Guy Warner

Last updated
Guy Warner
Shortland Street character
Guy Warner 1993.jpg
Portrayed by Craig Parker
Duration1992–1996, 2007–2008, 2020, 2023
First appearance27 October 1992
Last appearance23 January 2023
Classification Former; regular
Introduced by Caterina De Nave (1992)
Brian Lenanne (1993)
Jason Daniel (2007)
Oliver Driver (2020, 2023)
In-universe information
Occupation Social Worker at Shortland Street clinic (1993–96)
Self help guru
Author
Father Sir Bruce Warner
Adoptive mother Margot, Lady Warner
Half-brothers Chris Warner
Half-sisters Amanda Warner
Daughters Tuesday Warner
Nephews Frank Warner
Finn Warner
Phoenix Warner
Harry Warner
James Warner
Nieces Sass Warner
Trinity Kwan

Guy Warner is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by Craig Parker in a guest role in 1992 before returning as core cast from 1993 to 1996. Guy returned for the shows 15th anniversary in May 2007 and again from December 2007 to April 2008.

Contents

Creation and casting

Craig Parker was cast as the role of Guy - Chris Warner's (Michael Galvin) brother, in 1992, [1] a role he maintained for 4 years, [1] before quitting and filming his final scenes in March 1996. [2] Both Warner brothers made their last appearance in an episode written by Steven Zanoski that aired in May that year. [3] Originally this was going to be the start of the series ultimate ending, however the show continued to renew and ended up ongoing. [3] The character of Guy was not killed off so that producers could allow him to return. [2] In May 2007 it was announced that Guy would be returning as part of the shows 15th anniversary. [4] [5] Parker revealed that he originally turned down the role, but after learning of his storylines and the development of the Tuesday character, he agreed to return in a more antagonistic role, [6] he stated; "Working with Michael [Galvin] again and Laura [Hill] (Toni Warner), who I haven't worked with before, I knew it would be great fun." [7] Guy reappeared for a scene via Zoom video calling in the show's final episode of 2020. [8] Parker filmed his scenes through a video call from his Los Angeles home. [9]

Storylines

Guy arrived in town in late 1992 and had a one-night stand with Meredith (Stephanie Wilkin) much to the annoyance of older brother, Chris (Michael Galvin) who had been courting her. Guy flirted with Chris' ex fiancé - Alison (Danielle Cormack) and departed. He returned early the following year as the clinic's new social worker and got together with Meredith. The two appeared to share a loving relationship, raising Meredith's young son. However the clinic staff were shocked when it was revealed Guy had a mistress, older women - Jenny (Maggie Harper). Meredith ended the relationship. Guy briefly dated HIV patient Deborah (Lisa Chappell) but realised he had fallen in love with his good friend Carmen (Theresa Healey). The two began to date and Guy decided to get a vasectomy to prevent starting a family due both having bad experiences growing up. When Carmen fell pregnant, Guy assumed she had been cheating and left her. However it soon turned out the vasectomy had been unsuccessful and Guy was the true father. The two reconciled and committed to raising their baby daughter Tuesday (Kelly Tate) as a loving family. In 1995 he was shocked to learn he was the result of an affair between father, Bruce (Ken Blackburn) and Chris' nanny. Guy was devastated on Christmas day 1995 when Carmen was killed following being struck by a truck that collided through the clinic's reception. Depressed, Guy leaned on Chris to help raise his daughter and the Warners moved to the United States when a tumour was found on Tuesday's brain that could not be operated in New Zealand.

Guy returned in May 2007 with a teenage Tuesday (Olivia Tennet) and Chris soon discovered Guy had become addicted to drugs whilst embarking on a career as a self-help author. Infuriated by his brother's interference, Guy fled Ferndale with Chris' wife - Toni (Laura Hill), their son Harry (Henry Williams) and Tuesday. Chris located them 6 months later and whilst trying to escape him, Guy drove the family off a road-side bank and ended up in a life threatening coma. When he awoke he continued his newfound relationship with Toni and resorted to rehab to kick his addiction. He realised Toni was still in love with Chris and had a one-night stand with Alice Piper (Toni Potter) before publishing a book that blamed Chris and the Warners for his drug addiction and subsequent chaotic lifestyle. Chris was devastated but the two brothers eventually reconciled before Guy returned to America in April 2008. Alice discovered she was pregnant shortly after with Guy being one of the potential fathers however her daughter died shortly after birth. Guy phoned in June 2008, saddened he could not make it to Toni's funeral who had succumbed to norovirus. In 2014 Chris stated that Guy would not be able to make it to his wedding. Guy and Chris reconnected in December 2020 via video-call, in which Guy used his experience of grief following Carmen's sudden-death, to help with the loss of Chris' son Phoenix (Geordie Holibar). Realising Chris' suicidal nature, he sought help from nephew Frank (Luke Patrick). Guy would again make a cameo via video chat in January 2023, discussing with Chris about releasing funds from the Warner family to help reopen the destroyed Shortland Street hospital.

