Shortland Street
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Shortland Street | |
|---|---|
 Logo |
|
| Genre | Soap opera |
| Running time | |
| Creator(s) | Patricia Morrison |
| Starring | Ensemble (see below for details) |
| Country of origin | New Zealand |
| Original channel | TV2 (TVNZ) |
| Original run | 25 May 1992–Current |
| No. of episodes | 3,500 as of June 13, 2006 |
Shortland Street is a New Zealand soap opera set in a modern metropolitan Auckland City hospital. It is New Zealand's longest running soap opera, and began screening on 25 May 1992. The program airs on TV2, one of TVNZ's free-to-air channels, weeknights at 7pm.
According to the TVNZ website the show has a audience of 700,000 per night. About 17.5% of the population.
Many New Zealand actors' careers have been launched by, or included a role on Shortland Street. including Marton Csokas (Dr. Leonard Rossi-Dodds), who has since starred in xXx,The Bourne Supremacy, and Æon Flux; Temuera Morrison (Dr. Hone Ropata), who has since had roles in Once Were Warriors, Speed 2, and Star Wars: Episode II, III and in the 2004 DVD release of The Empire Strikes Back, and Martin Henderson, who has since starred in Bride and Prejudice, The Ring, Windtalkers and Torque.
Contents |
[edit] History
The first episode became infamous for having a sex scene between Chris Warner (Michael Galvin) and an aerobics instructor, Jill (Suzy Aiken). The first episode also included the line, "You're not in Guatemala now, Dr. Ropata" which has since become one of the most widely recognised lines in New Zealand television. The show was initially criticised for bad acting and poor storylines. The show was later praised for its sensitive portrayal of a teenage suicide storyline– later on in its first year. While ratings were initially high, within weeks they had fallen considerably. However, the show was saved from cancellation by the fact that TVNZ had pre-ordered a years worth of episodes. During this time it was well known amongst Shortland Street cast and crew of a young keen fan of the show who would send the cast Christmas cards and Birthday cards each year who was affectionately known around the cast and crew as 'country girl Claire', even going on to using her surname for a character who appeared on the show, as a kind of secret message of personal thanks for her unique support. By May 1993, the show was rating high enough that it was renewed, and later became the highest rating programme in the country for a brief period in August 1994. Since then, ratings have fallen somewhat, but the show remains in the overall top 20 highest rated New Zealand television shows, and still regularly rates number one in the 18 - 49 demographic, the target audience that advertisers most desire.
Over the years there have been a number of cast changes, with Michael Galvin, who plays Chris Warner, being the only remaining original cast member. In 2001, the show received much media attention in New Zealand when 14 cast members were either let go from their contracts or decided to leave. This was part of the revamp on the show which saw many new characters introduced, most notably the Hudson family, who were Maori. While Maori characters had always been featured on the show, the Hudsons were the first Maori family introduced into the show.
The producers of Shortland Street have tried to make the show reflect the current trends in New Zealand health services. As a result, the hospital featured on the show was originally under private ownership, which reflected the increasing privatisation of the New Zealand health services in the early 1990s under the National Government. After the current Labour government was elected into office in 1999, there was a renewed focus on public health services. As a result, in 2001 the producers of the show decided to have the hospital come under government ownership in order to reflect the renewed focus on public health. This change was part of the show's revamp in 2001, and coincided with the cull of 14 characters mentioned above.
In 2003–2004, the show introduced its first serial killer with the Dominic Thompson (Shane Cortese) storyline. Dominic was the brother of nurse Toni Thompson (Laura Hill), and was believed to be the illegitimate half-brother of Dr. Chris Warner, but after this was revealed as a lie, the pair became bitter enemies. Dominic's love affair with 17-year-old Delphi Greenlaw (Anna Hutchison) also created controversy and eventually saw the teenager leave town to escape him. He also killed two characters, Delphi's brother, Dr. Geoff Greenlaw (froze to death in chiller) and PA Avril Lucich (drowned in bathtub) who had threatened to get in his way, before being killed off himself in an explosion after trying to kill Chris in an attempted murder-suicide. The storyline created immense popularity that saw the show ranked once again in the top ten highest rated shows in New Zealand.
2005 saw the departure of the show's longest-serving cast member, Karl Burnett (Nick Harrison), after almost 13 years. Burnett was the only cast member who had been with the show since its inception (although the character and the actor did take a sabbatical from the show in 2002). While Michael Galvin (Chris Warner) has also been on the show since the beginning, his character left for four years, from 1996 to 2000.
Of late, Shortland Street has seen even more long-term cast members leave. In 2005, Daniel Potts (Jarred Blakiston), son of Dr. Sarah Potts (Amanda Billing), left Ferndale to live with his Dad, Tim (Millen Baird), in Samoa and Dr. Andrew Solomon (Paolo Rotondo) left to settle in England with pregnant wife, Robyn Stokes (Kirstie O'Sullivan). 2005 also saw the departure of popular Norman Hanson (Jacob Tomuri), who died in a car crash.
