Sarah Potts (character)
Encyclopedia
Dr. Sarah Marjorie Potts is a fictional character
on the soap opera
Shortland Street
. She is played by Amanda Billing
. First arriving in September 2004, the character has reached the record of one of the longest ever stint's in the soap's history, with only short term breaks every few years.
Sarah arrived to the show in 2004 as a potential love interest to Craig
(Renato Bartolomei
) and new doctor in the hospital's Emergency Department. Sarah's young brother Daniel
(Jarred Blakiston
) was soon revealed to be her illegitimate son and started to live with her. Sarah wed CEO Andrew (Paolo Rotondo
) but the marriage was annulled when Andrew was revealed to be a new father. Finally getting together with Craig in 2006, the relationship didn't last and Sarah found herself marrying TK Samuels
(Benjamin Mitchell), with the couple becoming hugely popular
. Having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis
in 2008, Sarah found herself incapable of having children and separated herself from TK. After a one night stand with TK in 2010, Sarah gave birth to a daughter she named Matilda "Tillie" Potts (Nathan Anderson) in July 2011.
Sarah's feisty no nonsense attitude has led to her being both liked and despised in the fan community, including helping her win the Throng Shortland Street Fan Award for "Favorite Female Character" in 2006. Her personality has also caused her to clash with several key characters in the show with three major feuds being with Huia Samuels
(Nicola Kawana
), Brooke Freeman
(Beth Allen
) and Roimata Ngatai
(Shavaughn Ruakere). However the character has also had many long running friendships, mainly with; Toni Warner
(Laura Hill
), Justine Jones
(Laurie Foell
) and Wendy Cooper (Jacqueline Nairn).
previously auditioned for the roles of lesbian nurse Maia Jeffries
and the ill fated Avril Luchich before she was offered the role of Sarah in early 2004. Sarah arrived to Shortland Street in September 2004, crashing into Craig Valentine
's car. Her first line was: "Gotta go, this is the last thing I need right now." The character was described as "a good looking, vivacious and driven woman in her early 30s" and was "liked, easy-going and good-humoured". In the casting of Sarah, it was suggested that producer's were carrying on the tradition of placing talented unknowns in starring roles.
Billing took a four month break in November 2010 to star in a play while Sarah was said to have moved to America.
(Renato Bartolomei
). She started to date and married Andrew Solomon (Paolo Rotondo
) but their marriage was annulled after Andrew left Sarah to be with his ex girlfriend and children. It was revealed Sarah was mother to 13 year old Daniel Potts
(Jarred Blakiston
) who was brought up as her brother. In 2005 he left to live with his father.
Sarah briefly dated a schoolboy and later conman Hamish (Phil Brown). She continually found herself attracted to Craig and started to date him before the two broke up due to his anger problems. They made up and dated again but broke up when Craig cheated on Sarah with Huia (Nicola Kawana
), impregnating her. Huia's cousin TK Samuels
(Benjamin Mitchell) comforted her through the ordeal and when Craig readmitted his love, Sarah was faced with a tough decision between Craig and TK. Sarah finally made a decision and in December 2006 asked TK to marry her.
The couple married in mid 2007 and later decided to have kids. However in 2008 after being diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis
the couple suffer a shock when they learn Sarah's baby will be born with a deathly illness and it is terminated.
In 2009 Sarah welcomes back Daniel (Ido Drent
) into her life and is saddened when she has to call the police on him. Sarah soon gets manipulated by Brooke Freeman
(Beth Allen
) into thinking TK is unhappy in the marriage as he wants children and she emotionally moves out to try make him happier. She rebounds into an affair with Maxwell Avia
(Robbie Magasiva
). Maxwell later cheats on Sarah with Vasa Levi
(Teuila Blakely) and the two break up. Sarah and TK readmit their love and have sex, before Sarah decides to leave to the United States
.
Sarah makes a surprise return to Shortland Street in March 2011 announcing she is pregnant with TK's child, a girl. Sarah has plans to get back together with TK but seeing he has moved on with Roimata
(Shavaughn Ruakere), Sarah gives up hope. She gives birth to her daughter, Matilda "Tillie" Mareikura Potts (Nathan Anderson) in July 2011 after leaving TK's wedding. After having a severe relapse in her MS, Sarah tearfully hands over custody of Tillie to TK and Roimata. Sarah is taken to rehab.
