TK Samuels
Encyclopedia
Te Koha 'TK' Samuels is a fictional character
in New Zealand
's longest running soap opera
Shortland Street
, played by actor Benjamin Mitchell since early 2006.
, new doctor TK Samuels arrived in town at the end of an extensive international backpacking tour. His journeys left him crumpled and travel worn, but it was obvious that he'd scrub up very well indeed - a fact that wasn't lost on the hospital's single women. He quickly earned a job in ED where he met the strongly contrasted Sarah who was annoyed by TK's immaturity but TK was instantly smitten. He soon became employed in the Primary Care Clinic as a GP and comforted Sarah after her break up with Craig. He started to build towards his future to impress Sarah, including buying the Nurses Flat.
TK was shocked and saddened when Huia was murdered in a car explosion set up by Scott Spear in October 2006. In December, Sarah told TK she wanted to be with him.
His marriage to Sarah in 2007 culminated in a dream come true for TK.
In September 2008, Sarah was diagonosed with multiple sclerosis
. After months of trying for a baby TK and Sarah discovered on December 8, 2008 that Sarah was pregnant. Sadly their happiness was short-lived as they discovered their unborn child had Edwards Syndrome
, so on January 30, 2009 they had the pregnancy terminated
TK starts to clash with fellow GP, Brooke Freeman
but feels sorry for her following the death of Ethan
and she moves in. Brooke falls in love with TK and sets up fights between Sarah and TK about children. In December 2009 Sarah decides to leave TK as she can not provide him with a family. TK has a rebound sexual encounter with Brooke and they soon start dating.
TK and Brooke break up and TK tries to keep his mind off Sarah, dating Tania
and Jennifer
but soon decides he truely loves Sarah and the two have a one night stand before she leaves New Zealand.
In 2011, TK starts dating new nurse Roimata
but is shocked in March when Sarah returns, pregnant with his baby. TK fights to stay faithful to Roimata and rushes forward his and Sarah's divorce, while ensuring he will care for his child. After Sarah admits her love for him, TK proposes to Roimata. However things are pushed further to the limit with the arrival of Owen, TK's med school rival who tries to interfere in TK's personal and work life. The wedding takes place but TK ditches the altar to be with Sarah when he hears she is giving birth, but does not make it, saving Hunter
from his mangled car wreck. TK and Roimata later marry in an unofficial ceremony.
He was voted by fans of the show "Favourite Male Character" in 2006, 2009 and 2010.
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 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...
's longest running 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...
, played by actor Benjamin Mitchell since early 2006.
2006-
A relative of Huia SamuelsHuia 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....
, new doctor TK Samuels arrived in town at the end of an extensive international backpacking tour. His journeys left him crumpled and travel worn, but it was obvious that he'd scrub up very well indeed - a fact that wasn't lost on the hospital's single women. He quickly earned a job in ED where he met the strongly contrasted Sarah who was annoyed by TK's immaturity but TK was instantly smitten. He soon became employed in the Primary Care Clinic as a GP and comforted Sarah after her break up with Craig. He started to build towards his future to impress Sarah, including buying the Nurses Flat.
TK was shocked and saddened when Huia was murdered in a car explosion set up by Scott Spear in October 2006. In December, Sarah told TK she wanted to be with him.
His marriage to Sarah in 2007 culminated in a dream come true for TK.
In September 2008, Sarah was diagonosed with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
. After months of trying for a baby TK and Sarah discovered on December 8, 2008 that Sarah was pregnant. Sadly their happiness was short-lived as they discovered their unborn child had Edwards Syndrome
Edwards syndrome
Trisomy 18 is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 18th chromosome. It is named after John H. Edwards, who first described the syndrome in 1960...
, so on January 30, 2009 they had the pregnancy terminated
TK starts to clash with fellow GP, Brooke Freeman
Brooke 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...
but feels sorry for her following the death of Ethan
Ethan Pierce
Dr. Ethan Pierce is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and was portrayed by Owen Black from August 2008 to January 2009 and again from May to June 2009...
and she moves in. Brooke falls in love with TK and sets up fights between Sarah and TK about children. In December 2009 Sarah decides to leave TK as she can not provide him with a family. TK has a rebound sexual encounter with Brooke and they soon start dating.
TK and Brooke break up and TK tries to keep his mind off Sarah, dating 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...
and 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:...
but soon decides he truely loves Sarah and the two have a one night stand before she leaves New Zealand.
In 2011, TK starts dating new nurse Roimata
Roimata Ngatai
Roimata Ngatai is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She is portrayed by Shavaughn Ruakere and has been on the soap since January 2011...
but is shocked in March when Sarah returns, pregnant with his baby. TK fights to stay faithful to Roimata and rushes forward his and Sarah's divorce, while ensuring he will care for his child. After Sarah admits her love for him, TK proposes to Roimata. However things are pushed further to the limit with the arrival of Owen, TK's med school rival who tries to interfere in TK's personal and work life. The wedding takes place but TK ditches the altar to be with Sarah when he hears she is giving birth, but does not make it, saving 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...
from his mangled car wreck. TK and Roimata later marry in an unofficial ceremony.
Reception
TK has proved favorable to female fans and is now one of the most recognizable faces on the show. In 2008, a mother who was a huge of Shortland Street, named her child after the character.He was voted by fans of the show "Favourite Male Character" in 2006, 2009 and 2010.