In 2006, Nursing Manager Judy Brownlee (Donogh Rees) left for Sydney with old flame, Mitch Gillespie (John Wraight), class clown Vinnie Kruse (Pua Magasiva) departed for London with pregnant girlfriend Jemima Hampton (Leisha Ward-Knox), teen rebel Jake Valentine (Calum Gittins) departed to reside in Australia, conman Hamish Flynn (Phil Brown) was sent to jail for scamming money from the hospital and former lovebirds Tama and Shannon Hudson (David Wikaira-Paul and Amber Curreen) went their separate ways: Tama left for a few months to Australia to cater for a tour, and Shannon took their baby Rangimarie (Mia Curreen-Poko) up north, to live with new partner Whetu (Taungaroa Emile). Ice queen, Dr Li Mei Chen (Li Ming Hu) died after contracting Stryker's Disease, and Scarlett Valentine's (Nicole Thomson) former flame, Eti Kawaka (Issac Bell) left for Japan on a Student Exchange. However, Eti suprised Maia and Jay by returning home suddenly from Japan. Also in 2006, Shortland Street CEO Huia Samuels (Nicola Kawana) was killed in a car-bomb explosion outside the hopsital. She was carrying Craig Valentine's (Renato Bartolomei) baby. In the midst of the explosion controversy, Anthony Richards (Michael Morris), whom the car-bomb was actually meant for, left Ferndale and his partner Tania Jeffries (Faye Smythe). As of yet, it has not been revealed where Richards escaped to.
As the explosive Anthony Richard's scandal and Huia's death storyline happened recently, it is unlikely Shortland Street will have a high-paced action storyline in the final Shortland Street week of 2006. The show is notable for usually finishing with a cliffhanger at the end of the year. This cliffhanger will factor in these current storylines: Sarah having to chose between the two men that love her: Craig and TK; Chris's life-changing decision to quit surgery and solely focus on the pen-pushing job of CEO, and the trouble this is causing with his colleague Justine Jones and wife Toni, who cannot confide in Chris while having a cancer scare. Also Maia and Jay's quest to have a baby, while Maia is determined to convince Mark to be the father. Shortland Street's final week starts on Monday, 11 December 2006. The show will return in January.
During June, Shortland Street not only celebrated its 14th birthday, but also 3500 episodes of New Zealand's favourite drama.
In November 2005, Shortland Street was the winner of Woman's Day TV Choice Award for Favourite New Zealand show at the 2005 Qantas TV Awards. They won the same award again in the 2006 Qantas TV Awards.
Shortland Street is now the subject of New Zealand's first interactive SMS game based on a soap where participants guess plot outcomes each night. The top points scorer at the end of each round wins a walk-on part on a future episode.
On November 22, 2006 it was announced that actress Laurie Foell had decided to leave the soap and that her character Justine Jones, would be recasted with Lucy Wigmore. This marked the first instance of multiple actors playing the same role in the programme, excluding child characters such as Lucas Harrison and Harry Warner. [1]
[edit] Storylines
[edit] 1992
The romance of Chris Warner and Alison Raynor was the first love affair that was protrayed on the show. Chris proposed to Alison and the two were engaged. However, Chris soon broke up with Alison in order to return to his ex wife, Melanie. Alison later learned that she was pregnant.
Meanwhile, Nurse Jaki Manu faced a crisis when she pricked herself with a needle that had been used on an HIV positive patient, Deborah (Lisa Chappell). After many months, Jaki was cleared of the disease.
Jenny Harrison was a solo mother to her teenaged son Nick. Her ex-husband Barry returned to town and Jenny reconciled with him. However Barry beat Jenny up and left him again. Jenny told Nick that the real reason why she and Barry had divorced was because Barry had regularly beat her when they were married. Nick and Jenny later fell out when Nick became inolved with Serena.
Stuart Neilson quickly fell for Kirsty Knight, but their relationship was short-lived. Soon afterwards, Kirsty was almost raped by Stuart's brother Darryl and pressed charges. She was eventually forced to drop the charges after Darryl's wife, Diane, lied to the police and provided an alibi for her wicked husband.
Meanwhile Stuart and Daryl's parents, Tom and Marj faced several ups and downs. Tom, who was an ambulance driver, developed some sort of sleeping disorder and fell asleep at the wheel and later almost burnt the house down when the heater caught fire while he was asleep. Tom's health problems continued when he was injured in a building collapse. Marj meanwhile, got in contact with her eldest daughter, whom she had given up for adoption shortly after birth. Tom was not pleased to learn that his wife had had another man's baby before they were married.