. Sarah's first scene even involved her crashing into Craig's car, driven by his son Jake Valentine. Upon learning Sarah is trying for a job in his department, Craig opposes to her job application, nonetheless, CEO Andrew Solomon hires her. The two constantly argue, eventually calling a truce and by the end of Sarah's first week, audiences already began to suspect a romance between the two characters. Billing offered an opinion as to why the two had such good chemistry saying; "I think you can find someone physically attractive but hate their guts, someone can irritate you heaps but you still find them a lovable rogue. The two characters are a lot alike, and that's why they spar. They're both headstrong and think that they're right more often than not." Despite the duo's sexual tension at work, the two struggle to admit their feelings for each other due to the interference of Sarah's son Daniel
and Craig's daughter Scarlett
. The two do eventually get together in 2005 and according to publicists, the couples first kiss brought the building to silence. Billing agreed saying: "We have monitors through the whole building and everyone was going, 'Bloody hell!' Their chemistry is quite extraordinary," Sarah becomes engaged to Andrew and Craig desperately tries to admit his love, even kissing her before the ceremony. In 2006 the two finally get together in what has been described as "Shortland Street's Steamiest ever scene." However the two constantly argue and Craig cheats on Sarah. At the end of the year, Craig admits his love but Sarah chooses TK Samuels
over him. On her wedding day to TK in 2007, Sarah decides to call off the marriage, fearing she still loves Craig. She visits Craig but he insists on driving her to the wedding himself. Sarah comes back from her honeymoon early to help Craig. In 2008 Craig diagnoses Sarah with Multiple Sclerosis
. Upon resigning, Craig admits he will always love Sarah and the two share a moment before he is murdered later that evening. Sarah sings an emotional song at his service, highlighting his personality and kindness.
arriving in early 2006, Sarah found herself annoyed and conflicted with the newby immature doctor. However TK took a shine to Sarah and did all he could to impress her. Having found boyfriend, Craig cheating on her with TK's cousin Huia, Sarah used TK as a shoulder to cry on and the two soon got together. As 2006 ended, Sarah found herself torn between Craig and TK, eventually choosing and proposing to TK. The two wed in mid 2007, with Sarah initially cautious as she believed she may still love Craig. The two decided to start a family in late 2007 however TK soon voted against it and Sarah feared she had made a mistake marrying TK however the two soon made up and decided to try for a family again. The couple found themselves pregnant but the baby would have been born ill, so the pregnancy was terminated. Sarah broke up with TK when Brooke Freeman
purposely drove a wedge between Sarah and her crush TK. The two set up a clinic in 2010 and Sarah later readmitted her love, causing a one night stand before Sarah left the country. Upon her unexpected arrival, Sarah announced she was pregnant with TK's child and she loved him. However TK had moved on with Roimata
and despite feelings for Sarah, announced it was over forever.
Billing acknowledged that TK and Roimata have good chemistry but praised TK and Sarah's possible rekindling saying; "Roimata and TK make a really good couple but Sarah and TK were really good too and wouldn't it be great for them to be a family?"
. Producer Jason Daniel explained the situation; "As a continuing serial Shortland Street has the ability to explore situations and issues in considerable depth over long periods – and this is what we intend to do with Sarah’s multiple sclerosis." In mid 2008, Sarah started to realize she was suffering from an illness which began to gradually affect her work. Ex boyfriend Craig Valentine
diagnosed Sarah with multiple sclerosis, a fact Sarah kept kidden from husband, TK. The illness starts to seriously affect Sarah's fast paced job as a consultant in the Emergency Department. Sarah later reveals to TK the truth about her illness and TK goes into overdrive, changing her meal plans and exercise routines. Sarah begun to attend MS support groups but struggled to come to terms with how sick she may become. Despite finally being award head of ED, Sarah realized she had to resign as a result of her eventual inability to perform such a fast paced job. Sarah also realizes her new pregnancy makes her MS symptoms stronger and is forced to terminate the baby. In late 2009 Sarah has a relapse in her MS symptoms, confirming her suspicion she will never heal and it will affect her chance of having children, causing her to leave TK. She has another relapse in mid 2010, cementing her relationship with Maxwell
. In November 2010 Sarah leaves Ferndale, having won a position in a MS research team in the United States
. However upon her return, she is finally pregnant. Once having given birth to daughter, Tillie in July 2011, Sarah has another relapse in her symptoms and begins to fear for her ability to mother Tillie. In September, Sarah's condition appears to be in remission but she suddenly has a severe attack, losing control of her speech, legs and arms, with Tillie unsupervised. The traumatic experience leads Sarah to teafully hand over custody of Tillie to TK and Roimata. With little ability to move, Sarah is taken to rehab.
