A HUGE soap will make its debut in the UK for the first time today after 33 years on air.
One of the stars from Coronation Street has also teamed up with one of the actors from the show to officially launch the serial drama.
Shortland Street is the longest-running drama in New Zealand and it will be available for UK viewers to watch from today on STV Player.
The streaming service is the first in the UK to air brand new episodes of the soap in line with the down under broadcast.
It first made its debut on television screens in 1992 and has aired continuously on New Zealand’s state broadcaster, TVNZ ever since.
Michael Galvin, 57, is the longest serving actor on the show, playing the role of Dr Chris Warner.
He appeared as the character in the first episode of the show and has celebrated the launch in a unique way.
He teamed up with Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney for an exciting new interview.
Claire – who plays Cassie Plummer on the cobbles – is also known for her role as Lindsey Corkhill in Brookside.
The Liverpool soap was revived by STV Player in 2023, with five classic episodes added to the service every Wednesday.
In their chat, Michael explained how the long-running drama has become so popular down under due to its issue based storylines.
“Our writers, over the decades, have always taken very seriously the idea of trying to keep it current, so they’re always on the lookout for the issues that people are concerned about,” he told Claire.
The star continued: “The other thing about Shortland Street is that, unlike the UK, it’s kind of the only drama that’s always there.
“Sometimes, depending on our industry, it’s literally the only TV show being made in New Zealand, so I think the writers feel a responsibility and obligation to make sure that everything is reflected.”
Shortland Street is focused on the staff who work at the eponymous hospital in the fictional Auckland suburb of Ferndale.
The show follows all the drama they come to face on a day-to-day basis, both in their professional and their personal lives.
Dozens of stars who have gone onto international success have used the show as a training ground.
This includes Jojo Rabbit star Thomasin McKenzie, Riverdale‘s KJ Apa and Star Trek personality Karl Urban.
Well established stars have also popped into the hospital for a cameo such as Ed Sheeran in 2014 and US talk show host Conan O’Brien last year.
Three new episodes of Shortland Street land on STV Player every Monday.
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