Stuart Neilson
Encyclopedia
Stuart Neilson was a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera
Shortland Street
. He was portrayed by Martin Henderson
and was part of the original cast, with a lot of the first episode
focusing around him.
The character's three years on the soap exhibited several major storylines as well as social commentary on youth, religion and mental illness. Stuart was introduced alongside mother, Marj (Elizabeth McRae
) and father, Tom Neilson
(Adrian Keeling) and brothers, Darryl
(Mark Ferguson
) and Damien (Mark Ferguson) who appeared on sporadical stints and eldest brother Patrick (uncredited actor) who appeared for a single guest appearance.
The character was generally well received with Henderson winning the "Best Male Dramatic Performance in a Television Show" in the 1993 New Zealand Television and Film Awards. The character has since become iconic after leaving in 1995.
(Adrian Keeling) and his wife Marj (Elizabeth McRae
), a receptionist at Shortland Street
were horrified when their son Stuart claimed that he was the father of the baby that Hone
(Temuera Morrison
) had delivered. It was quickly revealed that Stuart's brother Darryl
(Mark Ferguson
) was the real father. Stuart was strongly Catholic and a virgin. He became friends with Miles Lucas but was shocked when Miles committed suicide shortly after Stuart's 17th birthday party. A saddened Stuart confided in Kirsty (Angela Dotchin
) and ended up losing his virginity.
In 1993, Stuart's father, Tom disappeared. Stuart was devastated by Tom's disappearance and renounced his Catholic faith and his plans to become a priest. He dropped out of his heavily religious school, much to the annoyance of the teachers and Marj. Stuart briefly had a fling with the middle aged Alex McKenna (Liddy Holloway
) but he truly fell for her daughter Rachel
(Angela Bloomfield
). The two broke up following Rachel's discovery of Stuart and Alex's past relationship. Tom returned wanting a kidney and Stuart offered to donate his, the blood type did not match however and Darryl ended up saving Tom, only for Tom to die of a heart attack. Stuart started to date Jo Jordan (Greer Robson
).
In 1994 Stuart started in the real estate business and soon took Jo's virginity. However, Stuart eventually falls in love with Rebecca Frost (Luisa Burgess) and dumps Jo, but does not succeed in dating Rebecca. At the end of the year, Darryl persuades Stuart to break up Kirsty and Lionel
's (John Leigh) wedding. In 1995 Stuart apologizes and skips town. He returns shortly after with teenage runaway, Lulu Chatfield (Meighan Desmond
). Lulu was fostered by Marj and her new husband Laurie (Chic Littlewood). Stuart then skipped town never to return. When he heard of Darryl's death, he refused to attend the funeral of a brother he despised.
was cast as Stuart, the teenage son of Marj and Tom
. The three characters (and several recurring brothers) were the start of, what was to become a long line of family units, followed closely by the McKenna family.
As the show was created, it was decided there was to be two heart throb teenage characters to draw in the young demographic, one was to be the sensible and polite Stuart and the other, the drug taking rebel Nick Harrison
. Stuart's character was written as that he would be revealed to be gay
during the shows first year, but TVNZ got cold feet when the other heart throb, Nick, did not turn out the way he was conceived and they did not want the show's major heart throb to be gay. However the show was already on air and the character of Stuart was already shown to be ignoring Kirsty Knight's affections. The writers decided to change the character from being gay to heavily religious.
was killed off shortly after Stuarts departure. Marj stayed with the show for another year before returning for guest appearances in 1998 and 2002.
. With the character being only 16, Stuart was shown as being vulnerable and easily led by his parents yet still retaining a courageous streak shown when Stuart claimed to be the father of a newborn baby however the audience soon learned that Stuart and his family were devoutly Catholic which meant Stuart was a virgin and was to remain so until marriage. Due to his mother working alongside Jenny Harrison
, Stuart became friendly with the slightly younger Nick Harrison
. Nick was classified as the slightly 'geeky' teen whilst Stuart was seen as broody and a bit of a thinker. The two got into trouble frequently together with Stuart beginning to tire of Nick's immaturity. Stuart was shown to have a soft spot for Kirsty
but was not interested in anything romantic. The audience learned the impact of teenage suicide when Stuart's friend Miles committed suicide following Stuart's 17th birthday party. Viewers were introduced to a new more defined Stuart as a result and he lost his virginity to Kirsty, a move he later regretted.