To accurately portray the symptoms of MS, Billing researched heavily, including using the internet, medical advisers and the advice of a friend with the illness. Billing enjoyed playing the relapses, stating; "Sarah's Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis has meant when she has a relapse, I'm telling the story of people living with the condition. It makes work less 'soapy' and more realistic, more meaningful."
She was called "popular" by producer Jason Daniel in 2008. Billing herself reflected on the strong nature of her character, referring to her as "stroppy". Billing received a nomination in the New Zealand TV Guide Best on the Box awards 2011 for "Best Actress", losing out to Robyn Malcolm
for her role in Outrageous Fortune
. Billing also received a nomination for "Best Actress" at the 2007 Air New Zealand Screen awards. Again losing out to Malcolm.
The character's diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis
has also helped educate New Zealanders about the illness. Sufferers of multiple sclerosis praised the show, pleasing producer Jason Daniel who said; "The story has already examined the impact her diagnosis has on her personally and professionally. And in the future it will explore how she learns to live with her MS. I’m very pleased that the MS Society approves of our efforts so far, and I hope that audiences will continue to find Sarah’s story inspiring and uplifting."
The July 2011 90 minute episode which concluded with Sarah giving birth, received incredibly high ratings with an audience of 834,200. Billing offered an opinion on the reason as to why Sarah's storyline concerning her daughter was so well received, saying; "When theres children involved, and love and illness, it gets really hard and I think the audience loves that." Producer, Steven Zanoski suggested part of the reason for the episodes success was the song Billing released as part of the marketing towards the Winter Season.
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...
on the 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...
. She is played by Amanda Billing
Amanda Billing
Amanda Billing is best known for her role as Doctor Sarah Potts on New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street.-Biography:...
. First arriving in September 2004, the character has reached the record of one of the longest ever stint's in the soap's history, with only short term breaks every few years.
Sarah arrived to the show in 2004 as a potential love interest to Craig
Craig Valentine
Dr. Craig Valentine is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Renato Bartolomei for four years from May 2004 to September 2008....
(Renato Bartolomei
Renato Bartolomei
Renato Bartolomei was born in Australia of Italian descent.Starting his acting career in Australia, he is now a prominent actor in New Zealand, who had a prominent role as Craig Valentine in Shortland Street....
) and new doctor in the hospital's Emergency Department. Sarah's young brother Daniel
Daniel Potts
Daniel Potts is a fictional character in the soap opera Shortland Street. The role was originated by actor Jarred Blakiston from 2004–2005 and again briefly in 2007 before Ido Drent took over in 2009...
(Jarred Blakiston
Jarred Blakiston
Jarred Blakiston was born in 1991, is a New Zealand-born actor. He is best known for his year-long role, from 2004 to 2005, and then recurring in 2007, in New Zealand's longest running soap, Shortland Street, playing the role of Daniel Potts, son of Dr Sarah Potts . In 2007 he appeared in The...
) was soon revealed to be her illegitimate son and started to live with her. Sarah wed CEO Andrew (Paolo Rotondo
Paolo Rotondo
Paolo Rotondo is an actor who has made appearances in several New Zealand-based TV shows and films. He also has experience in writing and directing films.-Personal life:...
) but the marriage was annulled when Andrew was revealed to be a new father. Finally getting together with Craig in 2006, the relationship didn't last and Sarah found herself marrying TK Samuels
TK Samuels
Te Koha 'TK' Samuels is a fictional character in New Zealand's longest running soap opera Shortland Street, played by actor Benjamin Mitchell since early 2006.-2006-:...
