brunning is an actress and director who has won awards in film and television and has made a major contribution to the growth of Māori in the arts. Her accolades include Best Actress awards on stage and screen. She won Best Actress at the NZ Film Awards for her lead role in the movie What... |
1992-1994 |
| Nurse Steve Mills Steve Mills (Character) Steve Mills was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Andrew Binns and was part of the original core cast.... |
Andrew Binns | 1992-1994 |
| Paramedic Sam Aleni 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:... |
Rene Naufahu Rene Naufahu Rene Naufahu is a New Zealand-born actor, screen writer and director of Tongan and Samoan heritage. He is perhaps best known for being an original cast member of the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, playing paramedic Sam Aleni for the show's first four years... |
1992-1996 |
| Nurse Alison Raynor Alison Raynor Alison Raynor was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Danielle Cormack and was part of the series original cast.-Creation and Casting:... |
Danielle Cormack Danielle Cormack Danielle Cormack is a stage and screen actress from New Zealand. She was one of the original core cast of the long-running soap opera Shortland Street, though she is also known for her role as the Amazon Ephiny in the television series Xena: Warrior Princess, Cynthia Ross in The Cult, and Shota in... |
1992-1993 |
| Paramedic Tom Neilson Tom Neilson Tom Leslie Neilson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Part of the original cast, Tom was portrayed by Adrian Keeling from the shows first episode up until May the following year when the character starred in a high profile storyline where Tom went missing... |
Adrian Keeling | 1992-1993 |
| Stuart Neilson Stuart 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.... |
Martin Henderson Martin Henderson Martin Henderson is a New Zealand actor, well known to American audiences for his starring role in the ABC TV series Off the Map, while remaining known in his home country for his teenage role as Stuart Neilson in the soap opera Shortland Street.-Life and career:Henderson was born in Auckland, New... |
1992-1995 |
| Marjorie Neilson | Elizabeth McRae Elizabeth McRae Elizabeth McRae is a New Zealand actress, best known for her portrayal of Marjorie Brasch on the soap opera Shortland Street from 1992 until 1996 with further appearances in 1998 and 2002.Elizabeth's daughter Katherine is also an actress... |
1992-1996, 1998, 2002 |
| Kirsty Knight | Angela Dotchin Angela Dotchin -External links:... |
1992-1998 |
| Jenny Harrison Jenny Harrison (character) Jenny Harrison was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Maggie Harper and was part of the original cast.-Creation:... |
Maggie Harper | 1992-1998, 2002 |
| 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... |
1992-2005 |
| Gina Rossi Gina Rossi Gina Rossi-Dodds was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Josephine Davison and was part of the original cast.-1992-1995:... |
Jo Davison | 1992-1995 |
1993
- No characters left in 1992 as all the cast were signed to full one year contracts.
- Tom NeilsonTom NeilsonTom Leslie Neilson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Part of the original cast, Tom was portrayed by Adrian Keeling from the shows first episode up until May the following year when the character starred in a high profile storyline where Tom went missing...
was the first to leave as the actor did not resign his contract after the 1 year contract ended. The character was written out by the introduction of Toms wife Marjs illegitimate daughter Jane. This caused strain in the marriage and Tom fled with the family's money. The story caused a lot of interest among fans and Tom was brought back a few months later to tie off the storyline. He was revealed to have joined a cult and returned when he needed a kidney transplant. After the surgery he suffered a heart attack and died. - Alison RaynorAlison RaynorAlison Raynor was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Danielle Cormack and was part of the series original cast.-Creation and Casting:...
was the next to leave. Not signing the one year contract, Danielle CormackDanielle CormackDanielle Cormack is a stage and screen actress from New Zealand. She was one of the original core cast of the long-running soap opera Shortland Street, though she is also known for her role as the Amazon Ephiny in the television series Xena: Warrior Princess, Cynthia Ross in The Cult, and Shota in...
's character departed with the storyline of leaving distraught after thinking Chris left her at the alter while in reality DarrylDarryl NeilsonDarryl Neilson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Darryl was portrayed by Mark Ferguson from 1992 to the characters death in 1995....
had kidnapped him. Fans desperately missed Alison and she returned in a brief guest appearance in December 1993 when she returned from an abusive husband overseas. She left again shortly after. - Meredith FlemingMeredith FlemingDr. Meredith Fleming was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portaryed by Stephanie Wilkin. She was part of original cast and the shows first lesbian relationship.-1992-1993:...
was the next to leave. She finished the show after nearly a year and a half. Meredith decided to leave to Dunedin to start fresh near her son. Meredith returned in a guest appearance the following year which proved to be quite controversial as Meredith began a same-sex relationship. - Carrie BurtonCarrie BurtonCarrie Kennedy was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Lisa Crittenden and was part of the original cast.-1992:...
left after Meredith in November 1993 with just under a year and a half on the show. She was forced to leave after getting blackmailed by criminals involved with her husband Declan.
1994
- Jaki ManuJaki ManuJaki Manu was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Nancy Brunning and was part of the original cast.-1992-1994:...
also left in 1994 with the storyline of her boyfriend Henry who appeared from 1992-1993 returned announcing his love. The two left together. - Gina RossiGina RossiGina Rossi-Dodds was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Josephine Davison and was part of the original cast.-1992-1995:...
left next in 1994 after marrying Leonard, the two decided to leave Ferndale to start a family. They returned for Kirsty and Lionels wedding later in the year and departed again in 1995. - Steve MillsSteve Mills (Character)Steve Mills was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Andrew Binns and was part of the original core cast....
left a few episodes before Gina, while driving back from Ginas leaving party, he got in a argument with Chris and accidentally drove off the road. The car exploded killing Steve and T.P Aleni.
