Favourites come back to Shorty Street
So, Shortland Street favourites Nick and Waverley are being brought back to help celebrate Shortland Street’s 25th anniversary.
The feature-length episode screening on May 25 will star the couple who are returning to the show after a 12-year absence.
Although we do not know if any other former stars of the show will make an appearance, there are certainly a few faces we’d love to see again.
1. Temuera Morrison aka Hone Ropata
‘‘You’re not in Guatemala now, Dr Ropata’’ is not only the most iconic line of Shortland Street but possibly the most iconic line of the New Zealand entertainment business.
Despite a three-year stint, Ropata made Morrison a household name and went on to star in the likes of the iconic Star Wars. I vote Dr Ropata comes back wielding a light saber just for fun.
2. John Leigh aka Lionel Skeggins Ah, who can forget Lionel. His love story with Kirsty Knight was one of fairytales, until of course she got amnesia. To this day it has not been confirmed whether the muffin man died after being swept off to sea. Although Kirsty moved on, I think the 25th anniversary episode would be the perfect chance for a Lionel/Kirsty reunion.
3. Robyn Malcolm aka Ellen Crozier
According to Wikipedia, Malcolm credits Shortland Street as the highlight of her career.
I find it hard to believe not only because I read it on Wikipedia but also because this is the same woman that played the iconic Cheryl West. However if it is indeed true, it is only fitting that Malcolm returns to the place where it all started for her.
4. Johnny Barker aka Joey ‘‘The Ferndale Strangler’’ Henderson
Talk about the best whodunnit storyline in Shortland Street history. Who is the Ferndale Strangler was the question on everyone’s mind, including my 13 year-old self. Although technically Joey ‘‘died’’, I feel like Shortland Street should make an exception and him back as a ghost.
5. Paul Gittens aka Dr Michael McKenna
If we are making exceptions for dead Shortland Street characters, we should probably make one for Michael McKenna. McKenna died following several heart attacks in 1999, meaning he has been dead for almost 20 years. But not only was this man father to one of the longest recurring characters, Rachel, he was like a father to a whole generation of fans. Perhaps some sort of god-like apparition role would be fitting for Gittens. 6. KJ Apa aka Kane Jenkins Starring on Shortland Street has been the starting point for a lot of New Zealand’s most famous actors. And our ol’ mate Apa is no different, shooting straight from the streets of Ferndale to Hollywood as the new star of Riverdale. While you are at it KJ, would you mind bringing Ed Sheeran back with you too?
7. Karl Urban aka Jaime Forrest
At the tender age of 21, Urban graced our screens as paramedic Jamie Forrest.
Forrest was Shortland Street’s first openly gay character. something that was very controversial in 1993. Given how far we have come since then, it would be great for Forrest to meet the shows first transgender character Blue Nathan.
8. Harry McNaughton aka Gerald Tippett
If there was one person who made Shortland Street considerably more enjoyable, it was Gerald.
The flamboyant character who wasn’t really sure which team he batted for, was always there to provide a bit of comic relief. Tippett returned to Shortland Street in 2012 with ‘‘wife’’ Libby Jeffries played by Fleur Saville. The hospital just hasn’t been the same since the pair left.
9. Elizabeth McRae aka Marjorie Brasch
Marj, Marj, Marj, oh how we have missed you.
McRae was a part of the original cast, featuring as Shortland Street’s first ever receptionist. The coveted role has since been held by many a different actor but no one will ever do it like Marj did. Brasch left the show in 1996 to become a politician so being that she is still alive in the world of Ferndale, there is no reason she shouldn’t come back.
10. Martin Henderson aka Stuart Neilson
It is hard to believe that once upon a time Henderson wasn’t always a Hollywood hotshot.
In the 90s, Henderson was just a local heart throb on a little New Zealand show called Shortland Street. Henderson played Stuart Neilson, the son of Marj Brasch, who stuck around for three years before moving to India. The actor hasn’t strayed too far from his hospital drama roots, now starring as Dr Nathan Rigg on Greys Anatomy. Henderson is currently back in Auckland so we can only hope it is for a short stint on Shortland Street.