(Benjamin Mitchell), with the couple becoming hugely popular
TK and Sarah
TK Samuels and Sarah Potts are fictional characters, a fan favorite coupling and a common storyline on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street...
. Having been diagnosed with 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...
in 2008, Sarah found herself incapable of having children and separated herself from TK. After a one night stand with TK in 2010, Sarah gave birth to a daughter she named Matilda "Tillie" Potts (Nathan Anderson) in July 2011.
Sarah's feisty no nonsense attitude has led to her being both liked and despised in the fan community, including helping her win the Throng Shortland Street Fan Award for "Favorite Female Character" in 2006. Her personality has also caused her to clash with several key characters in the show with three major feuds being with Huia Samuels
Huia Samuels
Huia Samuels is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Nicola Kawana and appeared for 18 months from early 2005 to late 2006....
(Nicola Kawana
Nicola Kawana
Nicola Kawana, is best known for playing Huia Samuels on the longest running New Zealand television series Shortland Street. Other roles include Mercy Peak, Jackson's Wharf and Lollie in The Man Who Lost His Head....
), Brooke Freeman
Brooke Freeman
Brooke Freeman is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Beth Allen. Brooke debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 24 July 2008. The role was written with Allen in mind to play her. Brooke arrived as a locum GP but later advanced in her career...
(Beth Allen
Beth Allen
Elizabeth "Beth" Allen has been acting since an early age and has appeared in several small productions and commercials since 1993. Her first major role was in Cloud 9's The Legend of William Tell in 1998, in which she played Princess Vara...
) and Roimata Ngatai
Roimata Ngatai
Roimata Ngatai is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She is portrayed by Shavaughn Ruakere and has been on the soap since January 2011...
(Shavaughn Ruakere). However the character has also had many long running friendships, mainly with; Toni Warner
Toni Warner
Antoinette "Toni" Warner was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street...
(Laura Hill
Laura Hill
Laura Anne Hill is a New Zealand actress, best known for playing Toni Thompson on the New Zealand soap opera, Shortland Street.-External links:...
), 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 Wendy Cooper (Jacqueline Nairn).
Creation and casting
Amanda BillingAmanda Billing
Amanda Billing is best known for her role as Doctor Sarah Potts on New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street.-Biography:...
previously auditioned for the roles of lesbian nurse Maia Jeffries
Maia Jeffries
Maia Anne Jeffries is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Anna Jullienne from mid 2004 to early 2011, with the character starring in numerous high profile storylines alongside her on screen family....
and the ill fated Avril Luchich before she was offered the role of Sarah in early 2004. Sarah arrived to Shortland Street in September 2004, crashing into Craig Valentine
Craig Valentine
Dr. Craig Valentine is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Renato Bartolomei for four years from May 2004 to September 2008....
's car. Her first line was: "Gotta go, this is the last thing I need right now." The character was described as "a good looking, vivacious and driven woman in her early 30s" and was "liked, easy-going and good-humoured". In the casting of Sarah, it was suggested that producer's were carrying on the tradition of placing talented unknowns in starring roles.
Billing took a four month break in November 2010 to star in a play while Sarah was said to have moved to America.
2004-
Sarah arrived to Shortland Street and won a job working in ED under Craig ValentineCraig Valentine
Dr. Craig Valentine is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Renato Bartolomei for four years from May 2004 to September 2008....
(Renato Bartolomei
Renato Bartolomei
Renato Bartolomei was born in Australia of Italian descent.Starting his acting career in Australia, he is now a prominent actor in New Zealand, who had a prominent role as Craig Valentine in Shortland Street....
). She started to date and married Andrew Solomon (Paolo Rotondo
Paolo Rotondo
Paolo Rotondo is an actor who has made appearances in several New Zealand-based TV shows and films. He also has experience in writing and directing films.-Personal life:...
) but their marriage was annulled after Andrew left Sarah to be with his ex girlfriend and children. It was revealed Sarah was mother to 13 year old Daniel Potts
Daniel Potts
Daniel Potts is a fictional character in the soap opera Shortland Street. The role was originated by actor Jarred Blakiston from 2004–2005 and again briefly in 2007 before Ido Drent took over in 2009...
