Hunter McKay
Encyclopedia
Hunter McKay is a fictional character
in the TVNZ soap opera
Shortland Street
. He has been portrayed by Lee Donoghue since he first appeared in December 2006 as part of a new family unit consisting of parents Callum McKay
(Peter Mochrie
) and Justine Jones
(Laurie Foell
) and younger sister Sophie McKay
(Kimberley Crossman
).
The character is gifted academically, physically and socially, allowing numerous storylines involving romances, with the most notable being that of Tess Adamson
(Anita Torrance), the mother of Hunter's bully, Nate (Damien Harrison) and a woman 20 years Hunter's senior. Always popular due to his good looks and charming personality, Hunter is shown to be able to easily manipulate others including Scarlett Valentine
(Nicole Thomson) who tried to murder him after a brief fling. His large ego also causes Hunter to constantly argue with his parents Callum and Justine (Lucy Wigmore
) and sister Sophie, over subjects such as; affairs, career choices and drug companies. His many skills have allowed Hunter to pursue numerous careers, including model, paramedic, barman and doctor, an occupation he has been studying since 2009. The character has been subject to numerous high profile storylines, some of which included; an HIV scare, being stabbed, dating a serial killer and succumbing to a prescription pill addiction.
The character has been wildly popular, with many of his storylines being noted as highlights of the whole show. Donoghue has also received praise for the drug addiction storyline.
would be arriving to the street as the children of Doctors Callum McKay
and Justine Jones
. Hunter was said to be "a young man with huge potential." and would be "strong-willed, egotistical and driven as his parents." Lee Donoghue was part way through gaining his qualifications from Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, when he was offered the role of Hunter McKay, the wayward son of Callum and Justine McKay. Hunter and Sophie made their first appearance on 8 December 2006 with Hunter's first line being: "Very rustic, can't I get a hug from my mum first?".
Donoghue took a 3 month break from the show in August 2011.
(Peter Mochrie
) and mother Justine
's (Laurie Foell
) relief.
Hunter dates Scarlett Valentine
(Nicole Thomson) for a few weeks but in April 2007 Scarlett rams her father's car straight into Hunter. He escapes with minor injuries, but the incident gives him a wakeup call about his arrogant behaviour. He pursues a career in modeling while at school but feels bullied after a safe sex campaign. Hunter develops a crush on his bully's mother Tess
(Anita Torrance), he eventually starts an affair with her and soon a relationship. His family are heavily against it and the two finally break up when Hunter proposes, causing Tess and son, Nate (Damien Harrison) to flee Ferndale.
In 2008 Hunter has a one night stand with Morgan Braithwaite
(Bonnie Soper
) and finds himself in love. Using Justine's (Lucy Wigmore
) fake death as a depressive, Hunter continues a relationship with Morgan, which is short lived. In 2009 he dates one of the new nurses from the hospital, Aroha Reed (Geneva Alexander-Marsters) but the relationship doesn't last long as she dumps him to launch her singing career. He also decides to become a doctor like his parents and joins the local medical school.
Hunter gets involved with nurse Tracey Morrison (Sarah Thompson) in 2010 but she dumps him after a few weeks citing his immaturity. Hunter later gets stabbed with a used needle by a heroin addict. Hunter is shocked to learn he may have HIV. After getting stabbed following a fight which kills Ben
(Shaun Edwards-Brown), Hunter is relieved to find he is HIV negative. Hunter starts dating psychopath Penny
(Carolyn Dando
) who uses him to get closer to killing Scotty (Kiel McNaughton). When he finds out, he sets her up and gets her arrested.
In 2011 Hunter starts to date new nurse Jill Kingsbury
(Natalie Medlock) but after he cheats on her, loses her to Callum. Prompted by Paige (Rachel Foreman), Hunter starts to take ADHD pills to help study but finds himself addicted and flee's to Dunedin
to seek help. He returns 3 months later and is shown to be actively using Crystal Meth.
