18 March, 2008

Internationally renowned New Zealand actor Temuera Morrison arrived at South Pacific Pictures’ studios today to reprise his role as Dr. Hone Ropata - one of Shortland Street’s favourite original characters.

Morrison is set to feature in episodes that will coincide with the celebration of Shortland Street’s 4000th episode in early June.  The landmark episode is a first for any New Zealand series.

The award-winning actor originally spent three years on the show playing the unorthodox Dr. Ropata.  In Shortland Street’s very first episode, Hone was the recipient of the most famous line in New Zealand television: “You’re not in Guatemala now, Dr. Ropata.”

While Morrison is not able to confirm how his character returns to the show, he says he is looking forward to again working on New Zealand’s longest running serial drama.

“Some of my happiest memories are from my time on Shortland Street,” he says. “When I read the script and saw what Hone gets up to this time around, I was really excited about returning.”

After Morrison’s departure from Shortland Street in 1995, he went on to have a hugely successful acting career, both in New Zealand and overseas.  His credits include ‘Once Were Warriors’, ‘What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?’, ‘Star Wars’, ‘River Queen’ and ‘The Vertical Limit’.

Shortland Street’s 4000th episode will air on Friday, June 6th, 2008 at 7.00pm on TV2.