Maxwell Avia
Encyclopedia
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.
had been cast into the serial. It was later revealed that he would play Maxwell and arrive on-screen in June to replace the established character, Kip Denton
(Will Hall). The serial's producer Steven Zanoski said that Maxwell's arrival would "shake up his department." Prior to Magasiva's casting, Maxwell's surname was planned to be "Novak" and was described sport character with a hobby of skiing. Magasiva's casting prompted producers to change the details of Maxwell's background to accommodate his Somoan nationality. He was given family links within the serial, in ther form of a cousin Vinnie Kruse
, who was played by Magasiva's brother, Pua
. Fellow cast member Mark Warren originally auditioned for the role, but was instead cast as Oliver Ritchie
.
named Melissa. The alter-ego was described as "outragous" with Megasiva revealing that he had "so much fun dressing up" for the comedic scenes. The serial's make-up department also enjoyed the challenge of finding suitable attire for Maxwell to dress in. While filming, the humour helped relieve the crew of their stress via Megasiva's performance.
(Beth Allen
), after some sexual tension between himself and Tania Jeffries
(Faye Smythe
), Maxwell starts to date Tracey Morrison
(Sarah Thomson). Tracey discovers Maxwell has a wife and Maxwell reveals they were divorced. It becomes apparent that Maxwell has a gambling problem following his many nights out with Kieran Mitchell
(Adam Rickitt
). Maxwell attempts to overcome his addiction, but he later relapses and a Tracey becomes frustrated with Maxwell's behaviour and ends their relationship. Maxwell and Sarah Potts
(Amanda Billing
) start dating and later move in together. Maxwell initially does not get on with Sarah's son Daniel Potts
(Ido Drent
), but he later earns Daniel's respect. Maxwell is put in a tricky situation when he is forced to dob on his childhood friend Henry Mapasua
(Victor Rodger
) for attempting to con Maxwell.
Maxwells daughter Ula Levi
(Frankie Adams) arrives unannounced after and ruins Maxwell and Sarah's relationship. The arrival of Maxwell's ex wife Vasa Levi
(Teuila Blakely) continues to shake the situation and Maxwell's relationship with Sarah comes to an end when he cheats on her with Vasa. They part on good terms and decide to remain friends. Maxwell soon strikes up a friendship with newly single bisexual, Nicole Miller
(Sally Martin
) and soon the two start dating. Though Vasa is unhappy because of her unrequited love for Maxwell. Maxwell goes to stay in Melbourne for a period of three months. Bethany Hall, a visiting doctor from his time in Melbourne becomes close to Maxwell.
was negatively received, when they were voted "Worst Couple" and were subsequently branded as "boring" in the Throng Shortland Street Fan Awards 2010.
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...
, played by Robbie Magasiva
Robbie Magasiva
Robbie Magasiva is a Samoan New Zealand actor who has starred in several films and as a member of the Naked Samoans comedy troupe. He has also appeared on television and theatre, and was the co-presenter of New Zealand's Tagata Pasifika with famed athlete Beatrice Faumuina. Magasiva is also known...
. Maxwell debuted on-screen on 19 June 2009.
Creation and casting
In May 2009, it was announced that actor Robbie MagasivaRobbie Magasiva
Robbie Magasiva is a Samoan New Zealand actor who has starred in several films and as a member of the Naked Samoans comedy troupe. He has also appeared on television and theatre, and was the co-presenter of New Zealand's Tagata Pasifika with famed athlete Beatrice Faumuina. Magasiva is also known...
had been cast into the serial. It was later revealed that he would play Maxwell and arrive on-screen in June to replace the established character, Kip Denton
Kip Denton
Kip Denton was a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street.-2007-2009:He is a doctor at Shortland Street Hospital, who had filled in for Dr. Craig Valentine while he was in Australia...
(Will Hall). The serial's producer Steven Zanoski said that Maxwell's arrival would "shake up his department." Prior to Magasiva's casting, Maxwell's surname was planned to be "Novak" and was described sport character with a hobby of skiing. Magasiva's casting prompted producers to change the details of Maxwell's background to accommodate his Somoan nationality. He was given family links within the serial, in ther form of a cousin Vinnie Kruse
Vinnie Kruse
Vinnie Kruse is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Pua Magasiva. Vinnie is a nurse who is shown to have a love of partying and socializing. Vinnie first arrived on 25 November 2003, leaving the show on 23 February 2006...
, who was played by Magasiva's brother, Pua
Pua Magasiva
Pua Magasiva is a Samoan New Zealand actor, who is perhaps known for his roles as Shane Clarke, the Red Ranger from Power Rangers: Ninja Storm, and Nurse Vinnie Kruse in New Zealand soap Shortland Street.-Biography:...