Hunter's early storylines were highly praised by fans, with his attempted murder at the hands of Scarlett Valentine
winning "Favourite Moment" in the Throng Shortland Street Fan Awards 2007. In the same awards, Hunter also won "Funniest Moment" for hiding in the nude. His relationship with Tess
was criticized, winning runner up in dodgiest moment and his kiss with Nate, runner up for "Strangest Moment".
Hugh Sundae of the New Zealand Herald praised Donoghue's acting in the 2011 90 minute episode stating; "Lee Donoghue continues to nail acting under the influence of booze and drugs as Hunter McKay, the likeable prescription-drug addict who's about to get so mad he will actually kick a tyre."
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the TVNZ 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...
. He has been portrayed by Lee Donoghue since he first appeared in December 2006 as part of a new family unit consisting of parents Callum McKay
Callum McKay
Callum McKay is a fictional character portrayed by actor Peter Mochrie in the TVNZ soap opera Shortland Street. He is a doctor and the Chief Executive Officer of Shortland Street Hospital.-Introduction:...
(Peter Mochrie
Peter Mochrie
Peter Mochrie is an actor who has appeared in various Australian television programs during his 25-year career. Since 2006 Mochrie has starred in the New Zealand soap Shortland Street as Dr Callum McKay....
) and Justine Jones
Justine Jones
Justine Jones was a fictional character on the TVNZ soap opera Shortland Street. Justine was originally played by Laurie Foell in 2005 and 2006, but was replaced by Lucy Wigmore in 2007 who portrayed her until September 2008 and as a guest character in July 2009.-Casting:Controversy struck in 2007...
(Laurie Foell
Laurie Foell
Laurie Foell is an Australian actress. She is best known for her portrayal of both Angela "Angie" Russell and her cousin Josie, on the successful Australian television soap opera Home and Away. Foell also starred as Dr...
) and younger sister Sophie McKay
Sophie McKay
Sophie Juliette McKay is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was introduced in late 2006 as the daughter of surgeon Justine Jones and GP Callum McKay. She was briefly married to Kieran Mitchell in early 2010 before they separated.-2006-2008:Sophie McKay...
(Kimberley Crossman
Kimberley Crossman
Kimberley Frances Crossman is a New Zealand actress, dancer and cheerleader who is best known for her role as Sophie McKay on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street.-Early life:...
).
The character is gifted academically, physically and socially, allowing numerous storylines involving romances, with the most notable being that of Tess Adamson
Tess Adamson
Tessa Lee Adamson is a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was played by Anita Torrance for several months in 2007 and was part of a high profile storyline where she had an affair with teenage Hunter McKay who was 20 years younger and a victim of her son's...
(Anita Torrance), the mother of Hunter's bully, Nate (Damien Harrison) and a woman 20 years Hunter's senior. Always popular due to his good looks and charming personality, Hunter is shown to be able to easily manipulate others including Scarlett Valentine
Scarlett Valentine
Scarlotta Valentine but known as Scarlett Valentine is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed from 2004 to 2008 by Nicole Thomson.-Arrival in Ferndale:...
(Nicole Thomson) who tried to murder him after a brief fling. His large ego also causes Hunter to constantly argue with his parents Callum and Justine (Lucy Wigmore
Lucy Wigmore
Lucy Wigmore is a stage and screen actress from New Zealand. She played core cast member Dr Justine Jones in the long-running soap opera Shortland Street, and more recently starred as Lillian May Armfield in Underbelly: Razor, a 13 part Drama set in the 1920's - 1930's on the rough and ready...
) and sister Sophie, over subjects such as; affairs, career choices and drug companies. His many skills have allowed Hunter to pursue numerous careers, including model, paramedic, barman and doctor, an occupation he has been studying since 2009. The character has been subject to numerous high profile storylines, some of which included; an HIV scare, being stabbed, dating a serial killer and succumbing to a prescription pill addiction.