Paramedic Sam Aleni and Nurse Steve Mills shared a house together and Alison also lived with them amongst the turmoil of her own relationship with Chris. Sam and Steve were Shortland Street's answer to the Odd couple, with Steve forever being caught up in numerous scams and womanising, while Sam was a more serious and devoutly christian, who despite being in his early 20's was still a virgin as he didn't believe in sex before marriage. However the two got along well enough and soon became best friends. Steve began going out with Sarah Donelly, and was devastated when she died of Skin Cancer.
[edit] 1993
Shortly after losing his virginity to Serena, Nick developed a crush on Rachel McKenna which put an end to his relationship with Serena. Rachel was more interested in Stuart and even though Nick was upset at first, he and Rachel would form a close friendship.
Steve was devastated by Sarah's death, but eventually began dating Nurse Carmen Roberts. However Carmen had a drug problem and the two broke up. Steve remained obliious to the affections that Nurse Jo Jordan felt for him. Meanwhile, Sam ended up losing his virginity to a woman who eventually left him for her ex boyfriend. Eventually Sam met T.P, who would become the love of his life.
Chris and Melanie's reconciliation was short-lived, and Chris would once again propose to Alison, who had miscarried his baby. Meanwhile to Kirsty's horror, Darryl Neilson had returned to Ferndale and was soon admitted to Shortland Street after suffering some health issues. Darryl quickly became obsessed with Alison and drugged Chris in order so that he would miss the wedding. Alison, thinking she had been jilted once again, fled the country.
Jaki formed a relationship with cricket star Henry Tamariki, only to learn that he was cheating on her. Jaki broke up with Henry.
Meanwhile Rachel and Stuart's relationship had progressed. Eventually though, Rachel became jealous of his friendship with Kirsty, and was stunned when she learned that Stuart had initially been more interested in her mother, Alex. Rachel dumped Stuart and developed Bulimia, though she eventually sought help and recovered.
Rivalries between Samoan and Tongan gangs reared their ugly head in Ferndale. In the midst of this, Sam and T.P grew closer, despite the fact that their families opposed the relationship as Sam was Samoan and T.P was Tongan. Sam and T.P eventually married, but their families practically disowned both of them.
After breaking up with Hone, Meredith began a relationship with Guy Warner, Chris' brother. The two got engaged, but Guy had secretly been sleeping Jenny on the side. Meredith broke up with Guy, and it seemed that she would get together with Chris. However it was not to be and Meredith left town.
Carmen Roberts returned after having recovered from her drug problem, but didn't reunite with Steve. Instead, Carmen began a love hate relationship with Guy.The two refused to admit that they were strongly attracted to each other. Meanwhile Jo ended up in a relatinship with Stuart.
Jaki went away for several weeks after Alison contacted her and informed her that she was marrying a man named Jean-Luc. Jean Luc turned out to be abusive and Alison fled back to New Zealand, seeking the help of Chris and Michael McKenna. Jean Luc was killed on Christmas Day 1993, and Alison once again left the country.
[edit] 1994
Henry Tamariki returned to Shortland StreetJaki decided that she was still in love with him and left Ferndale with him.
Jo and Stuart's relationship quickly became unstuck and Jo developed a friendship with Chris Warner. Meanwhile, Gina and Leonard decided to move to California. For the going away party, they had a picnic on the beach. On the way home, Steve, T.P, Chris and Kirsty were in the car together when Steve and Chris began arguing about Jo. Their car ended up crashing, Chris was thrown from the car, while Kirsty and T.P were trapped inside. Steve managed to free Kirsty and went back for T.P. However, just as Sam arrived the car exploded and Steve and T.P were killed.
Jenny was once again single until Jenny had a relationship with Johnny Marinovich. As 1994 ended, Jenny discovered that she was pregnant with Johnny's child.
Kirsty was torn between Greg Feeney and Lionel Skeggins. She choose Greg, but he ended up running off with Jo. Some months later Kirsty and Lionel finally reconciled and decided to marry. Before they were due to be wed, Kirsty discovered that her old arch nemesis Darryl had faked the abduction of his kids in order to make his now ex-wife Diane more sympathetic towards him. She exposed Darryl to Diane, who refused to let Darryl ever see the kids again. Darryl immediately decided to get revenge and encouraged Stuart to act on his feelings for Kirsty before she married Lionel. As Lionel and Kirsty were in the chapel about to be married, Stuart stood up and objected to the union.