Stuart's strained relationship with manipulative brother Darryl
was often at the forefront of the show, with the baby Stuart had claimed ending up belonging to Darryl. Stuart later warned Kirsty off his adult brother but was still shocked when he heard Darryl had attempted to rape Kirsty. With this storyline, Stuart was once again represented as a forefront of the issue based rape storyline. In 1993, the 17 year old Stuart was shocked when Tom fled Ferndale with all the Neilson's money. The character of Stuart once again underwent a major revamp with Stuart renouncing his Catholic faith, dropping out of school and becoming an artist. A more rough image of Stuart is painted during this period with Stuart having a sexual relationship with the middle aged Alex McKenna, for the sole reason of furthering his career. However Stuart is shocked when Alex starts to refuse to see him and he subsequently starts to study fine arts at university. The previously celibate Stuart starts a sexual relationship with Alex's daughter Rachel
but after Stuart and Alex's affair is brought forward, Rachel dumped him and developed bulimia, with Stuart once again broadcasting key social commentary to the viewers. Stuart turns 18 and moves out of the house, leaving his past image of a naive innocent schoolboy behind. He begins dating the young and pure Jo Jordan. The two consummate their relationship in early 1994, with Stuart finally starting a serious relationship. However Stuart also begins to grow angry, anti social and begins to drink.
Stuart is shown to take finances into account and decides to quit being an artist. He found interest and employment in property management
and viewers were once again introduced to a new clean and mature Stuart, ditching his T-shirts for suits. This characterisation was criticized by reviewers, with claims that the writers were so caught up in the exciting story, they forgot Stuart's past personality and manipulated him into the storyline. Stuart again was thrust into the limelight of the show, teaching the audience the importance of finance and employment. In 1995 Stuart begins to show little compassion towards his family, ditching the country without a farewell and even refusing to return for Darryl's funeral due to the fact he despised him.
as the first teenager on the show. Henderson won the award for "Best Male Dramatic Performance in a Television Show" in the 1993 New Zealand Television and Film Awards.
The storyline that saw Stuart become involved in the property market was criticized by reviewers, with some claiming the writers were so intent on telling the story, they forgot the characters past personality and ignored his young age.
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...
. He was portrayed by Martin Henderson
Martin Henderson
Martin Henderson is a New Zealand actor, well known to American audiences for his starring role in the ABC TV series Off the Map, while remaining known in his home country for his teenage role as Stuart Neilson in the soap opera Shortland Street.-Life and career:Henderson was born in Auckland, New...
and was part of the original cast, with a lot of the first episode
Shortland Street Episode One
Episode 1 of the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, was first broadcast on 25 May 1992.-Storyline:The episode starts with paramedics Tom Neilson and Sam Aleni driving down a road with their siren on. Tom's wife Marjorie Neilson answers the phone and hears of a car crash involving a young...
focusing around him.
The character's three years on the soap exhibited several major storylines as well as social commentary on youth, religion and mental illness. Stuart was introduced alongside mother, Marj (Elizabeth McRae
Elizabeth McRae
Elizabeth McRae is a New Zealand actress, best known for her portrayal of Marjorie Brasch on the soap opera Shortland Street from 1992 until 1996 with further appearances in 1998 and 2002.Elizabeth's daughter Katherine is also an actress...
) and father, Tom Neilson
Tom Neilson
Tom Leslie Neilson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Part of the original cast, Tom was portrayed by Adrian Keeling from the shows first episode up until May the following year when the character starred in a high profile storyline where Tom went missing...
(Adrian Keeling) and brothers, Darryl
Darryl Neilson
Darryl Neilson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Darryl was portrayed by Mark Ferguson from 1992 to the characters death in 1995....