The character has been wildly popular, with many of his storylines being noted as highlights of the whole show. Donoghue has also received praise for the drug addiction storyline.
Creation and Casting
It was announced in December 2006 that Hunter and Sophie McKaySophie McKay
Sophie Juliette McKay is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was introduced in late 2006 as the daughter of surgeon Justine Jones and GP Callum McKay. She was briefly married to Kieran Mitchell in early 2010 before they separated.-2006-2008:Sophie McKay...
would be arriving to the street as the children of Doctors Callum McKay
Callum McKay
Callum McKay is a fictional character portrayed by actor Peter Mochrie in the TVNZ soap opera Shortland Street. He is a doctor and the Chief Executive Officer of Shortland Street Hospital.-Introduction:...
and Justine Jones
Justine Jones
Justine Jones was a fictional character on the TVNZ soap opera Shortland Street. Justine was originally played by Laurie Foell in 2005 and 2006, but was replaced by Lucy Wigmore in 2007 who portrayed her until September 2008 and as a guest character in July 2009.-Casting:Controversy struck in 2007...
. Hunter was said to be "a young man with huge potential." and would be "strong-willed, egotistical and driven as his parents." Lee Donoghue was part way through gaining his qualifications from Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, when he was offered the role of Hunter McKay, the wayward son of Callum and Justine McKay. Hunter and Sophie made their first appearance on 8 December 2006 with Hunter's first line being: "Very rustic, can't I get a hug from my mum first?".
Donoghue took a 3 month break from the show in August 2011.
2006-
Hunter arrives to New Zealand to drug trafficking and assault charges at the airport which are dropped much to father CallumCallum McKay
Callum McKay is a fictional character portrayed by actor Peter Mochrie in the TVNZ soap opera Shortland Street. He is a doctor and the Chief Executive Officer of Shortland Street Hospital.-Introduction:...
(Peter Mochrie
Peter Mochrie
Peter Mochrie is an actor who has appeared in various Australian television programs during his 25-year career. Since 2006 Mochrie has starred in the New Zealand soap Shortland Street as Dr Callum McKay....
) and mother Justine
Justine Jones
Justine Jones was a fictional character on the TVNZ soap opera Shortland Street. Justine was originally played by Laurie Foell in 2005 and 2006, but was replaced by Lucy Wigmore in 2007 who portrayed her until September 2008 and as a guest character in July 2009.-Casting:Controversy struck in 2007...
's (Laurie Foell
Laurie Foell
Laurie Foell is an Australian actress. She is best known for her portrayal of both Angela "Angie" Russell and her cousin Josie, on the successful Australian television soap opera Home and Away. Foell also starred as Dr...
) relief.
Hunter dates Scarlett Valentine
Scarlett Valentine
Scarlotta Valentine but known as Scarlett Valentine is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed from 2004 to 2008 by Nicole Thomson.-Arrival in Ferndale:...
(Nicole Thomson) for a few weeks but in April 2007 Scarlett rams her father's car straight into Hunter. He escapes with minor injuries, but the incident gives him a wakeup call about his arrogant behaviour. He pursues a career in modeling while at school but feels bullied after a safe sex campaign. Hunter develops a crush on his bully's mother Tess
Tess Adamson
Tessa Lee Adamson is a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was played by Anita Torrance for several months in 2007 and was part of a high profile storyline where she had an affair with teenage Hunter McKay who was 20 years younger and a victim of her son's...
(Anita Torrance), he eventually starts an affair with her and soon a relationship. His family are heavily against it and the two finally break up when Hunter proposes, causing Tess and son, Nate (Damien Harrison) to flee Ferndale.
In 2008 Hunter has a one night stand with Morgan Braithwaite
Morgan Braithwaite
Morgan Braithwaite was a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Bonnie Soper since February 5, 2008. Morgan died on December 18 2009 after Kieran Mitchell accidentally ran her over with Rachel's car.-Character:Morgan Braithwaite was quiet, polite...