[edit] 1995
Lionel and Kirsty's wedding became a disaster after Stuart interrupted the ceremony. However, Kirsty chose Lionel and married him. Stuart apologised for his actions and later left town. Lionel and Kirsty's marriage was strong at first, with Kirsty supporting Lionel when he came down with tetanus and had a bad reaction to his medication. Kirsty discovered that Darryl Neilson's drug company had been supplying dodgy drugs to several hospitals and clinics and that this was what caused Lionel's reaction to his tetanus medication. Kirsty confronted Darryl and the two had a showdown on the Toheroa. Darryl's body was soon found. Kirsty couldn't remember what exactly happened and wondered if she had killed Darryl.
Jenny decided that she did not want to have another child and had an abortion, much to Nick and Johnny's dismay. Johnny grew closer to his estranged wife, Ellen, once again and soon they were having an affair. Jenny was diagnosed with breast cancer, prompting Johnny to return to her. However Jenny eventually discovered the affair and broke up with Johnny once and for all. Ellen decided that she didn't want Johnny back either.
Nick and Waverley managed to form a close relationship, however it was not without its hitches. Waverley thought she was pregnant, and so Nick proposed. However, when Waverley discovered that she wasn't pregnant, Nick quickly retracted the proposal. Several months later, Nick's best friend, Rachel, convinced Nick to take part in a wedding scheme designed to alert people to the unfairness of the student-allowance system. Nick and Rachel married, and while it was a marriage of convenience, Waverley was incensed and humiliated and decided to leave for Australia. Nick tried to go after her, but was stopped when airport authorities found marijuana in his backpack. Nick was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing with drug possession and gave up on Waverley.
Towards the end of 1994, ambulance officer Rebecca Frost had her driver's licence suspended because of speeding and thus went back to her old career of nursing. During this period, she had a brief relationship with Chris Warner before getting together with Hone's nephew Manny Ahutahi. Manny and Rebecca's relationship was just as short-lived, as Manny soon left her for Rachel. Rachel also formed a close friendship with newly arrived ambulance officer, Rangi Heiramaia, as did Rebecca, who had returned to the ambulance service once the suspension on her driver's license was finished. Soon afterwards, Rachel was then sexually harassed by her lecturer and landlord. Manny beat him up and as a result was sent to prison for assault. Rangi comforted Rachel, and the two began a relationship, which resulted in the increasingly violent Manny stabbing Rangi when Rangi visited him in prison.
As the months passed, Lionel and Kirsty's marriage became more volatile and the two separated for a while when Kirsty went to LA to visit Gina. At Christmas 1995, Kirsty was involved in the truck smash at the clinic and lost her memory. She couldn't remember ever loving Lionel and fell back into Greg Feeny's arms.
Rebecca had developed a heart problem and as a result became a born-again Christian. She underwent a heart-valve replacement and seemingly made a full recovery.
[edit] 1996
Even though Kirsty eventually regained her memory and returned to Lionel, Lionel had by this time fallen in love with Dr Grace Kwan and he and Kirsty eventually separated. Lionel and Grace formed a relationship, but later Kirsty and Lionel realised that they still had feelings for one another and shared a kiss at Christmas time.
Rachel and Rangi's romance was not smooth sailing. Shortly after the two got together, Rangi was involved in an accident that killed one person. Rangi was cleared of wrongdoing, but shortly thereafter his ex-girlfriend Wai and their son Toka turned up in town. Wai tried to come between Rangi and Rachel, but failed. Rangi and Rachel's stormy relationship continued.
Rebecca's Christianity did not stop her from becoming involved in questionable relationships with a married man, and the sexually confused Kane, who was simultaneously involved with Rachel's brother Jonathan. One night Rangi and Rebecca argued while renovating Kennedy's, which had just been bought for Rachel by her mother as a 21st birthday present. The two ended up sleeping together, and Rangi decided that he wanted to be with Rebecca. However, Rangi couldn't bring himself to break up with Rachel, and eventually Rebecca grew frustrated and called off the relationship.
Rachel had in fact decided to dump Rangi herself, but was prevented from doing so when Rangi was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. Rangi was left as a paraplegic and Rachel felt obligated to care for him. The stress began to take its toll on Rachel, and she began to drink heavily. Eventually, Rangi and Rachel broke up for good.
Ellen began a relationship with the newly arrived Dr David Kearney who had been Jenny's oncologist during her breast cancer ordeal. Meanwhile, streetkid Fergus first arrived on the scene as one of the street kids that Guy Warner was helping, and returned several months later at a party where he took the virginity of Ellen Crozier's daughter Minnie. Minnie later tried to sneak Fergus into her room, but was caught out by David and Ellen. It was at this point that it was revealed that Fergus was David's son and that he had run away from home several years earlier. David's sister Liz Stokes felt sorry for the boy and decided to take him in, but he burned down her home. Fergus was arrested and sent to a juvenile detention facility.