(Mark Ferguson
Mark Ferguson
Mark Ferguson is a New Zealand-based Australian actor and television presenter.-Biography:Ferguson was born in Sydney, Australia, in family of Scottish ancestry . He attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art and graduated in 1981...
) and Damien (Mark Ferguson) who appeared on sporadical stints and eldest brother Patrick (uncredited actor) who appeared for a single guest appearance.
The character was generally well received with Henderson winning the "Best Male Dramatic Performance in a Television Show" in the 1993 New Zealand Television and Film Awards. The character has since become iconic after leaving in 1995.
1992-1995
TomTom Neilson
Tom Leslie Neilson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Part of the original cast, Tom was portrayed by Adrian Keeling from the shows first episode up until May the following year when the character starred in a high profile storyline where Tom went missing...
(Adrian Keeling) and his wife Marj (Elizabeth McRae
Elizabeth McRae
Elizabeth McRae is a New Zealand actress, best known for her portrayal of Marjorie Brasch on the soap opera Shortland Street from 1992 until 1996 with further appearances in 1998 and 2002.Elizabeth's daughter Katherine is also an actress...
), a receptionist at Shortland Street
Shortland Street Hospital
Shortland Street Hospital is a fictional hospital which is the main setting for the TVNZ soap opera Shortland Street...
were horrified when their son Stuart claimed that he was the father of the baby that Hone
Hone Ropata
Hone Ropata was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and was part of the original cast. He was portrayed by Temuera Morrison who after the role went on to several Hollywood roles...
(Temuera Morrison
Temuera Morrison
Temuera Derek Morrison is a New Zealand-born actor. He has become one of the country's most famous stars for his roles as the abusive Jake "the Muss" Heke in 1994's Once Were Warriors and as bounty hunter Jango Fett and the Clone Troopers in the Star Wars series...
) had delivered. It was quickly revealed that Stuart's brother Darryl
Darryl Neilson
Darryl Neilson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Darryl was portrayed by Mark Ferguson from 1992 to the characters death in 1995....
(Mark Ferguson
Mark Ferguson
Mark Ferguson is a New Zealand-based Australian actor and television presenter.-Biography:Ferguson was born in Sydney, Australia, in family of Scottish ancestry . He attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art and graduated in 1981...
) was the real father. Stuart was strongly Catholic and a virgin. He became friends with Miles Lucas but was shocked when Miles committed suicide shortly after Stuart's 17th birthday party. A saddened Stuart confided in Kirsty (Angela Dotchin
Angela Dotchin
-External links:...
) and ended up losing his virginity.
In 1993, Stuart's father, Tom disappeared. Stuart was devastated by Tom's disappearance and renounced his Catholic faith and his plans to become a priest. He dropped out of his heavily religious school, much to the annoyance of the teachers and Marj. Stuart briefly had a fling with the middle aged Alex McKenna (Liddy Holloway
Liddy Holloway
Elizabeth Brenda "Liddy" Holloway was a New Zealand actress.Born in Wellington, New Zealand, the daughter of a politician, Phil Holloway, Liddy Holloway originally worked as a journalist. She switched to acting and had a long career in the theater...
) but he truly fell for her daughter Rachel
Rachel McKenna
Rachel McKenna is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Angela Bloomfield. Rachel first appeared on the show from 1993 to 1999. Then from 2001 to 2003. Rachel then made a very brief appearance in 2007 before returning as a core cast member in October 2009...
(Angela Bloomfield
Angela Bloomfield
-Career:She starred in Shortland Street for nine years, transforming Rachel McKenna from the school girl daughter of clinic boss into a university student, bar manager and later, a Shortland Street clinic employee....
). The two broke up following Rachel's discovery of Stuart and Alex's past relationship. Tom returned wanting a kidney and Stuart offered to donate his, the blood type did not match however and Darryl ended up saving Tom, only for Tom to die of a heart attack. Stuart started to date Jo Jordan (Greer Robson
Greer Robson
Greer Robson-Kirk born is a New Zealand television actress well known for her role in the Television Drama, Shortland Street.-Biography:...
