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List of Shortland Street characters introduced in 1994

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The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street in 1994, by order of first appearance.

Marilyn Bluck

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Marilyn Bluck
Shortland Street character
Portrayed byDonna Akersten
Duration1994, 1995–96
First appearance19 January 1994
Last appearanceJanuary 1996
ClassificationFormer; recurring
Introduced byTony Holden (1994)
Gravin Strawhan (1995)
In-universe information
OccupationReceptionist at Shortland Street
HusbandIan Harrison
NephewsNick Harrison

Marilyn Bluck (previously Harrison) was the overbearing sister in law to Jenny Harrison (Maggie Harper). Introduced at the start of 1994 as an emergency temp receptionist, Marilyn soon got under the skin of the staff by getting names wrong, changing processes, and disturbing doctors in person to see if they were available to take phone calls - as she didn’t want to disturb them by simply transferring the calls. Jenny felt there was a conflict of interest in managing Marilyn’s eccentricities, as Jenny owed her life to Marilyn. It was soon revealed that Marilyn was responsible for rescuing Jenny from her abusive marriage, taking Jenny and a young Nick to her (Dargaville) home after a hospitalisation following an assault. However, Marilyn’s husband Ian saw this as a betrayal, failing to believe his brother would be abusive towards Jenny and cost Marilyn her own marriage.

Soon after arriving in Ferndale, Marilyn tried to steal Laurie (Chic Littlewood) from Marj (Elizabeth McRae and soon tried to steal Marj’s room and job permanently. Marilyn wore her heart in her sleeve, and motivated sales person - hosting a successful lingerie party for the female staff, sparking Kirsty’s entrepreneurial spirit and inadvertently was the catalyst for inspiring (Stuart Neilson) by directing them to a self-help guru. Despite picking up work at the cafe, Marilyn soon left for Dargaville - realising she had burned many bridges in her short time in Ferndale and not wanting to stand in the way of Marj and Laurie’s happiness.

She returned in 1995 and again worked at reception. However the traumatizing truck crash saw Marilyn pack her things and leave the clinic for good. Her nickname from her colleagues at the clinic was "Motormouth Marilyn"

Simon Hilton-Jones

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Simon Hilton-Jones
Shortland Street character
Portrayed byJohn Wraight
Duration1994
First appearance1 February 1994
Last appearance7 February 1994
ClassificationFormer; guest
Introduced byTony Holden
In-universe information
OccupationDoctor at Shortland Street

Dr. Simon Hilton-Jones was the hippy doctor abruptly hired to replace murderer - Katherine Blake (Magaret Umbers). Simon was the youngest of the Hilton-Jones family, and whose father held a position on the medical council. Simon proved unpopular with the staff due to his poor time management and apparent lack of interest in prescribing medication or taking comprehensive histories. Though inspirational to the young Jonathon McKenna (Kieren Hutchison). CEO - Michael (Paul Gittins) reluctantly decided to let Simon go, but not before he shred a few words of wisdom to Jonathon, something that inspired him to become a doctor.

Greg Feeney

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Greg Feeney was the drug dealing step brother of Carmen Roberts (Theresa Healey) and potential love interest for Kirsty Knight (Angela Dotchin). The character was portrayed by Tim Balme for numerous stints up until 2000.

Grace Kwan

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Dr. Grace Kwan first appeared in early 1994 portrayed by Lynette Forday. She departed in 1997 before returning 16 years later in a recurring role.

Charlotte Olsen

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Charlotte Olsen
Shortland Street character
Portrayed byNicola Cliff
Duration1994, 1995, 1996
First appearance1 March 1994
Last appearance1996
ClassificationFormer; recurring
Introduced byTony Holden
In-universe information
First cousinsGretchen Olsen

Charlotte Olsen was the head girl of Ferndale high and nemesis of Rachel McKenna (Angela Bloomfield). She also clashed with Nick Harrison (Karl Burnett) and had him removed from his prefect position. Charlotte grew jealous when Rachel started to date her crush – Tim Cunningham (Richard Vette) and successfully broke the two up.

Ellen Crozier

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Ellen Crozier was portrayed by Robyn Malcolm for nearly 6 years. She proved to be one of the show's most successful and well received characters.

Minnie Crozier

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Minnie Crozier was the teenage daughter of Ellen (Robyn Malcolm), who often found herself in challenging and dangerous relationships. She was portrayed by Katrina Devine for 7 years before she was axed as part of a cast overhaul.