If Fergus wasn't enough to deal with, David and Ellen also had to contend with Johnny, who tried several times to break up David and Ellen, and even befriended Fergus, but Ellen had fallen deeply in love with David. However, David's ex-wife Isobel turned up when Fergus had gotten into trouble and Ellen misinterpreted their relationship. Ellen flew to Fiji and spent several weeks there. David found out where Ellen was and flew to Fiji, where he and Ellen had a tender reunion. Ellen would then break the news to David that she was pregnant with his child.
Dr Ian Seymour arrived in town, and after a brief flirtation with Caroline, began dating Jenny, who was still recovering from her breast cancer. Nick initially suspected Ian of being involved in shady business dealings. This led to a tense situation for Nick and Caroline at Christmas.
[edit] 1997
Kirsty and Lionel briefly reunited, but realised that their renewed romance wouldn't work. Lionel returned to Grace, but Grace realised that her relationship with Lionel wasn't working either, and the two split for good.
It seemed that Nick was wrong about his earlier doubts about Ian's character and instead wholeheartedly accepted his mother's new relationship. Several months later, Kirsty began to suspect that Ian was not as honest as he appeared to be and vowed to expose him. Kirsty learned that Ian may have been responsible for Rebecca's death as he was involved with the development of the faulty heart valve that killed her. As Ian and Jenny prepared to get married, Ian's mother turned up and also threatened to expose him. One day as they were arguing, Ian's mother had a heart attack and collapsed. Ian stood there and simply watched his mother die. Ian and Jenny married shortly afterwards. Finally Ian was able to take over the clinic. Kirsty and David teamed up to expose Ian, and finally found the evidence that they were looking for. Kirsty confronted Ian, and he attempted to drown her in his swimming pool. Jenny saved Kirsty, but Ian fled the scene.
David convinced Ellen to return to New Zealand, and the two married in May 1997, with their daughter Rose being born soon afterwards.
Fergus released and was determined to turn his life around, especially after he met his baby sister Rose. However, Fergus and Minnie would soon find themselves embroiled in a neo-Nazi organisation. The two eventually realised that the organisation was corrupt and evil, and left.
Rangi and Rebecca resumed their relationship and eventually Rangi was able to walk again. Rangi was about to propose to Rebecca, but unfortunately the valve used in Rebecca's operation was faulty, and she collapsed and died. Rangi was devastated and it took many months before he was able to form another relationship, this time with Donna Heka.
[edit] 1998 - 2000
[edit] Rangi and Donna
Rangi and Donna's relationship had barely got off the ground when they were dealt with the shocking blow that they were in fact half-brother and -sister! The two initially hated one another, before becoming friends again. Donna supported Rangi when he was accused of bashing several women, and she helped him go on the run. After Rangi was cleared, Donna and Rangi slept together again, but then decided that their relationship was wrong. Donna then had a disastrous affair with the married John Harlan, while Rangi dated Dr Vani Naran before she went ahead with her arranged marriage to Krish. By the end of 1999, Donna had briefly reconciled with her ex-husband Joe Heka, but soon realised it was Rangi that she still cared for. Donna then made the shocking discovery that she was the product of an affair and that she and Rangi were not brother and sister after all. However by this time Rangi was involved in a relationship with Janet Maxwell. Soon afterwards, Rangi helped clear Donna of murder and the two realised they were still in love. Rangi broke up with Janet and he and Donna finally married in the show's 2000th episode. Rangi and Donna would be happy for a while, but soon Donna's fertility problems began to get in the way.
[edit] David and Ellen
David and Ellen's marriage was shaken to the core when Rose died of cot death. Ellen turned to Rangi in her grief and the two had an affair. David meanwhile had turned to Bridget. However, by the end of 1998, Ellen and David had realised that hey still wanted to be with one another. As David prepared to tell Bridget that he was leaving her to return to Ellen, Bridget learned that she was suffering from a brain tumour and as a result, David decided to stay with her uintil she recovered. The two flew off to the U.S. so Bridget could get treatment. Upon their return, Ellen and David began seeing each other again. Fergus eventually grew tired of the way that his father was treating Bridget and so told her the truth himself. Bridget was upset and immediately decided to leave town. Ellen and David were happy to be together once more but their relationship soon suffered a serious blow when it was found that David was suffering from an illness that would cost him his sight. David's condition worsened, and he decided to retire to the Hawkes Bay. Ellen went with him.
[edit] Oscar and Mackenzie
1998 would be the worst year of Minnie's life as she would also be deeply affected by her sister's death, and began rebelling. However within a few months she had calmed down somewhat and formed a relationship with Oscar Henry who had replaced Jenny after she took a job down in Wellington with Marj. However, Minnie would soon begin to feel uneasy around Oscar after he made several attempts to control her appearance and lifestyle. Minnie decided that she had to break up with Oscar.
