| Sophie McKay | |||||||||||||||||
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| Shortland Street character | |||||||||||||||||
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| Portrayed by | Kimberley Crossman | ||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2006–12 | ||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 8 December 2006 | ||||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | 25 May 2012 | ||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Jason Daniel (2006) Steven Zanoski (2012) | ||||||||||||||||
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Sophie Juliette McKay is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by Kimberley Crossman from 2006 to 2011 as part of the McKay family unit. She made a guest appearance in 2012.
It was announced in December 2006 that Sophie and Hunter McKay would be arriving as part of the McKay family unit, headed by Justine and Callum McKay. [1] Sophie was described as a "very pretty, popular fifteen year old. A typical teen consumer of any new product or trend, she's a total fashion victim." [1] She was described as close with her brother; "Hunter's her best friend, her role model and the one person who's always been there for her." [1] Crossman quit the role to move to Los Angeles, [2] making her last appearance in March 2011. But expressed interest in returning in the future. [2] Crossman returned for an unannounced cameo on 25 May 2012 to mark the shows 20th anniversary.
Sophie arrived in December 2006 and instantly got into trouble with customs much to parents - Callum (Peter Mochrie) and Justine's (Laurie Foell) horror. She started a blog in 2007 and attracted the attention of tourettes sufferer, Angus (Elliot Christensen-Yule) but became smitten with Nate (Damien Harrison) who she lost her virginity to after wrongfully accusing Luke Durville (Gerald Urquhart) of being a serial killer. The two broke up when it turned out Nate was gay and had a crush on Sophie's brother - Hunter (Lee Donoghue). Sophie ended up in a relationship with Angus but they broke up when she had a one-night stand with paraplegic - Tane Samuels (Dominic Ona-Ariki).
In 2009 she became head girl of Ferndale High and after briefly dating bully - Orlando (Chris Maclennan-Jones), Sophie started to date Daniel Potts (Ido Drent). However an increasingly unhappy Sophie started a secret affair with older man Kieran Mitchell (Adam Rickitt). The relationship was eventually outed to the family and the two got engaged. Despite the intervention of Kieran's brother - Sean (Thijs Morris), Sophie and Kieran married in March 2010. Sophie started to lose trust in Kieran and the couple separated, only for Kieran to die. A devastated Sophie got back together with Daniel and took up a career in registration. In 2011, after jealousy over Daniel's ex - Jill (Natalie Medlock) and her worldwide knowledge, Sophie kindly broke up with Daniel and departed Ferndale to travel the world.
In 2012 Callum announced Sophie had finished traveling the world. She made a brief appearance on 25 May 2012, when her father left the hospital to take him to visit Hunter.
The character was well received, winning Crossman "Best rising star" in the Throng Shortland Street fan awards 2007. [3] Sophie won runner up in; "Hottest female", [3] "Best Dressed Character" [3] and "Most Boring Storyline". [3] In 2009 Sophie took out "Hottest Female" [4] and "Favourite Actress". [4] She also won runner up in "Favourite Female Character" [4] and "Best Dressed Character". [4] The Sophie and Kieran storyline was also noted as a highlight [4] and fans wished for Sophie to star in a sex scandal storyline in 2010. [4] In 2010 Sophie won "Favourite Female Character" [5] and "Best Dressed Character". [5] She also won runner up for "Best Hair". [5] In 2011 Sophie took out "Hottest Female", [6] "Most Missed Character" [6] and favourite non-dead character to return. [6] Sophie won runner up in "Favourite Female Character" [6] and "Best Hair". [6]
The 2010 storyline that saw Sophie stalked by her university lecturer, saw complaints from the family of Sophie Elliott who was murdered in 2008 by her former university lecturer whom she had been dating. [7] [8] Producer Steven Zanoski defended the storyline, calling it a "classic". [8]
Maia Anne Jeffries is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Anna Jullienne from mid-2004 to early-2011, with the character starring in numerous high-profile storylines alongside her on screen family. The character returned as part of the show's 20th anniversary in May 2012.
Olivia "Libby" Tippett is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by Fleur Saville from early-2006 to mid-2010. She returned in a guest appearance during the shows 20th anniversary in 2012.
Hunter McKay is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by Lee Donoghue from December 2006, as part of a new family unit consisting of parents Callum McKay and Justine Jones, and younger sister Sophie McKay. Donoghue stayed with the role until he quit in late 2011. Hunter made his final appearance in March 2012.
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.
Dr. Luke Louis Demonte Durville is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was played by Gerald Urquhart from the character's first appearance in September 2007 until January 2013. The character appeared on a sporadic status until 2012 when he became a core cast member.
Joseph James "Joey" Henderson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by Johnny Barker from mid 2007 to early 2008.
Kimberley Frances Crossman is a New Zealand actress and presenter who is best known for her role as Sophie McKay on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She is the co-founder of Joyable.
Kieran Mitchell is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by British actor Adam Rickitt through numerous high-profile storylines from early 2007 to mid-2010.
Brooke Freeman is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Beth Allen. Brooke debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 14 July 2008. The role was written with Allen in mind to play her. Brooke arrived as a locum GP but later advanced in her career. She is played as a manipulative female, who uses her sexuality to advance in her career. She is also characterised by her complex backstory which has resulted in her "messed up" persona. As a stylish female, Allen is required to spend longer in the dressing room with make-up artists. Brooke's style has been attributed to Katharine Hepburn, though she wears dark colours to convey her personality.
Daniel Joshua Potts is a fictional character in the soap opera Shortland Street. The role was originated by actor Jarred Blakiston from 2004 to 2005 and again briefly in 2007 before Ido Drent took over in 2009. The character departed in mid-2012.
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.
Wendy Cooper is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and has been portrayed by Jacqueline Nairn since her debut in mid-2010. The character arrived as the matriarch of the new family unit, the Coopers.
Phoenix Warner is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He has been portrayed by Geordie Holibar since his debut in the show's first ever 90 minute episode in August 2010. The character was introduced as the previously unknown son of long-standing character Chris Warner and ex-wife Alison Raynor. The character departed after dying of an overdose in the episode airing 23 October 2020. Phoenix later returned that December when Chris imagined him as a ghost.
Vainu'u "Vinnie" Kruse-Miller is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Pua Magasiva. Vinnie first arrived on 25 November 2003, leaving the show on 23 February 2006. He made a return to the soap after a five-year gap on 16 August 2011.
Tania Jeffries is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Faye Smythe from 2005 to 2010, with the character starring in numerous high-profile storylines alongside her on screen family. The character returned in May 2012 as part of the show's 20th anniversary.