Get set for the final week for 2008 of New Zealand's favourite serial drama, Shortland Street.

Last year's cliffhanger saw the much hyped reveal of Joey Henderson (Johnny Barker) as Ferndale's notorious serial killer.

This year, Shortland Street Producer Steven Zanoski promises equal doses of intrigue, plus the edge-of-your-seat suspense you've come to expect from the year's final episodes.

"The end of season cliffhangers are a great Shortland Street tradition," says Zanoski. "And who are we to break with tradition?"

Without giving too much away, Zanoski reveals that we will finally see Chris Warner (Michael Galvin) make a decision about his future with blonde bombshell Brooke Freeman (Beth Allen).

Intriguingly he also hints at a change in direction for popular couple Sarah Potts (Amanda Billing) and TK Samuels (Benjamin Mitchell).

"Sarah and TK have a decision on their hands which will cause them to confront what they really want from their marriage and careers," says Zanoski.

Fans will also be happy to hear that the popular Kieran Mitchell (Adam Rickitt) features strongly in the final week.

"Whatever Kieran get involved in, he always ends up in trouble," laughs Rickitt.  "Although fundamentally he is a good person, he does make some rather rash decisions which always come back to bite him."

This year, Kieran has walked a fine line between being the legitimate businessman and boyfriend he strives to be, all the while pulling off shifty deals behind the scenes in order to achieve it. 

As the year ends, Kieran is close to having everything he wants. But his association with the Whitetails gang and his ill-advised involvement with surgeon Ethan Pierce (Owen Black) are about to come back to haunt him.

"Kieran's teetering on the verge of losing or winning everything - I hope for his sake it's the latter," says Rickitt.

Meanwhile Tania Jeffries' (Faye Smythe) on-off torrid romance with gang member Kingi Te Wake (Te Kohe Tuhaka) will reach make or break point.

Tough nut Alice Piper (Toni Potter) will make a stunning discovery about Ethan Pierce which will open her eyes to the truth.

"A long running story arc will play out this week, to a truly unexpected conclusion. But don't think it's all over on Friday December 19.

"This one will have repercussions well into 2009," says Zanoski. "My advice is, stay tuned."