Shortland Street star Lukas Whiting on making his return after almost a decade
Actor Lukas Whiting is returning to the long-running New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street after a ten-year absence. He cites his close relationship with co-star Michael Galvin as a primary motivation for his comeback.
Why it matters
The return of legacy characters is a common strategy in television to boost viewership and nostalgia for long-running franchises.
After a decade away, Lukas Whiting brought his partner back to Aotearoa to meet the people who shaped him. Photo / Woman's Day
For Lukas Whiting, returning to Shortland Street after almost a decade away meant reuniting with family.
At the heart of stepping back into his role as Dr Finn Warner was spending time with Ferndale legend Michael Galvin , who plays his on-screen dad Chris.
“He loves new faces, but he also loves it when people come back,” grins Lukas, 33. “You can see the joy in his eyes.”
Just 23 when he first joined the hit soap, the Sydney-born actor says reprising his role as Finn felt remarkably natural.
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