Character development

Relationship with Carmen Roberts

Guy and Carmen Roberts began a close friendship in 1993 and their mutual friend Steve Mills tried to match make the two. [10] However, after Steve's devastating death in 1994, the two finally got together at the staff party. [10] Carmen's actress - Theresa Healey described why Carmen fell for Guy, saying; "I think she was trying to turn herself around. She saw the Warner family as a way out. As a way to become a little bit more acceptable and maybe she'd be happier. And she liked him. She actually liked him." [10] The two ran into trouble when Guy admitted to an affair but both actors confessed the two would always return to each other with Healey stating; "His kooky sense of humour, his inappropriateness – like he's always doing the wrong thing and she always berates him for it. She loves him ... For all their fighting, they are addicted to each other and they love each other very much. But there is the baseline of no matter how horrible they are to each other, they know they'll always be able to say sorry ay some stage – well, Guy will say sorry!" [10] Guy had a vasectomy but Carmen was shocked to learn she was pregnant, indicating an affair. [11] However it soon turned out the vasectomy hadn't worked but Carmen was still hesitant to have the child. [12] Carmen soon came round to the idea when she thought she had lost the baby during the pregnancy and the two got into bitter arguments as to what to name the baby. [12] She was eventually named Tuesday. Guy was devastated when Carmen died in December 1995 and departed to America with Tuesday and Chris. [11] Upon his return in 2007, it was clear Guy was not over Carmen, Parker stated: "Guy has never got over Carmen and was always searching for another Carmen. He's had a string of bad relationships and picked up some bad habits along the way." [13]

Reception

Throughout his original stint, Guy was one of the most popular characters on the show. [14] The character was described by a journalist as being "terminally nice". [15] Producer Jason Daniel listed the return of Guy as one of his favourite storylines throughout his run on the soap. [16] In the 2008 Throng Shortland Street Fan Awards, Guy was listed as one of the characters fans would most like to return. [17] Charlotte Cowan of Entertainment Fix praised Guy's return storyline and compared it favorably to the returns of Hone Ropata (Temuera Morrison) in 2008 and Justine Jones (Lucy Wigmore) in 2009. [18] It was later named as the 4th best ever character return storyline in the soap by the Shortland Street website in 2013. [19] Laura Hill (Toni Warner) enjoyed working alongside Parker and Olivia Tennet (Tuesday Warner) during 2007, noting the "lovely new energy" they brought to the Warner family unit. [20] In 2012, the character was named as one of the standout characters of the show's first 20 years. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Warner</span> Soap opera character

Christopher Alexander Warner is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who has been portrayed by Michael Galvin since the show's first episode, making him the longest running original character. Galvin quit the show in 1996, but returned to the show four years later when the show underwent a revamp. In total he has been with Shortland Street for 27 of its 31 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toni Warner</span> Soap opera character

Antoinette "Toni" Warner is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by Laura Hill from 2001 until 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justine Jones</span> Soap opera character

Dr. Justine McKay is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who appeared in numerous stints from 2005 to 2009. She was portrayed by Laurie Foell in 2005 for a guest stint before returning in 2006 as a regular character. In 2007 the role was controversially recast, with Lucy Wigmore taking over. She played the role through to 2008 and again in a guest stint in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabrielle Jacobs</span> Soap opera character

Dr. Gabrielle Jacobs is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and has been portrayed by Virginie Le Brun throughout two stints, the first from 2009 to 2010 and the second from 2011 to 2012. She arrived in February 2009 as a potential love interest for long serving playboy Chris Warner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachel McKenna</span> Soap opera character

Rachel McKenna is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Angela Bloomfield and who made her first appearance in early 1993. Bloomfield left the role in late 1999, before returning in early 2001 and departing in early 2003. She returned in a guest role in mid-2007 and again in a full-time role in late 2009 before departing once again in late 2016.