Lionel decided once and for all that he wanted to be with Kirsty, but she was still haunted by the memory of her final showdown with Darryl almost three years earlier. Kirsty's preoccupation with Darryl's death only increased when his twin brother Damien turned up. Kirsty realised that she had killed Darryl, but Damien forgave her and the two fell in love. After Damien was injured in a fire, Kirsty decided she wanted to be with him, and the two left town.
Lionel had been devastated after Kirsty left town to be with Damien Neilson, but soon decided to put his life together. He bought the R Bar from Alex and renamed it Lionel's. He soon got the sock of his life when it was revealed that he had in fact sired an illegitimate son Luke, who was now 15. Lionel and Luke got to know one another, and soon after Lionel also formed a relationship with Mackenzie Choate, a psychiatrist who worked at the clinic.
Mackenzie helped Minnie break up with Oscar after he blackmailed her with several pornographic pictures that he had taken of her. Oscar was enraged. Making his way over to Minnie's house, he forced himself on her and raped her. Minnie told Mackenzie what had happened, but Oscar framed Mackenzie for fraud, leading to her dismissal from the clinic. Several weeks later, Oscar stole $1 million from the clinic's takings, and shortly thereafter was found bludgeoned by Minnie.
The mystery continued into the following year as Fergus and Minnie were both suspected of the crime. While Oscar languished in a coma, Mackenzie began acting strangely even though she and Lionel were now engaged. While on a weekend vacation with Luke, Lionel and Mackenzie decided to elope, but shortly after their wedding, Lionel discovered several large sums of cash in Mackenzie's bag. Mackenzie confessed it was the money Oscar had stolen from the clinic and Lionel realised that Mackenzie had bludgeoned Oscar. He fled from Mackenzie and was swept off some rocks at a beach. His body was never found.
Mackenzie became increasingly unhinged after Lionel's death and resorted to drugging Luke in order to keep him near her. Mackenzie also began an affair with the recently returned Greg Feeney. Soon afterwards, Mackenzie realised Oscar was faking his coma and had a final showdown with him in his hospital ward. She managed to overpower him, and then set off a bomb in his room. Mackenzie then fled town soon afterwards.
Fergus helped Minnie deal with her rape trauma and the two briefly reunited. However, their relationship ended for good when Minnie discovered that Fergus was cheating on her. Minnie's next relationship ended in the same way, making Minnie decide to use men for all she could get. This led Minnie into a brief foray into prostitution, though she wound up in a spot of bother when a man she slept with died. Nick helped her get out of this jam and the two formed a brief relationship.
[edit] The Crombie Family
Moira Crombie arrived at the clinic midway through 1997, followed soon afterwards by her daughter Shelley. While Shelley had an abortion, the Crombie's were generally a somewhat happy family, though it was soon revealed that Moira had been in prison for several years following an armed robbery. Moira's co-workers finally met her often mentioned husband Earl in 1998 at the Shortland Street Talent Quest. Soon afterwards, the Crombies fell into financial strife that necessitated Earl going overseas for several months in order to take a job. Whie Earl was gone, Moira's ex-boyfriend Dean arrived in town. Moira was initially bitter (because he had been the ringleader in the armed robbery and had left her to take the fall for the crime), but eventually forgave him. Dean shouted the Crombies a trip to see Earl at the end of 1998.
Early in 1999, the Crombies were rocked by the news that youngest son Matthew 'Maddy' Crombie had leukaemia. Maddy underwent treatment, and eventually a bone marrow donor was found in the form of eldest Crombie son Jordan. Earl also returned after his son got sick. Moira later discovered that Jordan was gay, and while she initially did not accept her son's homosexuality, she eventually grew to accept him for who he was.
Earl was then killed in a drink-driving accident, leaving Moira a widow. Soon afterwards, Shelley also left town to head to Germany on an exchange programme. However, Moira's grief was soon tempered by the return of her former flame Dean. By the end of 1999, the two decided that they were in love with each other and married in early 2000. Dean's daughter Erin came to live with Moira and Dean, and while she initially did not get along with her stepbrother Blake, the two soon formed a friendship, though the family's unity was severely threatened when Erin fell for her teacher. Erin was eventually sent back to live with her mother, while Moira's nephew Eamon came to live with the family. Eamon's presence in the household would drive Dean and Moira apart, particularly after Eamon drugged and raped Nurse Kate Larsen. Moira believed in Eamon's innocence, but Dean realised that he was guilty and as a result, Moira and Dean separated at the end of 2004.
