TK and Sarah
Encyclopedia
TK Samuels and Sarah Potts are fictional characters, a fan favorite coupling and a common storyline on the New Zealand
soap opera
Shortland Street
. Sarah is portrayed by Amanda Billing
and has been on the soap since 2004 while TK
is portrayed by Benjamin Mitchell and has been on since 2006.
The couple first came together in December 2006 and since then have become a fan favourite on the show with the relationship being termed one of Shortland Street's greatest love stories.
The relationship has been one of the key storylines in several highly rated seasons, including the 2006 cliffhanger
, 2009 cliffhanger and 2011 Winter Season.
cousin TK
gets a placing in the Emergency Department under the eyes of Craig Valentine
and Sarah Potts. TK proves to be immature and hyperactive, annoying the hardworking Sarah. However TK soon develops a crush on Sarah but it is not mutual, with Sarah beginning to date Craig. This crushes TK and he decides to change his ways to show he truly cares. TK gets a job in General Practition and gets his first ever house as a way of showing his maturity. Craig cheats on Sarah and TK kindly gives her a shoulder to cry on. After Huia dies, Craig blames Sarah and TK continues to show his care for Sarah. Sarah finally admits she wants to be with TK and the two start to date, but in December 2006, Craig readmits his love and Sarah is forced to choose between her longtime crush, Craig and her newfound love TK. Sarah chooses TK and proposes to him.
The two set about planning their wedding however Sarah suspects TK is cheating with his ex but he reveals he is helping her quit prostitution. Another problem surfaces when TK's mother Liz arrives and tries to run the wedding plans, infuriating Sarah. Sarah and Liz come to an agreement, but on the big day, Sarah calls off the wedding as she thinks she is still in love with Craig. Craig refuses to believe this and drives her to the wedding, Sarah and TK finally marry. However Sarah leaves the honeymoon early to help Craigs department run smoothly while he recovers from a heart attack. When TK returns he is furious and refuses to talk to Sarah, several weeks later the two reconcile. Sarah is delt a huge blow when her ex sister in law, Claire is murdered and TK's cousin's insult Claire's dignity. TK calms the situation however. Sarah once again suspects TK of cheating when she catches Harmony O'Neil coming onto him, however when Sarah realizes the truth she tells TK she wants children.
In 2008 TK reveals he is not ready for children and Sarah emotionally reveals she believes their marriage was a mistake. TK tells Sarah how deeply in love he is and that they will have children when they are ready and Sarah agrees. TK encourages Sarah to take up cooking and the two once again show their love for each other more than ever. However Sarah soon finds she has a mysterious illness and after Craig diagnoses it as Multiple Sclerosis
, Sarah doesn't tell TK. Sarah eventually reveals her illness and TK tries very hard to help her, including shaping her diet which annoys Sarah and the two agree to stick to their own routines in a health sense. TK tells Sarah he is ready for children and Sarah soon falls pregnant, however the baby is revealed to have an illness and the two terminate it in January 2009.
The two go on several adventures to keep their mind off the baby including horse back riding. The arrival of Sarah's son Daniel Potts
causes a stir after he gets in trouble with the law and TK encourages Sarah to call the police after his car gets destroyed in a crash. TK soon helps Daniel take up boxing which Sarah doesn't approve of, TK also soon starts to care for streetkid Tupac. Sarah tells TK that Tupac is trouble and she is right when Daniel nearly dies in the boxing ring with Tupacs cousin. TK asks Sarah for children and Sarah disagrees as she fears they will have the same illness as they previous child, the two begin to argue and the vindictive Brooke Freeman
sets up a serious argument framing TK for making Sarah have a pregnancy test. A devastated Sarah tells TK she is moving out in December 2009 as she can not provide TK with children. TK disagrees but nevertheless they separate and Sarah begins a relationship with Maxwell Avia
.
In 2010, a shocked TK learns of Sarah and Maxwell and starts a relationship with Brooke. When Sarah starts up a clinic, TK willingly becomes involved in it, a worried Brooke stops TK as she fears he may get back together with Sarah. Over the year TK gets involved in numerous relationships but they all end as the women all believe he still has feelings for Sarah. Sarah eventually decides she too loves TK but she is set to leave New Zealand, she confronts TK and they admit their love before having sex. TK decides not to hold Sarah back and she leaves.
In 2011 TK begins a relationship with new nurse Roimata Ngatai
but Sarah arrives back in March, pregnant with his daughter. Sarah asks TK to continue their marriage but a emotional TK refuses and stays true to Roimata. However he constantly ditches Roimata for Sarah and even spends the night sleeping next to Sarah. This causes TK to imagine Sarah naked, embarrassing him and making him lie to Roimata. Sarah soon readmits her love to TK and he instantly goes and proposes to Roimata. TK continues to stress his love to Roimata but on the day of the wedding, he hears Sarah is giving birth and goes to find her, leaving Roimata at the altar, humiliated. He and Sarah admire their baby but when Sarah realizes she has lost TK forever, she disowns him and refuses to let him see his child. TK apologizes to Roimata and the two promise to love each other forever.
. The couple received several mentions in the Throng Shortland Street Fan Awards 2010, being asked by a majority of voters to get back together and have a child. The couple has also been referred to as a "golden couple".
The Sarah, TK and Craig love triangle was said to have "gripped" viewers throughout 2006.
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...
. Sarah is portrayed by Amanda Billing
Amanda Billing
Amanda Billing is best known for her role as Doctor Sarah Potts on New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street.-Biography:...
and has been on the soap since 2004 while TK
TK Samuels
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.-2006-:...
is portrayed by Benjamin Mitchell and has been on since 2006.
