| Rachel McKenna | |||||||||||||||
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| Shortland Street character | |||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Angela Bloomfield | ||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Brian Lenanne (1993) Harriet Crampton (2001) Jason Daniel (2007) Steven Zanoski (2009) |
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| Duration | 1993–99, 2001–03, 2007, 2009— | ||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 15 January 1993 | ||||||||||||||
| Classification | Present; regular | ||||||||||||||
| Book appearances | Nick's Story - Shortland Street Books (1996) | ||||||||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 1976 | ||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Supervisor | ||||||||||||||
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Rachel McKenna is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Angela Bloomfield for numerous stints following her first appearance in early 1993.
Arriving as part of the McKenna family unit, Rachel debuted in early 1993 alongside her mother Alex (Liddy Holloway), the estranged wife of hospital CEO Michael McKenna (Paul Gittins). The family were later joined by Rachel's homosexual brother Jonathon (Kieren Hutchison). Originally a love interest for "heart throb" Stuart Neilson (Martin Henderson), Rachel would go through numerous boyfriends and three husbands. She was known for her covering of "ethical issues" such as storylines that covered bulimia, near death experiences, alcoholism, student loan protests, child abuse and being hit by lightning. Her friendship with Nick Harrison (Karl Burnett) spanned numerous years, saw the two become an iconic coupling and even become briefly married during a protest on student loans.
The character is largely iconic, with Bloomfield being asked to reprise the role numerous times. She has also been labelled the "Sexiest Female" on the soap.
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The McKenna family unit was introduced in early 1993 as a ploy to increase ratings.[1] Rachel was the teenage daughter and love interest for established character Stuart Neilson. By the late nineties, Bloomfield had grown sick of the role and quit.[2] The character made her last appearance in 1999.[3] Bloomfield soon started to miss the role and when she was offered the role again, happily accepted.[2] However once again Bloomfield felt weighed down by the role and found it difficult to stand such a hard nosed character, she quit the role and left in 2003.[4] Whilst taking up a role as a director, Bloomfield agreed to briefly reprise the role in a cameo appearance to celebrate the show's 15th anniversary in May 2007.[4][5] In October 2009, it was announced yet again that Rachel would be returning to the show as a full-time cast member.[4][6]
Rachel arrived in early 1993 and forced her father Michael (Paul Gittins) to dump his young girlfriend. She became besotted by Stuart Neilson (Martin Henderson) and used a smitten Nick Harrison (Karl Burnett) to get closer to Stuart. She developed bulimia and dumped Stuart when she learnt he had slept with her mother Alex (Liddy Holloway). Angered by the arrival of her brother Jonathon (Kieren Hutchison) she spitefully revealed to Michael he was gay.
In 1994, annoyed by the arrival of her cousin Waverley (Claire Chitham), Rachel started to date Tim Cunnigham (Richard Vette) and befriended the pregnant Ramona (Ashleigh Seagar), however a spiteful Charlotte (Nicola Cliff) claimed Tim was the father of Ramona's baby and Rachel dumped him. In 1995 Rachel dated Manny Atutahi (Albert Belz) but dumped him for Rangi Heremaia (Blair Strang) and also married Nick in a protest on student loans. Her romance with Rangi didn't last and Rachel turned to drinking, nearly killing Rangi in the process. Her alcoholism saw Rachel nearly die in a pool and a car crash. Michael returned and helped Rachel overcome her addiction and she ended up getting hit by lightning. The lightning caused her to become temporarily infatuated with Nick with the two nearly sleeping together.
In 1998 She dated Frank (Christopher Hobbs) but dumped him for Matt McAllister (Roy Snow). She dumped him and dated Frank again before she decided to leave for America. Whilst overseas she married Matt. She returned two years later and got involved with Frank once again. However she dumped Frank when Matt returned but realized she wanted a divorce. She developed a crush on Chris (Michael Galvin) but took up with Jack (Manu Bennett) who kidnapped her and tried to marry her. Chris saved her and the two started a relationship. In 2002 Rachel again turned to alcohol and nearly died in an explosion, after she returned from rehab, Chris dumped her to be with Donna (Stephanie Tauevihi). She used her connections with Marj Neilson (Elizabeth McRae) to get a job in the government. She returned in 2007 engaged, and slept with Chris before leaving.
Rachel returned in October 2009 to audit the hospital. Declined by Chris for a relationship, Rachel again took up drinking and refused help from estranged husband Jeremy (Eryn Wilson). Passed out at the Christmas party, Kieran Mitchell (Adam Rickitt) used her state to his advantage and framed her for the hit and run death of Morgan Braithwaite(Bonnie Soper). Distraught, Rachel gave up drinking and dated Callum McKay (Peter Mochrie). However Rachel was proven innocent and Chris announced his love. As 2010 ended the two finally got together. Rachel stuggled to cope with family life and in 2011 slapped Chris' son Harry (Reid Walker).
The teenage Rachel was "bolshy" and vastly different from later appearances, being alot more selfish.[7] The character is known for her "sharp tongue" and "quick wit".[2] Bloomfield has stated that due to the characters personality being; "hostile, caustic and aggressive", it may it difficult to continuously play the role.[4] Rachel is known to cover "ethical storylines" over melodrama, something which Bloomfield believes leads Rachel to act like she does.[8] Bloomfield realized while at voice training, that she did not like Rachel as a person and would struggle to be friends with her in reality.[8] Producer Steven Zanoski described Rachel's personality as; "Independent, feisty and always quotable".[9] Rachel has been described as the person who; "says all those things you're too scared to say but you wish you could. She'll do it her way, thanks very much, and she doesn't suffer fools."[4] Upon her return in 2009, Rachel took on a more antagonistic role, being labelled a "villain".[10] Rachel has been described as a "glossy little rich bitch"[11] and a "bossy boots".[12]
Rachel has been labelled "Shortland Street's sexiest ever women"[4] and "popular".[3] The storyline where Rachel got nits was called "silly"[13] but received aclaim for its coverage of modern day problems and skill of the writers.[9] It was later named as one of the most iconic storylines to feature on the soap.[9] Bloomfield thought the scene where Rachel was hit by lightning was the most enjoyed scene by fans as it was "exciting".[14] Her catfight with Samara in 2001 has been remembered as a hugely iconic scene.[15][16] The storyline that saw Jack kidnap Rachel after having a relapse in his bipolar disorder saw huge complaints at the apparent stereotyping of the illness.[17] After crashing her car in the 2002 Christmas cliffhanger, a poll was taken to see what viewers wanted to happen to Rachel.[18] 100% of the voters hoped Rachel would survive and reek revenge on her cheating boyfriend, Chris Warner.[18] In 2002 she was listed as the 9th best character to ever feature on the soap.[19] In 2007 Rachel was the character fan's wanted to return the most in the Throng Shortland Street fan awards.[20] Rachel's return was praised in 2009, winning runner up for "Best thing to happen in 2009" in the Throng Shortland Street Fan Awards.[21] However due to the characters antagonistic characterisation, she was voted runner up for "Character you'd most like to get rid of".[21] In 2010 her relationships were criticized, winning runner up for "Worst Couple" for her relationship with Callum,[22] while her relationship with Chris was also criticized, being labelled "boring".[22]
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