(Bonnie Soper
Bonnie Soper
Bonnie Soper is a New Zealand film and television actress.-Early career:A graduate of the Unitec School of Performing and Screen Arts, her theatre credits include, Auckland Theatre Company's 2007 play The Pillowman which she co-starred in with former and current Shortland Street actors Oliver...
) and finds himself in love. Using Justine's (Lucy Wigmore
Lucy Wigmore
Lucy Wigmore is a stage and screen actress from New Zealand. She played core cast member Dr Justine Jones in the long-running soap opera Shortland Street, and more recently starred as Lillian May Armfield in Underbelly: Razor, a 13 part Drama set in the 1920's - 1930's on the rough and ready...
) fake death as a depressive, Hunter continues a relationship with Morgan, which is short lived. In 2009 he dates one of the new nurses from the hospital, Aroha Reed (Geneva Alexander-Marsters) but the relationship doesn't last long as she dumps him to launch her singing career. He also decides to become a doctor like his parents and joins the local medical school.
Hunter gets involved with nurse Tracey Morrison (Sarah Thompson) in 2010 but she dumps him after a few weeks citing his immaturity. Hunter later gets stabbed with a used needle by a heroin addict. Hunter is shocked to learn he may have HIV. After getting stabbed following a fight which kills Ben
Ben Goodall
Benjamin "Ben" Goodall was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by actor Shaun Edwards-Brown. Ben debuted in the soap in July 2009, and began dating long time character Tania Jeffries. Ben then started dating Tania's mother Yvonne Jeffries...
(Shaun Edwards-Brown), Hunter is relieved to find he is HIV negative. Hunter starts dating psychopath Penny
Penny Rourke (character)
Paula Sinclair was a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street.-Before Shortland Street:...
(Carolyn Dando
Carolyn Dando
Carolyn Dando is an actress and classical soprano from Auckland, New Zealand.Dando's first film appearance was in the TV movie Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America...
) who uses him to get closer to killing Scotty (Kiel McNaughton). When he finds out, he sets her up and gets her arrested.
In 2011 Hunter starts to date new nurse Jill Kingsbury
Jill Kingsbury
Jill Kingsbury is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She is portrayed by Natalie Medlock and arrived to the show in February 2011 as a potential love interest of Daniel Potts ....
(Natalie Medlock) but after he cheats on her, loses her to Callum. Prompted by Paige (Rachel Foreman), Hunter starts to take ADHD pills to help study but finds himself addicted and flee's to Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
to seek help. He returns 3 months later and is shown to be actively using Crystal Meth.
Reception
The character has been described as a "hunk" and a "resident hottie", resulting in Donoghue receiving a lot of female attention. Donoghue joked about the " breathless girls" and stated that an abusive elder women hit him on the head for his relationship with Tess.Hunter's early storylines were highly praised by fans, with his attempted murder at the hands of Scarlett Valentine
Scarlett Valentine
Scarlotta Valentine but known as Scarlett Valentine is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed from 2004 to 2008 by Nicole Thomson.-Arrival in Ferndale:...
winning "Favourite Moment" in the Throng Shortland Street Fan Awards 2007. In the same awards, Hunter also won "Funniest Moment" for hiding in the nude. His relationship with Tess
Tess Adamson
Tessa Lee Adamson is a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was played by Anita Torrance for several months in 2007 and was part of a high profile storyline where she had an affair with teenage Hunter McKay who was 20 years younger and a victim of her son's...
was criticized, winning runner up in dodgiest moment and his kiss with Nate, runner up for "Strangest Moment".
Hugh Sundae of the New Zealand Herald praised Donoghue's acting in the 2011 90 minute episode stating; "Lee Donoghue continues to nail acting under the influence of booze and drugs as Hunter McKay, the likeable prescription-drug addict who's about to get so mad he will actually kick a tyre."