(Jarred Blakiston
Jarred Blakiston
Jarred Blakiston was born in 1991, is a New Zealand-born actor. He is best known for his year-long role, from 2004 to 2005, and then recurring in 2007, in New Zealand's longest running soap, Shortland Street, playing the role of Daniel Potts, son of Dr Sarah Potts . In 2007 he appeared in The...
) who was brought up as her brother. In 2005 he left to live with his father.
Sarah briefly dated a schoolboy and later conman Hamish (Phil Brown). She continually found herself attracted to Craig and started to date him before the two broke up due to his anger problems. They made up and dated again but broke up when Craig cheated on Sarah with Huia (Nicola Kawana
Nicola Kawana
Nicola Kawana, is best known for playing Huia Samuels on the longest running New Zealand television series Shortland Street. Other roles include Mercy Peak, Jackson's Wharf and Lollie in The Man Who Lost His Head....
), impregnating her. Huia's cousin TK Samuels
TK Samuels
Te Koha 'TK' Samuels is a fictional character in New Zealand's longest running soap opera Shortland Street, played by actor Benjamin Mitchell since early 2006.-2006-:...
(Benjamin Mitchell) comforted her through the ordeal and when Craig readmitted his love, Sarah was faced with a tough decision between Craig and TK. Sarah finally made a decision and in December 2006 asked TK to marry her.
The couple married in mid 2007 and later decided to have kids. However in 2008 after being diagnosed with 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...
the couple suffer a shock when they learn Sarah's baby will be born with a deathly illness and it is terminated.
In 2009 Sarah welcomes back Daniel (Ido Drent
Ido Drent
Ido Drent is a South African actor currently working and living in Auckland, New Zealand. He is best known to television audiences as Daniel Potts in the long running soap opera Shortland Street.-Early life:...
) into her life and is saddened when she has to call the police on him. Sarah soon gets manipulated by Brooke Freeman
Brooke Freeman
Brooke Freeman is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Beth Allen. Brooke debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 24 July 2008. The role was written with Allen in mind to play her. Brooke arrived as a locum GP but later advanced in her career...
(Beth Allen
Beth Allen
Elizabeth "Beth" Allen has been acting since an early age and has appeared in several small productions and commercials since 1993. Her first major role was in Cloud 9's The Legend of William Tell in 1998, in which she played Princess Vara...
) into thinking TK is unhappy in the marriage as he wants children and she emotionally moves out to try make him happier. She rebounds into an affair with Maxwell Avia
Maxwell Avia
Maxwell Avia is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Robbie Magasiva. Maxwell debuted on-screen on 19 June 2009.-Creation and casting:...
(Robbie Magasiva
Robbie Magasiva
Robbie Magasiva is a Samoan New Zealand actor who has starred in several films and as a member of the Naked Samoans comedy troupe. He has also appeared on television and theatre, and was the co-presenter of New Zealand's Tagata Pasifika with famed athlete Beatrice Faumuina. Magasiva is also known...
). Maxwell later cheats on Sarah with Vasa Levi
Vasa Levi
Vasa Levi is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She is portrayed by Teuila Blakely since her first appearance in July 2010...
(Teuila Blakely) and the two break up. Sarah and TK readmit their love and have sex, before Sarah decides to leave to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Sarah makes a surprise return to Shortland Street in March 2011 announcing she is pregnant with TK's child, a girl. Sarah has plans to get back together with TK but seeing he has moved on with Roimata
Roimata Ngatai
Roimata Ngatai is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She is portrayed by Shavaughn Ruakere and has been on the soap since January 2011...
(Shavaughn Ruakere), Sarah gives up hope. She gives birth to her daughter, Matilda "Tillie" Mareikura Potts (Nathan Anderson) in July 2011 after leaving TK's wedding. After having a severe relapse in her MS, Sarah tearfully hands over custody of Tillie to TK and Roimata. Sarah is taken to rehab.
Craig Valentine
The character of Sarah was originally written into the show as a potential love interest to relatively new doctor, Craig ValentineCraig Valentine
Dr. Craig Valentine is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Renato Bartolomei for four years from May 2004 to September 2008....