Harry Warner (<i>Shortland Street</i>) Soap opera character

Harry Thompson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who first appeared onscreen in May 2002. Being born on screen during the shows 10th anniversary, Harry has been portrayed by several child actors and by Xander Manktelow from 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominic Thompson (Shortland Street)</span> Soap opera character

Dominic "Dom" Thompson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by Shane Cortese from 2003 to 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craig Valentine</span> Soap opera character

Dr. Craig Valentine is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Renato Bartolomei for four years from May 2004 to September 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hone Ropata</span> Fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street

Dr. Hone Ropata is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by Temuera Morrison as part of the original cast. Morrison maintained the role for three years before briefly reprising it in 2008 to commemorate the show's 4000th episode.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Harrison (Shortland Street)</span> Fictional character on Shortland Street

Nicholas John Harrison is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by Karl Burnett from the show's second episode in 1992 to 2005, making him the original character to stay with the show the longest in one stint. The character, along with wife Waverley, returned for the show's 25th anniversary that aired on 25 May 2017.

Bruce Warner (<i>Shortland Street</i>) Soap opera character

Sir Bruce Warner is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Ken Blackburn and was introduced as Chris Warner's womanizing father.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Feeney</span> Soap opera character

Greg Feeney is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, who was portrayed by Tim Balme for numerous recurring stints throughout the mid to late nineties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grace Kwan</span> Soap opera character

Dr. Grace Kwan is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, portrayed by Lynette Forday from 1994 to 1997. Forday reprised the role 16 years later in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finn Warner</span> Fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street

Finbar "Finn" Warner is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Born onscreen, Finn was originally played by an uncredited baby actor in 1993 before Lukas Whiting took over the role in 2016.

Frank Warner (<i>Shortland Street</i>) Soap opera character

Frank Warner is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Born on-screen, Frank was originally played by an uncredited baby actor in 1993 before Luke Patrick took over the role in 2016.

References

  1. 1 2 "NZ actors get roles in US series". stuff.co.nz . Fairfax Media. 25 July 2008.
  2. 1 2 Wakefield, Rowan (April 1996). "A star is burped". New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
  3. 1 2 Galvin, Michael; Zanoski, Steven (24 May 2012). "Interview with Mike Hosking". Newstalk ZB (Interview). Interviewed by Mike Hosking. Auckland: The Radio Network.
  4. "Craig Parker (Guy Warner) Returns". Throng. May 2007. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  5. Ihaka, James (5 May 2007). "Shortland Street marks 15 years on small screen". The New Zealand Herald . APN News & Media . Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  6. Barry Hill, Rebecca (4 May 2007). "Guy Warner back on the Street". The New Zealand Herald . APN News & Media.
  7. "Guy Warner returns to Shorties". Sunday News. 14 May 2007.
  8. Sills, Ethan (17 December 2020). "Shortland Street cliffhanger 2020: Chris Warner fights for his life". The New Zealand Herald .
  9. Harvey, Kerry (31 December 2020). "Chris Warner's fate to be revealed as Shortland Street returns for 2021". New Zealand TV Guide.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Chalmers, Gill (Summer 1995). "It has to be chemistry!". Shortland Street Official Magazine. New Zealand Magazines.
  11. 1 2 "Carmen dies after a truck accident". Shortland Street . Television New Zealand. 2005. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012.
  12. 1 2 Wakefield, Rowan (October 1995). "It's a baby". New Zealand Woman's Weekly. New Zealand Magazines.
  13. Ashdown, Shelley (May 2007). "Who's that Guy". New Zealand TV Guide. Fairfax Media.
  14. "Craig's a Man of Many Parts". Woman's Day. New Zealand Magazines. 1995.
  15. Corry, Dominic (11 October 2015). "Former Shorty star Craig Parker's reign continues". The New Zealand Herald . APN News & Media.
  16. "Shortland Street head hangs his hat up". The New Zealand Herald . APN News & Media. 20 November 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  17. Cunliffe, Regan (1 December 2008). "85000 votes determine Shortland Street fan award winners". Throng. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  18. Cowan, Charlotte (16 October 2009). "Rachel McKenna returns to Shortland Street". Entertainment Fix. MSN.
  19. "Best Returning Characters!". tvnz.co.nz. Television New Zealand. 24 October 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  20. "The Return of Toni Warner". tvnz.co.nz. Television New Zealand. 24 July 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  21. "Shorty Superstars". Shortland Street 20th Anniversary Magazine. New Zealand Magazines. 23 April 2012.