[edit] Nick and Waverley
Nick got a surprise when Waverley returned to Ferndale after being away for more than two years. They soon reunited, and were preparing to get married when Roger, Waverley's ex-husband, got in the way. Nick forgave Waverley for her indiscretion, but couldn't forgive her when she cut all of his hair off. The two broke up and both had a series of flings, Nick with Aleesha and Minnie, Waverley with Fergus. Nick then learned that he had gotten his girlfriend Angela (Ange) pregnant. Nick committed himself to Ange, but their happiness was shortlived when Ange discovered that she had cancer and had to make a choice between treatment and the baby. Ange choose the baby and carried the child until she was 28 weeks before giving birth. However by this time it was too late to treat the cancer, and Ange only had a few months left to live. After a series of misunderstandings, Waverley also committed to Fergus and they got engaged at the end of 2000.
[edit] 2001 - 2004
[edit] The revamp
Chris Warner returned to town at the end of 2000 and immediately regained control of the clinic. It seemed that Chris had some sort of plan to change Shortland Street forever; it was soon revealed that he had sold Shortland Street to the Government, and that Shortland Street was to transform into a public hospital. The revamp of the clinic into a hospital left many of the staff without a job, as several departments considered to be no further use were closed. During this period, Sofia, Paul, Cassie, Frank, Moira, Kate, Al and Tamsin would all leave, to be replaced by newcomers such as Toni Thompson, Judy Brownlee, The Heywoods (Barb, Adam and Marshall) and The Hudsons (Joe, Te Hana, Mihi and Tama).
[edit] Nick and Waverley
Nick and Ange named their son Lucas and spent a precious few weeks together before Ange succumbed to her illness. Nick was initially devastated, and blamed baby Lucas for Ange's death, but eventually began to see that Lucas was not to blame and that the best way to honour Ange's memory would be to be the best possible dad to Lucas.
Meanwhile, Fergus got caught up in an illegal immigration scam which resulted in the death of one of the illegal immigrants. Fergus was left to take the fall for the scam but was determined to marry Waverley and kept from her the news that he was wanted by the police for his involvement in the scam. However, as Fergus and Waverley were due to be married, the police arrived to arrest Fergus. Fergus fled from the cops, and poor Waverley was left jilted at the altar.
Waverley consoled herself by helping Nick look after his son, and the two grew closer. However, Waverley began a relationship with Dr. Adam Heywood. Nick finally admitted his feelings to Waverley and the two considered reuniting. However Waverley decided that she couldn't leave Adam after his mother Barb was injured in an explosion. Nick and Lucas left Ferndale for London. Meanwhile Waverley and Adam eventually went their separate ways, and Waverley began pining for Nick. Nick eventually returned and he and Waverley were married.
[edit] The Warners
Chris and Toni have a long history...after a one night stand back in 2002, Harry Warner was born. Toni was a good time girl who didn't know who the father was, after having DNA done, it was announced Chris was the Father. and many fights and custody battles after a firery showdown between arch enemies Chris and Dom, Toni and Chris were drawn closer together. A working trip to Fiji with Chris saw their relationship rekindle and their wedding was the social event on the Ferndale calendar in 2005.
[edit] 2006 -
On February 14, 2006, Shortland Street was the first soap opera to feature a Civil Union between lesbian couple, Maia Jeffries (Anna Jullienne) and Jay Copeland (Jaime Passier-Armstrong).
[edit] Deaths in Shortland Street
[edit] 1992
- Nurse Sarah Donnelly died of melanoma in the arms of boyfriend, Steve Mills.
[edit] 1993
- Tom Neilson died of a heart attack.
[edit] 1994
- Steve Mills died in a car accident.
- Talita Pahele (TP) Alinei died in the same car accident.
[edit] 1995
- Darryl Neilson drowned.
- Richard Thornton died of a broken neck, caused by a fall.
- Sir Bruce Warner died of cancer.
- Nurse Carmen Roberts died of a brain haemorrhage.
[edit] 1996
- Bernie Leach was bludgeoned to death with candlestick, murdered by Carla Crozier-Leach
[edit] 1997
- Rebecca Frost died from a faulty heart valve.
- Annabelle Lustwick - died from euthanasia, assisted by Caroline Buxton.
[edit] 1998
- Baby Rose Crozier-Kearney died from SIDS (Sudden Infant-Death Syndrome).
- Tiffany Marinovich died in a high-rise fall.
[edit] 1999
- Dr. Michael McKenna died of a heart attack.
- Lionel Skeggins went missing, presumed drowned.
- Oscar Henry in an explosion, intentionally caused by Dr. MacKenzie Choat.
- Earl Crombie died in a car accident.
[edit] 2000
- Dr. Laura Hall died of a heart attack.
- Eamon Dempsey died from a fall off a cliff.
[edit] 2001
- Angela Weaver died of cancer.
- Rangi Heremia died of an overdose, murdered by Kim Tiroa.
- Jack Hewitt died by being hit by a car (suicide).
[edit] 2002
- James Kingi gangland stabbing, murdered by Kurt Matakuare.
- Connie McAllister died of euthanasia, assisted by Dr. Geoff Greenlaw.