. Sarah's first scene even involved her crashing into Craig's car, driven by his son Jake Valentine. Upon learning Sarah is trying for a job in his department, Craig opposes to her job application, nonetheless, CEO Andrew Solomon hires her. The two constantly argue, eventually calling a truce and by the end of Sarah's first week, audiences already began to suspect a romance between the two characters. Billing offered an opinion as to why the two had such good chemistry saying; "I think you can find someone physically attractive but hate their guts, someone can irritate you heaps but you still find them a lovable rogue. The two characters are a lot alike, and that's why they spar. They're both headstrong and think that they're right more often than not." Despite the duo's sexual tension at work, the two struggle to admit their feelings for each other due to the interference of Sarah's son Daniel
Daniel Potts
Daniel Potts is a fictional character in the soap opera Shortland Street. The role was originated by actor Jarred Blakiston from 2004–2005 and again briefly in 2007 before Ido Drent took over in 2009...
and Craig's daughter Scarlett
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:...
. The two do eventually get together in 2005 and according to publicists, the couples first kiss brought the building to silence. Billing agreed saying: "We have monitors through the whole building and everyone was going, 'Bloody hell!' Their chemistry is quite extraordinary," Sarah becomes engaged to Andrew and Craig desperately tries to admit his love, even kissing her before the ceremony. In 2006 the two finally get together in what has been described as "Shortland Street's Steamiest ever scene." However the two constantly argue and Craig cheats on Sarah. At the end of the year, Craig admits his love but Sarah chooses TK Samuels
TK Samuels
Te Koha 'TK' Samuels is a fictional character in New Zealand's longest running soap opera Shortland Street, played by actor Benjamin Mitchell since early 2006.-2006-:...
over him. On her wedding day to TK in 2007, Sarah decides to call off the marriage, fearing she still loves Craig. She visits Craig but he insists on driving her to the wedding himself. Sarah comes back from her honeymoon early to help Craig. In 2008 Craig diagnoses Sarah with 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...
. Upon resigning, Craig admits he will always love Sarah and the two share a moment before he is murdered later that evening. Sarah sings an emotional song at his service, highlighting his personality and kindness.
TK Samuels
With TK SamuelsTK Samuels
Te Koha 'TK' Samuels is a fictional character in New Zealand's longest running soap opera Shortland Street, played by actor Benjamin Mitchell since early 2006.-2006-:...
arriving in early 2006, Sarah found herself annoyed and conflicted with the newby immature doctor. However TK took a shine to Sarah and did all he could to impress her. Having found boyfriend, Craig cheating on her with TK's cousin Huia, Sarah used TK as a shoulder to cry on and the two soon got together. As 2006 ended, Sarah found herself torn between Craig and TK, eventually choosing and proposing to TK. The two wed in mid 2007, with Sarah initially cautious as she believed she may still love Craig. The two decided to start a family in late 2007 however TK soon voted against it and Sarah feared she had made a mistake marrying TK however the two soon made up and decided to try for a family again. The couple found themselves pregnant but the baby would have been born ill, so the pregnancy was terminated. Sarah broke up with TK when Brooke Freeman
Brooke Freeman
Brooke Freeman is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Beth Allen. Brooke debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 24 July 2008. The role was written with Allen in mind to play her. Brooke arrived as a locum GP but later advanced in her career...
purposely drove a wedge between Sarah and her crush TK. The two set up a clinic in 2010 and Sarah later readmitted her love, causing a one night stand before Sarah left the country. Upon her unexpected arrival, Sarah announced she was pregnant with TK's child and she loved him. However TK had moved on with Roimata
Roimata Ngatai
Roimata Ngatai is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She is portrayed by Shavaughn Ruakere and has been on the soap since January 2011...
and despite feelings for Sarah, announced it was over forever.
Billing acknowledged that TK and Roimata have good chemistry but praised TK and Sarah's possible rekindling saying; "Roimata and TK make a really good couple but Sarah and TK were really good too and wouldn't it be great for them to be a family?"
Multiple Sclerosis
After suggesting her character have a sickness storyline, Billing was notified Sarah was to undergo a storyline where she is diagnosed with multiple sclerosisMultiple 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...