The couple first came together in December 2006 and since then have become a fan favourite on the show with the relationship being termed one of Shortland Street's greatest love stories.
The relationship has been one of the key storylines in several highly rated seasons, including the 2006 cliffhanger
Shortland Street Cliffhangers
The annual Shortland Street Cliffhanger is a storyline at the end of the years season leaving behind a question to be solved the following year. This technique is used to lure viewers back after the long break. Cliffhangers are usually carefully written as so storyline's from throughout the year...
, 2009 cliffhanger and 2011 Winter Season.
Storylines
In January 2006, 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....
cousin TK
TK Samuels
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.-2006-:...
gets a placing in the Emergency Department under the eyes of Craig Valentine
Craig Valentine
Dr. Craig Valentine is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Renato Bartolomei for four years from May 2004 to September 2008....
and Sarah Potts. TK proves to be immature and hyperactive, annoying the hardworking Sarah. However TK soon develops a crush on Sarah but it is not mutual, with Sarah beginning to date Craig. This crushes TK and he decides to change his ways to show he truly cares. TK gets a job in General Practition and gets his first ever house as a way of showing his maturity. Craig cheats on Sarah and TK kindly gives her a shoulder to cry on. After Huia dies, Craig blames Sarah and TK continues to show his care for Sarah. Sarah finally admits she wants to be with TK and the two start to date, but in December 2006, Craig readmits his love and Sarah is forced to choose between her longtime crush, Craig and her newfound love TK. Sarah chooses TK and proposes to him.
The two set about planning their wedding however Sarah suspects TK is cheating with his ex but he reveals he is helping her quit prostitution. Another problem surfaces when TK's mother Liz arrives and tries to run the wedding plans, infuriating Sarah. Sarah and Liz come to an agreement, but on the big day, Sarah calls off the wedding as she thinks she is still in love with Craig. Craig refuses to believe this and drives her to the wedding, Sarah and TK finally marry. However Sarah leaves the honeymoon early to help Craigs department run smoothly while he recovers from a heart attack. When TK returns he is furious and refuses to talk to Sarah, several weeks later the two reconcile. Sarah is delt a huge blow when her ex sister in law, Claire is murdered and TK's cousin's insult Claire's dignity. TK calms the situation however. Sarah once again suspects TK of cheating when she catches Harmony O'Neil coming onto him, however when Sarah realizes the truth she tells TK she wants children.
In 2008 TK reveals he is not ready for children and Sarah emotionally reveals she believes their marriage was a mistake. TK tells Sarah how deeply in love he is and that they will have children when they are ready and Sarah agrees. TK encourages Sarah to take up cooking and the two once again show their love for each other more than ever. However Sarah soon finds she has a mysterious illness and after Craig diagnoses it as 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...
, Sarah doesn't tell TK. Sarah eventually reveals her illness and TK tries very hard to help her, including shaping her diet which annoys Sarah and the two agree to stick to their own routines in a health sense. TK tells Sarah he is ready for children and Sarah soon falls pregnant, however the baby is revealed to have an illness and the two terminate it in January 2009.
The two go on several adventures to keep their mind off the baby including horse back riding. The arrival of 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...
causes a stir after he gets in trouble with the law and TK encourages Sarah to call the police after his car gets destroyed in a crash. TK soon helps Daniel take up boxing which Sarah doesn't approve of, TK also soon starts to care for streetkid Tupac. Sarah tells TK that Tupac is trouble and she is right when Daniel nearly dies in the boxing ring with Tupacs cousin. TK asks Sarah for children and Sarah disagrees as she fears they will have the same illness as they previous child, the two begin to argue and the vindictive 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...
sets up a serious argument framing TK for making Sarah have a pregnancy test. A devastated Sarah tells TK she is moving out in December 2009 as she can not provide TK with children. TK disagrees but nevertheless they separate and Sarah begins a relationship with Maxwell Avia
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:...
.
In 2010, a shocked TK learns of Sarah and Maxwell and starts a relationship with Brooke. When Sarah starts up a clinic, TK willingly becomes involved in it, a worried Brooke stops TK as she fears he may get back together with Sarah. Over the year TK gets involved in numerous relationships but they all end as the women all believe he still has feelings for Sarah. Sarah eventually decides she too loves TK but she is set to leave New Zealand, she confronts TK and they admit their love before having sex. TK decides not to hold Sarah back and she leaves.
In 2011 TK begins a relationship with new nurse Roimata Ngatai
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 Sarah arrives back in March, pregnant with his daughter. Sarah asks TK to continue their marriage but a emotional TK refuses and stays true to Roimata. However he constantly ditches Roimata for Sarah and even spends the night sleeping next to Sarah. This causes TK to imagine Sarah naked, embarrassing him and making him lie to Roimata. Sarah soon readmits her love to TK and he instantly goes and proposes to Roimata. TK continues to stress his love to Roimata but on the day of the wedding, he hears Sarah is giving birth and goes to find her, leaving Roimata at the altar, humiliated. He and Sarah admire their baby but when Sarah realizes she has lost TK forever, she disowns him and refuses to let him see his child. TK apologizes to Roimata and the two promise to love each other forever.
Reception
The couple have been described as a "popular couple" by producer Jason Daniel and have been the topic of many arguments on fan messageboards and the official FacebookFacebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
. The couple received several mentions in the Throng Shortland Street Fan Awards 2010, being asked by a majority of voters to get back together and have a child. The couple has also been referred to as a "golden couple".
The Sarah, TK and Craig love triangle was said to have "gripped" viewers throughout 2006.