1995
- Stuart NeilsonStuart NeilsonStuart 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....
ditched the street with no big ending in 1995 as Martin HendersonMartin HendersonMartin Henderson is a New Zealand actor, well known to American audiences for his starring role in the ABC TV series Off the Map, while remaining known in his home country for his teenage role as Stuart Neilson in the soap opera Shortland Street.-Life and career:Henderson was born in Auckland, New...
wished to pursue a Hollywood career. - After growing bored of the show, Temuera MorrisonTemuera MorrisonTemuera Derek Morrison is a New Zealand-born actor. He has become one of the country's most famous stars for his roles as the abusive Jake "the Muss" Heke in 1994's Once Were Warriors and as bounty hunter Jango Fett and the Clone Troopers in the Star Wars series...
quit and thus his character, Hone RopataHone RopataHone Ropata was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and was part of the original cast. He was portrayed by Temuera Morrison who after the role went on to several Hollywood roles...
fell in love in 1995 and decided to set up a clinic in the East Coast. He left but returned for six weeks to commemorate the shows 4000th episode in 2008. - Michael McKenna left in 1995 with his wife Alex McKenna when they purchased a lifestyle block in the country. Michael would return in 1997 and from 1998 to his death in 1999.
1996
- Chris WarnerChris WarnerDr. 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....
got a job in America in 1995 but later returned in 2000 and is still on the show in the present day. - Marj BraschMarj BraschMarjorie "Marj" Brasch is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Being part of the original cast, she was portrayed by Elizabeth McRae from the show's first season in 1992 up until 1996. She returned as a guest character in both 1998 and 2002...
ended her run on the show after becoming an MP. For her last episode as a regular character, Marj was seen starting her new job at the Beehive in Wellington and meeting Jenny ShipleyJenny ShipleyDame Jenny Shipley, DNZM , served as the 36th Prime Minister of New Zealand from December 1997 to December 1999, the first woman to hold this office and the first, and to date only, woman to serve as parliamentary leader of the National Party of New Zealand.-Early life:Shipley was born as Jennifer...
and Helen ClarkHelen ClarkHelen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008...
(who both would later become Prime Minister of New Zealand). Marj would later return in 1998 for Jenny Harrison's exit and in 2002 for Nick Harrison's wedding. - Sam AleniSam AleniSam 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:...
exited the show shortly after Chris and Marj after realizing that he did not like the person that he had become. Re-embracing his Christian faith (which he had renounced the year before) he moved to Samoa to sort his life out.
1997
- No original characters left in 1997, although Michael McKenna returned for a brief guest stint to help his daughter Rachel with her alcoholism.
1998
- Kirsty Knight had recently fallen in love with Damien Neilson and accompanied him to Wellington after he suffered serious burns. This was despite the fact that Kirsty had shared an awful past with Damien's twin brother DarrylDarryl NeilsonDarryl Neilson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Darryl was portrayed by Mark Ferguson from 1992 to the characters death in 1995....
(Darryl had attempted to rape Kirsty in 1992 and Kirsty witnessed his death when he had attacked her again in 1995) - Marj returned to the show as part of the departure of Jenny HarrisonJenny Harrison (character)Jenny Harrison was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Maggie Harper and was part of the original cast.-Creation:...
who left Shortland Street to work for Marj after having become disillusioned with the health system in the wake of Nurse Tiffany Pratt's death and making her feelings known on national television.
1999
- Michael McKenna had returned to the series late in 1998 as Paul GittinsPaul GittinsPaul 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...
had agreed to one last brief stint before permanently retiring from the role. As a result Michael was killed off early in the new year.
2000
- Chris Warner became the only original character to return to the series as a regular when Michael GalvinMichael GalvinMichael 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:...
agreed to return to the show as part of a revamp of the series. Chris was first seen in the last episode of 2000.
2002
- Marj Brasch and Jenny Harrison return to commemorate the shows 10th anniversary and attend Nicks wedding.
2005
- Nick HarrisonNick HarrisonNick 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....
was the last person to have appeared continuously from the beginning when he left in 2005. Nick left after his family was terrorised by the home invader that was plaguing Ferndale.
2008
- Hone RopataHone RopataHone Ropata was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and was part of the original cast. He was portrayed by Temuera Morrison who after the role went on to several Hollywood roles...
returns to commemorate the 4000th episode. He is hired as a auditor of the hospital but after falling in love with Tania JeffriesTania JeffriesTania 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...
, he leaves to Australia.
Effect
The original characters created a mould that would see future characters share similarities with certain original characters such as the single mother whose parents raised her child as they were too young to raise it (Meredith FlemingMeredith Fleming
Dr. Meredith Fleming was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portaryed by Stephanie Wilkin. She was part of original cast and the shows first lesbian relationship.-1992-1993:...
) later becoming Sarah Potts
Sarah Potts (character)
Dr. Sarah Marjorie Potts is a fictional character on the soap opera Shortland Street. She is played by Amanda Billing. First arriving in September 2004, the character has reached the record of one of the longest ever stint's in the soap's history, with only short term breaks every few years.Sarah...
. Another character whose personality and storylines were carried on was that of nosy receptionist Marj Neilson with 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...
becoming a mirror image and even sharing the storyline of adopting out a child at birth. Another mold featured was that of the hard nosed Nursing manager, Carrie Burton
Carrie Burton
Carrie Kennedy was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Lisa Crittenden and was part of the original cast.-1992:...
started the tradition off with later characters such as Judy Brownlee following.