Caroline Buxton
Encyclopedia
Caroline Buxton is a fictional character on the New Zealand
soap opera
Shortland Street
, who was portrayed by Tandi Wright
from early 1996 to late 1999.
The character went through numerous storylines throughout her 4 years on the show, including; a long running romance with badboy Greg Feeney
(Tim Balme
), a euthenasia storyline that saw Caroline jailed for murder and a high profile lesbian
love affair, the first of it's kind on New Zealand television.
Since departing in 1999, Caroline is remembered as a favourable character and her two major storylines, the 1997 euthanasia
episodes and the lesbian
romance saga have been noted as two of the most iconic storylines to feature on the soap.
was offered a role on the soap in 1995, to which she declined, preferring to finish her acting degree. She was then offered the role of Caroline, a receptionist at the clinic. Wright accepted but was astonished at how much the soap took over her life, despite this she enjoyed working alongside Tim Balme
, Robyn Malcolm
and Katie Wolfe
. Wright eventually felt Caroline's storyline's were repeating and felt the need to try other roles, in 1998 she told producers her wish to leave the soap. As they enjoyed the character so much, they wrote her a severely high profile and entertaining final year.
) arrived and Caroline was shocked to learn Annabel was suicidal after being diagnosed with crippling Multiple Sclerosis
. Annabel pleaded with Caroline to help her die and Caroline eventually assisted in her suicide. She was arrested and Lionel
(John Leigh) supported her through the ordeal. In December Caroline was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to time in prison.
In 1998 Kirsty Knight (Angela Dotchin
) proved Caroline was innocent and she was released from prison. She finished her nursing training and briefly dated Rangi (Blair Strang
). In 1999 Caroline dated Greg Feeney
(Tim Balme
) but broke up when she realized he was a drug dealer. She was fired after accusing Mackenzie (Ingrid Park
) of attempting to murder Oscar (Christopher Brown). When she was proven right, Caroline was rehired. Caroline started to date Alan Dubrovsky (Malcolm Murray
) and the two soon got engaged. However Caroline soon realized she was in love with bridesmaid Laura (Larissa Matheson) and dumped Al for Laura. The two dated for several months until Caroline fell back into the arms of Greg, who impregnated her and drove her off into the sunset on the back of his motorbike.
explaining it was not love but security she was after; "She couldn't find the right man, so Caroline decided to settle for a good one - Dr Alan Dubrovsky." However Caroline soon found herself attracted to her bridesmaid, Laura Hill. Wright thought the storyline was handled sensitively and made sure that it did not enforce stereotypes; "It seems out of character but life often is," "I think the writers are extremely astute in terms of what's happening in the nation ... What I do like about Shortland Street is that they often rein in the characters and they appear to work hard not to make them a stereotype." Although the storyline was not the first to concern homosexuals, it was the one that had the "most depth required". However as the character was departing, writers put in a final hurdle in the romance with Caroline succumbing to ex lover Greg
and leaving the show, pregnant.
storyline. Simon Bennett who was a producer of the show, noted the euthanasia
storyline as one of the most memorable storylines featured in the soap. In 2002, future producer, Steven Zanoski listed the lesbian storyline as one of the 10 best storylines to occur on the soap. Caroline and Greg have been described as one of Shortland Streets most memorable couples.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Shortland Street
Shortland Street
Shortland Street is a New Zealand prime-time soap opera, first broadcast on Television New Zealand's TV2 on 25 May 1992. It is the country's longest-running drama and soap opera, being broadcast continuously for over 4500 episodes and 19 years, and is one of the most watched television programs in...
, who was portrayed by Tandi Wright
Tandi Wright
Tandi Wright is a South Africa-born, New Zealand-raised television and film actress. From 1996-1999 she appeared as Nurse Caroline Buxton in Shortland Street...
from early 1996 to late 1999.
The character went through numerous storylines throughout her 4 years on the show, including; a long running romance with badboy Greg Feeney
Greg Feeney
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....
(Tim Balme
Tim Balme
Timothy Guy Balme is an actor and screenwriter from New Zealand. He's most famous for his roles on the long-running soap opera Shortland Street and Mercy Peak, as well as lead roles in the cult favorites Braindead and Jack Brown Genius...
), a euthenasia storyline that saw Caroline jailed for murder and a high profile lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
love affair, the first of it's kind on New Zealand television.
Since departing in 1999, Caroline is remembered as a favourable character and her two major storylines, the 1997 euthanasia
Euthanasia
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
episodes and the lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
romance saga have been noted as two of the most iconic storylines to feature on the soap.
Creation and casting
Tandi WrightTandi Wright
Tandi Wright is a South Africa-born, New Zealand-raised television and film actress. From 1996-1999 she appeared as Nurse Caroline Buxton in Shortland Street...
was offered a role on the soap in 1995, to which she declined, preferring to finish her acting degree. She was then offered the role of Caroline, a receptionist at the clinic. Wright accepted but was astonished at how much the soap took over her life, despite this she enjoyed working alongside Tim Balme
Tim Balme
Timothy Guy Balme is an actor and screenwriter from New Zealand. He's most famous for his roles on the long-running soap opera Shortland Street and Mercy Peak, as well as lead roles in the cult favorites Braindead and Jack Brown Genius...