).
In 1994 Stuart started in the real estate business and soon took Jo's virginity. However, Stuart eventually falls in love with Rebecca Frost (Luisa Burgess) and dumps Jo, but does not succeed in dating Rebecca. At the end of the year, Darryl persuades Stuart to break up Kirsty and Lionel
Lionel Skeggins
Lionel Skeggins was a fictional character on the TVNZ soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by John Leigh and after making his debut as a guest character in 1993, he returned from 1994 to the character's disappearance in 1999 as a core cast member....
's (John Leigh) wedding. In 1995 Stuart apologizes and skips town. He returns shortly after with teenage runaway, Lulu Chatfield (Meighan Desmond
Meighan Desmond
Meighan Desmond is an actress, best known by her role as the Greek goddess Discord on the popular American TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and on its two spin-offs – Xena: Warrior Princess and Young Hercules.Desmond also worked as a personal assistant to Ted Raimi during his final...
). Lulu was fostered by Marj and her new husband Laurie (Chic Littlewood). Stuart then skipped town never to return. When he heard of Darryl's death, he refused to attend the funeral of a brother he despised.
Creation and Casting
Martin HendersonMartin Henderson
Martin Henderson is a New Zealand actor, well known to American audiences for his starring role in the ABC TV series Off the Map, while remaining known in his home country for his teenage role as Stuart Neilson in the soap opera Shortland Street.-Life and career:Henderson was born in Auckland, New...
was cast as Stuart, the teenage son of Marj and Tom
Tom Neilson
Tom Leslie Neilson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Part of the original cast, Tom was portrayed by Adrian Keeling from the shows first episode up until May the following year when the character starred in a high profile storyline where Tom went missing...
. The three characters (and several recurring brothers) were the start of, what was to become a long line of family units, followed closely by the McKenna family.
As the show was created, it was decided there was to be two heart throb teenage characters to draw in the young demographic, one was to be the sensible and polite Stuart and the other, the drug taking rebel Nick Harrison
Nick Harrison
Nick Harrison was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Karl Burnett and was the longest running original cast member on the show first appearing in 1992 and running for 13 years until 2005....
. Stuart's character was written as that he would be revealed to be gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
during the shows first year, but TVNZ got cold feet when the other heart throb, Nick, did not turn out the way he was conceived and they did not want the show's major heart throb to be gay. However the show was already on air and the character of Stuart was already shown to be ignoring Kirsty Knight's affections. The writers decided to change the character from being gay to heavily religious.
Departure
In late 1994 it was rumoured Stuart would be departing the show in early 1995, when he marries Kirsty and runs off, in January 1995 it was again rumoured that Stuart was leaving the show, this time to go become a priest. After appearing on the show for three years, Henderson became increasingly dissatisfied with Stuart's storylines and felt the character was becoming one dimensional, he left the role and moved to Australia. The characters father Tom, had been killed off in 1993 and brother, DarrylDarryl Neilson
Darryl Neilson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Darryl was portrayed by Mark Ferguson from 1992 to the characters death in 1995....
was killed off shortly after Stuarts departure. Marj stayed with the show for another year before returning for guest appearances in 1998 and 2002.
Storyline development
Stuart's three years on Shortland Street saw the character go through numerous changes that helped bring teenage life, religion and social commentary to the show. Upon arrival Stuart was described as "a young innocent who caught the eyes of several female cast members". His original role in the show was the naive but smart teenage son of receptionist Marj and paramedic Tom NeilsonTom Neilson
Tom Leslie Neilson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Part of the original cast, Tom was portrayed by Adrian Keeling from the shows first episode up until May the following year when the character starred in a high profile storyline where Tom went missing...