Johnny Marinovich

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Johnny Marinovich
Shortland Street character
Portrayed byStelios Yiakmis
Duration1994–98
First appearance9 April 1994
Last appearanceAugust 1998
ClassificationFormer; regular
Introduced byTony Holden
In-universe information
FatherDavor Marinovich (previously Petrovich)
MotherSally Marinovich
WifeEllen Crozier (1989–1996)
Tiffany Pratt (1998)
SonsBradley Kearney
DaughtersHannah Lomax
Maria Marinovich

Dr. Johnny Marinovich was introduced as the often mentioned husband of new character Ellen Crozier (Robyn Malcolm). Before Yiakmis was cast, another actor had won the role but had dropped out. Yiakmis signed on to an initial 3 weeks, before being extended to 3 months. His contract was then extended to a further 6 months before he ended up becoming a core cast member.[1] Johnny arrived to Ferndale in early 1994 but his marriage broke up when Ellen discovered Johnny had fathered a daughter through an affair many years beforehand. Johnny was tempted to get back with Ellen but when she had an affair he started a relationship with Jenny (Maggie Harper), who fell pregnant. Johnny would struggle to cope with the news that his father Davor (Bill Johnson) was a Nazi war criminal after being discovered by Ruth Brasch, (Joanne Briant) and his father's brain damaged state after an attempt at suicide. Following Jenny's abortion, Johnny started an affair with Ellen but returned to Jenny when she developed cancer. When Jenny suggested marriage, Johnny left her. He had a brief affair with teenager Ramona Derby (Ashleigh Seagar) and another with widow Julia Thornton (Elizabeth Hawthorne). Johnny had an affair with Isobel Kearney (Jennifer Ward-Lealand) and she became pregnant shortly before Johnny began to date Tiffany Warner (Alison James). The two married in 1998 and Tiffany also fell pregnant however she fell from a building and died. The baby was saved and Johnny ended up leaving with his daughter.

Rebecca Frost

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Rebecca Frost
Shortland Street character
Portrayed byLuisa Burgess
Duration1994–97
First appearance13 April 1994
Last appearance26 April 1997
ClassificationFormer; regular
Introduced byTony Holden
In-universe information
SistersJanet Frost

Rebecca Frost appeared as a regular character for 3 years. She arrived as the paramedic partner of Sam Aleni (Rene Naufahu) but ended up becoming Chris Warner's (Michael Galvin) nurse after his paralyzing car accident. It soon turned out Rebecca was out for revenge after Chris played around her sister. The two made up for their differences and began to date, much to the angst of Stuart Neilson (Martin Henderson) who loved Rebecca. Rebecca was hired at the hospital and left Chris for Manny Atutahi (Albert Belz). The relationship was short lived and Rebecca's heart valve started to fail, causing her to become a born again Christian. She briefly dated Erik van der Molen (Peter Daube) before finally getting heart surgery. Rebecca had a short term relationship with Kane Taiaroa (Joe Folau) before she began dating Rangi. In 1997 Rangi and Rebecca became engaged only for Rebecca to pass out and die moments later, with her death being blamed on a faulty heart valve she had received years beforehand.

Annie Flynn

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Annie Flynn
Shortland Street character
Portrayed byRebecca Hobbs
Duration1994
First appearance12 May 1994
Last appearance28 July 1994
ClassificationFormer; recurring
Introduced byTony Holden

Annie Flynn first appeared in May 1994. She was hired at the hospital and shocked Guy Warner (Craig Parker) as the two were previously an item before she left him for a woman. Annie became attracted to the recently returned Meredith (Stephanie Wilkin) and after initial hesitation on Meredith's behalf, the two became an item. They departed together for Dunedin in July.

Tim Cunningham

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Tim Cunningham
Shortland Street character
Portrayed byRichard Vette
Duration1994
First appearance22 June 1994
Last appearance15 November 1994
ClassificationFormer; recurring
Introduced byTony Holden
In-universe information
DaughtersLucy Derby

Tim Cunningham was the head boy of Ferndale high school. Rachel McKenna's (Angela Bloomfield) rival Charlotte (Nicola Cliff) had a crush on Tim and as a result Rachel started dating him to spite her. However Rachel fell in love with Tim and was devastated when he broke up with her when Minnie (Katrina Devine) revealed Rachel's plan. The two eventually reconciled but Rachel was shocked to learn Tim was the father of Ramona's (Ashleigh Seagar) baby and was refusing to offer support. The two broke up.

Ruth Brasch

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Ruth Brasch
Shortland Street character
Portrayed byJoanna Briant
Duration1994, 1995
First appearance5 September 1994
Last appearanceJuly 1995
ClassificationFormer; recurring
Introduced byGavin Strawhan
In-universe information
FatherLaurie Brasch
StepmotherMarj Brasch
SistersSally Brasch
Sarah Brasch

Ruth Brasch was the daughter of Marj's (Elizabeth McRae) fiancé Laurie Brasch (Chic Littlewood). Ruth was shocked to meet her fathers lover and opposed to the twos marriage. However Marj eventually talked Ruth around to the union and she attended the ceremony. Ruth returned the following year and began to manage the local bar. She started to date Rangi Heremaia (Blair Strang) however the revelation that she had been molested by her uncle saw Ruth depart in July.