, Robyn Malcolm
Robyn Malcolm
Robyn Malcolm is a New Zealand television and theatre actress. She has appeared in numerous New Zealand TV shows and has toured New Zealand with a number of theatre productions.-Early life:...
and Katie Wolfe
Katie Wolfe
- Personal life :Katie Wolfe was born in New Plymouth in 1968, the daughter of Neil and Raewyn Wolfe. She has three siblings; Todd, Brooke and Sally. In 1986 she enrolled at Victoria University and graduated with a BA in English. She graduated from New Zealand acting school Toi Whakaari in 1990....
. Wright eventually felt Caroline's storyline's were repeating and felt the need to try other roles, in 1998 she told producers her wish to leave the soap. As they enjoyed the character so much, they wrote her a severely high profile and entertaining final year.
1996-1999
Caroline arrived in early 1996 to replace departed receptionist Marilyn Bluck (Donna Akersten). She had a brief liaison with Ian (David Press) who quickly moved onto Jenny (Maggie Harper). In 1997 Caroline's friend Annabel Lustwick (Jodie DordayJodie Dorday
Jodie Dorday is a New Zealand actress, known for her appearances on the television series Xena: Warrior Princess and Burying Brian .-Filmography:-External links:* * -References:...
) arrived and Caroline was shocked to learn Annabel was suicidal after being diagnosed with crippling Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
. Annabel pleaded with Caroline to help her die and Caroline eventually assisted in her suicide. She was arrested and Lionel
Lionel Skeggins
Lionel Skeggins was a fictional character on the TVNZ soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by John Leigh and after making his debut as a guest character in 1993, he returned from 1994 to the character's disappearance in 1999 as a core cast member....
(John Leigh) supported her through the ordeal. In December Caroline was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to time in prison.
In 1998 Kirsty Knight (Angela Dotchin
Angela Dotchin
-External links:...
) proved Caroline was innocent and she was released from prison. She finished her nursing training and briefly dated Rangi (Blair Strang
Blair Strang
Blair Strang is a New Zealand actor. He is most noted for playing ambulance driver Rangi Heremaia on New Zealand's longest-running soap opera, Shortland Street, between 1995 and 2001.-Early life:...
). In 1999 Caroline dated Greg Feeney
Greg Feeney
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....
(Tim Balme
Tim Balme
Timothy Guy Balme is an actor and screenwriter from New Zealand. He's most famous for his roles on the long-running soap opera Shortland Street and Mercy Peak, as well as lead roles in the cult favorites Braindead and Jack Brown Genius...
) but broke up when she realized he was a drug dealer. She was fired after accusing Mackenzie (Ingrid Park
Ingrid Park
Ingrid Park is a New Zealand actress, best known for her role as the evil Dr. MacKenzie Choat in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street .-Career:...
) of attempting to murder Oscar (Christopher Brown). When she was proven right, Caroline was rehired. Caroline started to date Alan Dubrovsky (Malcolm Murray
Malcolm Murray
Malcolm Murray born in Oamaru is an New Zealand actor, best known for his role as Dr. Al Dubrovsky in Shortland Street between 1999-2001. He was originally cast as the character of Doctor David Kearney in 1996 but was replaced by Peter Elliott. Malcolm who left Shortland Street at the end of 2001,...
) and the two soon got engaged. However Caroline soon realized she was in love with bridesmaid Laura (Larissa Matheson) and dumped Al for Laura. The two dated for several months until Caroline fell back into the arms of Greg, who impregnated her and drove her off into the sunset on the back of his motorbike.
Lesbian storyline
The writers and producers of the show enjoyed the Caroline character and how they had transformed her from ditsy receptionist to heroine nurse, they then decided to try and mould the characters sexuality as part of the character's final year. The character was in a relationship with Al at the time with actress Tandi WrightTandi Wright
Tandi Wright is a South Africa-born, New Zealand-raised television and film actress. From 1996-1999 she appeared as Nurse Caroline Buxton in Shortland Street...
explaining it was not love but security she was after; "She couldn't find the right man, so Caroline decided to settle for a good one - Dr Alan Dubrovsky." However Caroline soon found herself attracted to her bridesmaid, Laura Hill. Wright thought the storyline was handled sensitively and made sure that it did not enforce stereotypes; "It seems out of character but life often is," "I think the writers are extremely astute in terms of what's happening in the nation ... What I do like about Shortland Street is that they often rein in the characters and they appear to work hard not to make them a stereotype." Although the storyline was not the first to concern homosexuals, it was the one that had the "most depth required". However as the character was departing, writers put in a final hurdle in the romance with Caroline succumbing to ex lover Greg
Greg Feeney
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....
and leaving the show, pregnant.
Reception
Caroline was a popular character that audiences related to and were mostly sympathetic towards. Because of this, Wright thought her character was a good choice to play out the lesbianLesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
storyline. Simon Bennett who was a producer of the show, noted the euthanasia
Euthanasia
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
storyline as one of the most memorable storylines featured in the soap. In 2002, future producer, Steven Zanoski listed the lesbian storyline as one of the 10 best storylines to occur on the soap. Caroline and Greg have been described as one of Shortland Streets most memorable couples.