. With the character being only 16, Stuart was shown as being vulnerable and easily led by his parents yet still retaining a courageous streak shown when Stuart claimed to be the father of a newborn baby however the audience soon learned that Stuart and his family were devoutly Catholic which meant Stuart was a virgin and was to remain so until marriage. Due to his mother working alongside Jenny Harrison
Jenny Harrison (character)
Jenny Harrison was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Maggie Harper and was part of the original cast.-Creation:...
, Stuart became friendly with the slightly younger Nick Harrison
Nick Harrison
Nick Harrison was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Karl Burnett and was the longest running original cast member on the show first appearing in 1992 and running for 13 years until 2005....
. Nick was classified as the slightly 'geeky' teen whilst Stuart was seen as broody and a bit of a thinker. The two got into trouble frequently together with Stuart beginning to tire of Nick's immaturity. Stuart was shown to have a soft spot for Kirsty
Kirsty Knight (character)
Kirsty Knight is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and was portrayed by Angela Dotchin as part of the 1992 original cast up until 1998....
but was not interested in anything romantic. The audience learned the impact of teenage suicide when Stuart's friend Miles committed suicide following Stuart's 17th birthday party. Viewers were introduced to a new more defined Stuart as a result and he lost his virginity to Kirsty, a move he later regretted.
Stuart's strained relationship with manipulative brother Darryl
Darryl Neilson
Darryl Neilson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Darryl was portrayed by Mark Ferguson from 1992 to the characters death in 1995....
was often at the forefront of the show, with the baby Stuart had claimed ending up belonging to Darryl. Stuart later warned Kirsty off his adult brother but was still shocked when he heard Darryl had attempted to rape Kirsty. With this storyline, Stuart was once again represented as a forefront of the issue based rape storyline. In 1993, the 17 year old Stuart was shocked when Tom fled Ferndale with all the Neilson's money. The character of Stuart once again underwent a major revamp with Stuart renouncing his Catholic faith, dropping out of school and becoming an artist. A more rough image of Stuart is painted during this period with Stuart having a sexual relationship with the middle aged Alex McKenna, for the sole reason of furthering his career. However Stuart is shocked when Alex starts to refuse to see him and he subsequently starts to study fine arts at university. The previously celibate Stuart starts a sexual relationship with Alex's daughter Rachel
Rachel McKenna
Rachel McKenna is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Angela Bloomfield. Rachel first appeared on the show from 1993 to 1999. Then from 2001 to 2003. Rachel then made a very brief appearance in 2007 before returning as a core cast member in October 2009...
but after Stuart and Alex's affair is brought forward, Rachel dumped him and developed bulimia, with Stuart once again broadcasting key social commentary to the viewers. Stuart turns 18 and moves out of the house, leaving his past image of a naive innocent schoolboy behind. He begins dating the young and pure Jo Jordan. The two consummate their relationship in early 1994, with Stuart finally starting a serious relationship. However Stuart also begins to grow angry, anti social and begins to drink.
Stuart is shown to take finances into account and decides to quit being an artist. He found interest and employment in property management
Property management
Property management is the operation, control of ususally on behalf of an owner, and oversight of commercial, industrial or residential real estate as used in its most broad terms. Management indicates a need to be cared for, monitored and accountability given for its usable life and condition...
and viewers were once again introduced to a new clean and mature Stuart, ditching his T-shirts for suits. This characterisation was criticized by reviewers, with claims that the writers were so caught up in the exciting story, they forgot Stuart's past personality and manipulated him into the storyline. Stuart again was thrust into the limelight of the show, teaching the audience the importance of finance and employment. In 1995 Stuart begins to show little compassion towards his family, ditching the country without a farewell and even refusing to return for Darryl's funeral due to the fact he despised him.
Reception
The character picked up a "heartthrob" status and remains well known to viewers of Shortland StreetShortland 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...
as the first teenager on the show. Henderson won the award for "Best Male Dramatic Performance in a Television Show" in the 1993 New Zealand Television and Film Awards.
The storyline that saw Stuart become involved in the property market was criticized by reviewers, with some claiming the writers were so intent on telling the story, they forgot the characters past personality and ignored his young age.