. Producer Jason Daniel explained the situation; "As a continuing serial Shortland Street has the ability to explore situations and issues in considerable depth over long periods – and this is what we intend to do with Sarah’s multiple sclerosis." In mid 2008, Sarah started to realize she was suffering from an illness which began to gradually affect her work. Ex boyfriend Craig Valentine
Craig Valentine
Dr. Craig Valentine is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Renato Bartolomei for four years from May 2004 to September 2008....
diagnosed Sarah with multiple sclerosis, a fact Sarah kept kidden from husband, TK. The illness starts to seriously affect Sarah's fast paced job as a consultant in the Emergency Department. Sarah later reveals to TK the truth about her illness and TK goes into overdrive, changing her meal plans and exercise routines. Sarah begun to attend MS support groups but struggled to come to terms with how sick she may become. Despite finally being award head of ED, Sarah realized she had to resign as a result of her eventual inability to perform such a fast paced job. Sarah also realizes her new pregnancy makes her MS symptoms stronger and is forced to terminate the baby. In late 2009 Sarah has a relapse in her MS symptoms, confirming her suspicion she will never heal and it will affect her chance of having children, causing her to leave TK. She has another relapse in mid 2010, cementing her relationship with Maxwell
Maxwell Avia
Maxwell Avia is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Robbie Magasiva. Maxwell debuted on-screen on 19 June 2009.-Creation and casting:...
. In November 2010 Sarah leaves Ferndale, having won a position in a MS research team in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. However upon her return, she is finally pregnant. Once having given birth to daughter, Tillie in July 2011, Sarah has another relapse in her symptoms and begins to fear for her ability to mother Tillie. In September, Sarah's condition appears to be in remission but she suddenly has a severe attack, losing control of her speech, legs and arms, with Tillie unsupervised. The traumatic experience leads Sarah to teafully hand over custody of Tillie to TK and Roimata. With little ability to move, Sarah is taken to rehab.
To accurately portray the symptoms of MS, Billing researched heavily, including using the internet, medical advisers and the advice of a friend with the illness. Billing enjoyed playing the relapses, stating; "Sarah's Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis has meant when she has a relapse, I'm telling the story of people living with the condition. It makes work less 'soapy' and more realistic, more meaningful."
Reception
The character has been highly praised, winning best female character in the Throng Shortland Street Fan Awards 2006. However in the same awards she also won "Character you'd most like to kill off" and "Most boring storyline". The character has also received a lot of dislike with Billing stating the role takes a toll and; "one doesn’t like to play a character that people don’t have a lot of sympathy for. Shes a good doctor but she’s a but useless in her private life." In November 2006, Fiona Rae of The Listener magazine, criticized the storyliners of the show, suggesting they had turned Sarah: "into a self-absorbed witch with a “b”. Fortunately for us, she does a mean drunk and gets to embarrass herself heaps."She was called "popular" by producer Jason Daniel in 2008. Billing herself reflected on the strong nature of her character, referring to her as "stroppy". Billing received a nomination in the New Zealand TV Guide Best on the Box awards 2011 for "Best Actress", losing out to 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:...
for her role in Outrageous Fortune
Outrageous Fortune (TV series)
Outrageous Fortune was a New Zealand comedy/drama television series, which was created by James Griffin and Rachel Lang and was produced by South Pacific Pictures...
. Billing also received a nomination for "Best Actress" at the 2007 Air New Zealand Screen awards. Again losing out to Malcolm.
The character's diagnosis with 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...
has also helped educate New Zealanders about the illness. Sufferers of multiple sclerosis praised the show, pleasing producer Jason Daniel who said; "The story has already examined the impact her diagnosis has on her personally and professionally. And in the future it will explore how she learns to live with her MS. I’m very pleased that the MS Society approves of our efforts so far, and I hope that audiences will continue to find Sarah’s story inspiring and uplifting."
The July 2011 90 minute episode which concluded with Sarah giving birth, received incredibly high ratings with an audience of 834,200. Billing offered an opinion on the reason as to why Sarah's storyline concerning her daughter was so well received, saying; "When theres children involved, and love and illness, it gets really hard and I think the audience loves that." Producer, Steven Zanoski suggested part of the reason for the episodes success was the song Billing released as part of the marketing towards the Winter Season.