A New Zealand medical soap that once featured a popular British star in a cameo appearance will air in the UK for the first time.
Shortland Street first broadcast in New Zealand back in 1992 and is the country’s longest-running soap.
Starring Michael Galvin as Dr Chris Warner, the show is based in Shortland Street Hospital and follows staff and their daily dramas.
Nicknamed Shorty by fans, a new drama is set to premiere on STV Player starting on February 17, making its debut in the UK after 33 years of being broadcasted internationally. Viewers can look forward to three episodes airing every Monday.
Ed Sheeran made a cameo appearance on Shortland Street in 2014, shortly before his album, X, launched.
His brief feature on the show saw the singer enter the IV bar in Ferndale and speak with Kane Jenkins, played by KJ Apa.
Shortland Street first broadcast in New Zealand back in 1992 and is the country’s longest-running soap
Starring Michael Galvin as Dr Chris Warner, second left, the show is based in Shortland Street Hospital and follows staff and their daily dramas
This year, the show has undergone a transformation for its new series, introducing fresh characters and storylines that are sure to captivate UK audiences.
New episodes will air in line with New Zealand broadcasts, meaning fans across the ocean can connect over the soap.
Michael Galvin, who plays Dr Chris Warner, said: ‘Kia ora, UK! I’m absolutely thrilled to hear that Shortland Street is coming to your shores.
‘This little show of ours has become such a huge part of the culture here in New Zealand over the last 33 years, and to know that it’s now going to be part of the British soap landscape alongside legendary shows like Coronation Street and Emmerdale is a real honor,’ expressed the creators.
‘Strap yourselves in, because if there’s one thing I can tell you about Shorty, it’s that drama is never more than a heartbeat away…’
It comes after another long-standing medical drama, Doctors, was axed from UK screens last year.
Ed Sheeran during his cameo appearance on Shortland Street in 2014
The show has been transformed for a new series this year which will include some new characters and dramas, perfect for UK viewers to dive right into
New episodes will air in line with New Zealand broadcasts meaning fans across the ocean can connect over the soap
Revealing the news in a statement, the BBC said: ‘We have taken the very difficult decision to bring daytime drama Doctors to an end after 23 years.
‘With super inflation in drama production, the cost of the programme has increased significantly, and further investment is also now required to refurbish the site where the show is made, or to relocate it to another home.
‘With a flat licence-fee, the BBC’s funding challenges mean we have to make tough choices in order to deliver greater value to audiences.
‘We remain fully committed to the West Midlands and all of the funding for Doctors will be reinvested into new programming in the region.
‘We would like to thank all the Doctors cast and crew who have been involved in the show since 2000.
‘We know the crucial role Doctors has played in nurturing talent, and we will work to develop new opportunities to support skills in scripted programming.
Michael Galvin, pictured, said he was ‘thrilled’ the show would be airing in the UK
‘The final episode will screen in December 2024 and we are working closely with BBC Studios to give it the finale it deserves.’
Doctors first debuted in its famous lunchtime slot in 2000.
Cast and crew were thrilled in February 2022 when bosses promoted it to a primetime slot on BBC Two after axing Holby City.
However, ratings failed to improve, and after just eight weeks the soap was moved back to its usual lunchtime scheduling.
Shortland Street launches on STV Player on February 17.