- Neil Kepple died of euthanasia, assisted by Dr. Geoff Greenlaw.
[edit] 2003
- Lady Margot Warner died of cancer.
- Baby Ngakau Kahu died from Streptoccous B.
- Max Henley died from a brain haemorrhage.
- Dr. Geoff Greenlaw froze to death in a chiller, murdered by Dominic Thompson.
- Nurse Anne Greenlaw Kahu was crushed in a building collapse.
[edit] 2004
- Nurse Layla Cornwall hanged herself (suicide).
- Rex Treherne died of a heart attack.
- Avril Lucich drowned in a bathtub, murdered by Dominic Thompson.
- Dominic Thompson died in a fiery explosion (suicide).
[edit] 2005
- Baby James Warner miscarried [6 months].
- Norman Hanson died of injuries sustained in a car accident.
[edit] 2006
- Ian Jefferies died from a fall from a cliff (suicide).
- Dr. Li Mei Chen died in virus outbreak (strykers virus).
- Huia Samuels killed in car bombing meant for Anthony Richards.
[edit] Cast
[edit] Original Cast Members
- Paul Gittins (Dr. Michael Mckenna) (1992 - 1995, 1997, 1998 - 1999)
- Michael Galvin (Dr. Chris Warner) (1992 - 1996, 2000-)
- Temuera Morrison (Dr. Hone Ropata) (1992 - 1995)
- Stephanie Wilkin (Dr. Meredith Fleming) (1992 - 1993, 1994)
- Lisa Crittenden (Nurse Carrie Burton) (1992 - 1993)
- Nancy Brunning (Nurse Jackie Manu) (1992 - 1994)
- Danielle Cormack (Nurse Alison Raynor) (1992 - 1993)
- Andrew Binns (Nurse Steve Mills) (1992 - 1994)
- Rene Naufahu (Sam Aleni) (1992 - 1996)
- Maggie Harper (P.A. Jenny Harrison) (1992 - 1998, 2002)
- Karl Burnett (Nick Harrison) (1992 - 2005)
- Elizabeth McRae (Majorie Neilson) (1992 - 1996, 1998, 2002)
- Adrian Keeling (Tom Neilson) (1992 - 1993)
- Martin Henderson (Stuart Neilson) (1992 - 1995)
- Angela Marie Dotchin (Kirsty Knight) (1992 - 1998)
- Josephine Davidson (Gina Rossi) (1992 - 1994, 1995)
[edit] Current Cast Members (2006)
- Michael Galvin (Dr. Chris Warner) (1992-1996, 2000-)
- Laura Hill (Nurse Toni Warner) (2001-)
- Renato Bartolomei (Dr. Craig Valentine) (2004-)
- Amanda Billing (Dr. Sarah Potts) (2004-)
- Peter Mochrie (Dr. Callum McKay) (2006-)
- Laurie Foell (Dr. Justine Jones) (2005, 2006)
- Tim Foley (Dr. Mark Weston) (2004-)
- Faye Smythe (Nurse Tania Jefferies) (2005-)
- Anna Jullienne (Nurse Maia Jefferies) (2004-)
- Jamie Passier-Armstrong (Jay Copeland) (2004-)
- Fleur Saville (P.A. Libby Jefferies) (2005-)
- Benjamin Mitchell (Dr. TK Samuels) (2006-)
- Toni Potter (Nurse Alice Piper) (2005-)
- Isaac Bell (Eti Kawaka) (2005-)
- Nicole Thomson (Scarlett Valentine) (2004-)
- Tom Hern (Nurse Baxter Cormack) (2005-)
- Emily Robins (Claire Solomon) (2005-)
- Lee Donoghue (Hunter McKay) (2006-)
- Kim Crossman (Sophie McKay) (2006-)
- Katherine McRae (Nurse Brenda Holloway) (2006-)
- Alison Quigan (Yvonne Jefferies) (2004, 2005-)
[edit] Recurring Cast Members (2006)
- Henry Williams (Harry Warner #2) (2006-)
[edit] Arrivals and Departures
- Laurie Foell (Justine Jones) (Exits late 2006)
- Lucy Wigmore (Justine Jones #2) (Arrives early 2007)
[edit] Other Longstanding Cast Members
- Angela Bloomfield (Rachel McKenna) (1993 - 1999, 2001 - 2003)
- Claire Chitham (Waverley Wilson/Harrison) (1994-95, 1998-2005)
- Katrina Devine (Minnie Crozier) (1994 - 2001)
- John Leigh (Lionel Skeggins) (1993, 1994-1999)
- Robyn Malcolm (Ellen Crozier/Kearney) (1994 - 1999)
- Blair Strang (Rangi Heiramaia) (1995 - 2001)
- Stephanie Tuevihi (Donna Heka) (1997 - 2004)