. Fellow cast member Mark Warren originally auditioned for the role, but was instead cast as 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...
.
Character development
Magasiva is known in the industry for his "trademark" humour. He later convinced producers to implement some of his humour into scripts. The scenes involved Maxwell dressing as a Fa'afafineFa'afafine
Fa'afafine may be viewed as a third gender specific to Samoan culture.Fa'afafine are biological males who have a strong feminine gender orientation, which the Samoan parents recognize quite early in childhood. Not always are they raised as female children or rather 'third gender' children...
named Melissa. The alter-ego was described as "outragous" with Megasiva revealing that he had "so much fun dressing up" for the comedic scenes. The serial's make-up department also enjoyed the challenge of finding suitable attire for Maxwell to dress in. While filming, the humour helped relieve the crew of their stress via Megasiva's performance.
Storylines
Maxwell arrives at Shortland Street from Hong Kong when former HOD of the Emergency Department Kip leaves. Maxwell shares his apartment with Brooke FreemanBrooke Freeman
Brooke Freeman is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Beth Allen. Brooke debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 24 July 2008. The role was written with Allen in mind to play her. Brooke arrived as a locum GP but later advanced in her career...
(Beth Allen
Beth Allen
Elizabeth "Beth" Allen has been acting since an early age and has appeared in several small productions and commercials since 1993. Her first major role was in Cloud 9's The Legend of William Tell in 1998, in which she played Princess Vara...
), after some sexual tension between himself and Tania Jeffries
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:...
), Maxwell starts to date Tracey Morrison
Tracey Morrison
Tracey Morrison was a fictional character on the New Zealand Soap Opera Shortland Street. Tracey is portrayed by Sarah Thomson and first appeared on the show in 2007 and returned as a major character mid 2008. She departed in 2011.-Casting:...
(Sarah Thomson). Tracey discovers Maxwell has a wife and Maxwell reveals they were divorced. It becomes apparent that Maxwell has a gambling problem following his many nights out 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....
(Adam Rickitt
Adam Rickitt
Adam Peter Rickitt is an English actor, singer-songwriter and model.-Biography:Rickitt was born in Crewe, Cheshire, the youngest of four brothers. His father is co-owner of an estate agency...
). Maxwell attempts to overcome his addiction, but he later relapses and a Tracey becomes frustrated with Maxwell's behaviour and ends their relationship. Maxwell and 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...
(Amanda Billing
Amanda Billing
Amanda Billing is best known for her role as Doctor Sarah Potts on New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street.-Biography:...
) start dating and later move in together. Maxwell initially does not get on with Sarah's son 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:...
), but he later earns Daniel's respect. Maxwell is put in a tricky situation when he is forced to dob on his childhood friend Henry Mapasua
Henry Mapasua
Henry Mapasua was a fictional recurring character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Henry was portrayed by Victor Rodger who also writes for the show...
(Victor Rodger
Victor Rodger
Victor Rodger is a journalist, actor and award winning playwrightin New Zealand whose theatre work deals with race, racism and identity...
) for attempting to con Maxwell.
Maxwells daughter Ula Levi
Ula Levi
Ula Levi is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She is portrayed by Frankie Adams and has been on the show since July 2010.-2010:...
(Frankie Adams) arrives unannounced after and ruins Maxwell and Sarah's relationship. The arrival of Maxwell's ex wife Vasa Levi
Vasa Levi
Vasa Levi is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She is portrayed by Teuila Blakely since her first appearance in July 2010...
(Teuila Blakely) continues to shake the situation and Maxwell's relationship with Sarah comes to an end when he cheats on her with Vasa. They part on good terms and decide to remain friends. Maxwell soon strikes up a friendship with newly single bisexual, Nicole Miller
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...
(Sally Martin
Sally Martin
Sally Erana Martin is an actress from New Zealand.She has appeared in a range of television series, including The Strip, Shortland Street and in Power Rangers: Ninja Storm as Tori Hanson/the Blue Wind Ninja Ranger....
) and soon the two start dating. Though Vasa is unhappy because of her unrequited love for Maxwell. Maxwell goes to stay in Melbourne for a period of three months. Bethany Hall, a visiting doctor from his time in Melbourne becomes close to Maxwell.
Reception
In 2010, Robbie Magasiva was nominated for 'Hottest Male Actor' in New Zealand TV Guide's "Best on the Box Awards". While his storyline with ex wife VasaVasa Levi
Vasa Levi is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She is portrayed by Teuila Blakely since her first appearance in July 2010...
was negatively received, when they were voted "Worst Couple" and were subsequently branded as "boring" in the Throng Shortland Street Fan Awards 2010.
External links
- Character profile at TVNZ