Ramona Derby

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Ramona Derby
Shortland Street character
Portrayed byAshleigh Seagar
Duration1994–96
First appearance4 November 1994
Last appearance26 March 1996
ClassificationFormer; regular
Introduced byGavin Strawhan
In-universe information
DaughtersLucy Derby

Ramona Derby appeared for 16 months between 1994 and 1996. Ramona attended the same school as Rachel McKenna (Angela Bloomfield) and was a shoo-in for dux of the school. However, when Ramona discovered she was pregnant, the school refused her the position. It was soon revealed that the father of Ramona's child was Rachel's boyfriend Tim Cunningham (Richard Vette). Nonetheless the two remained friends and in 1995 Ramona gave birth to her daughter Lucy. She began to date Nick Harrison (Karl Burnett) but disaster struck at Christmas time when Nick misplaced Lucy. Upon the baby's recovery, Ramona split from Nick and began to date older man – Johnny Marinovich (Stelios Yiakmis). The affair was short and Ramona ended up leaving Ferndale shortly into the new year.

Vic Roberts

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Vic Roberts
Shortland Street character
Portrayed byUnknown
Duration1994
First appearance25 November 1994
Last appearance1994
ClassificationFormer; recurring
Introduced byTony Holden
In-universe information
OccupationPriest
WifePauline Roberts (until 1974)
DaughtersCarmen Roberts
StepsonsGreg Feeney
GranddaughtersTuesday Warner

Vic Roberts appeared in a single guest stint throughout November. He was Carmen Roberts' (Theresa Healey)'s sluggish father who was after the money she had won in the lottery. Guy Warner (Craig Parker) eventually paid Vic to leave Carmen's life and never return.

Manny Atutahi

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Manny Atutahi
Shortland Street character
Portrayed byAlbert Belz
Duration1994–95
First appearance29 November 1994
Last appearance1995
ClassificationFormer; recurring
Introduced byTony Holden
In-universe information
MotherAorewa Atutahi
UnclesHone Ropata

Hamana "Manny" Atutahi first appeared in late 1994 as the nephew of established character, Hone Ropata (Temuera Morrison). Manny arrived to stay with Hone and despite attracting Rebecca Frost (Luisa Burgess), Manny fell in with the criminal underworld and after landing in hospital, Hone accidentally killed Manny's attacker with a punch. Manny dated Rebecca but left her for Rachel McKenna (Angela Bloomfield). When Rachel was harassed by her university lecturer, Manny viciously attacked him and was sent to prison for assault. Rachel left Manny for Rangi (Blair Strang), resulting in an increasingly violent Manny stabbing him when he came to visit. When Rachel learned of the attack, she disowned Manny forever.

Linda Corrine

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Priest Corrine
Shortland Street character
Portrayed byShirley Duke
Duration1994–95, 2009, 2010, 2012
First appearance23 December 1994
Last appearance14 December 2012
ClassificationFormer; guest
Introduced byTony Holden (1994)
Steven Zanoski (2009, 2010, 2012)
In-universe information
OccupationPriest

Linda Corrine1 was portrayed by Shirley Duke in guest roles from 1994 to 1995, 2009 and 2010. She was the priest who was the celebrant at Kirsty Knight (Angela Dotchin) and Lionel Skeggins (John Leigh) wedding. When Stuart Neilson (Martin Henderson) interrupted the marriage, the wedding was cancelled but Priest Corrine married the two later that evening on their houseboat. Priest Corrine returned 14 years later when she married Morgan Braithwaite (Bonnie Soper) and Gerald Tippett (Harry McNaughton) during a supposed rehearsal. She returned a year later as the celebrant for Sophie McKay (Kimberley Crossman) and Kieran Mitchell's (Adam Rickitt) wedding which again was gatecrashed and cancelled. In 2012 Corrine acted as the minister for Luke Durville (Gerald Urquhart) and Bella Cooper's (Amelia Reid) wedding.

Wilbur Skeggins

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Wilbur Skeggins
Shortland Street character
Portrayed byUncredited (1994)
Ian Mune (1997)
Duration1994, 1997
First appearance23 December 1994
Last appearance18 December 1997
ClassificationFormer; recurring
Introduced byGavin Strawhan (1994)
Simon Bennett (1997)
In-universe information
WifeAngelina Skeggins (1997—)
SonsLionel Skeggins
GrandsonsLuke Billingham

Wilbur Skeggins made an uncredited guest appearance in the infamous 1994 cliffhanger where he attended his son, Lionel's (John Leigh) wedding to Kirsty Knight (Angela Dotchin). Wilbur visited his son in 1997 and later in the year, Lionel traveled to Wellington after hearing Wilbur had suffered a heart attack. Though it turned out that Wilbur had been faking illness in a bid to win back his "mail order" wife - Angelina (Geeling Ng). Upon discovering the news, Lionel and Kirsty returned to Ferndale however the small plane they were traveling in failed and the two were involved in a dramatic plane crash.

Notes

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  • ^Note 1 Linda Corrine was credited as "Priest Corrine" in her appearances in both 1994 and 1995, whilst being credited as "Celebrant" in 2009, 2010 and 2012. She was given the name "Linda" through dialogue in March 2010.

References

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  1. ^ Whiteside, Andrew (18 March 2013). "Stelios Yiakmis: From heart-throb to bad guy …". NZ On Screen. NZ On Air.