Vinnie Kruse
Encyclopedia
Vinnie Kruse is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street
, played by Pua Magasiva
. Vinnie is a nurse who is shown to have a love of partying and socializing. Vinnie first arrived on 25 November 2003, leaving the show on 23 February 2006. He made a return to the soap after a 5 year gap on 16 August 2011.
Magasiva's older brother Robbie
also acts on the soap in the role of Dr. Maxwell Avia
. Onscreen the two characters are cousins.
joined the cast in late 2003 as the playboy joker, Vinnie Kruse. The character was said to bring rebellion to the nurses and Magasiva was pleased at how the character portrayed Pacific Islanders, stating; "He is very typical, but that's the way some of us are. We're being real people, I'm trying to be a real Samoan person, not trying to pretend to be someone else but just to be myself." The character departed in early 2006 and early reports suggested he was axed as part of a large cast overhaul at the time, however this was not the case. Magasiva had really grown sick of the role and quit.
) hired Vinnie in late 2003 and he instantly got on the other nurses nerves with his party boy ways. In 2004 Vinnie started an affair with good friend Tama's (David Wikaira-Paul
) girlfriend Shannon Te Ngaru (Amber Curreen). The two went public but Vinnie realized she loved Tama more and they broke up.
Following Shannon, Vinnie struggled to maintain a relationship but a chance meeting with tourist, Jemima (Liesha Ward-Knox) set off a spark with Vinnie and the two dated. Jemima fell pregnant, scaring Vinnie and the two broke up. However in 2006 the lure of being a father proved too much and Vinnie traveled to England to live with Jemima and his child.
Vinnie returned to Shortland Street in August 2011 and quickly gained a job. He revealed to good friend Nicole (Sally Martin
) that he had lost his son in a custody battle with Jemima and struggled to cope with the loss. Vinnie was impressed by "Ice Queen" Brooke Freeman
(Beth Allen
) and the odd couple started to date in November.
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...
, played by Pua Magasiva
Pua Magasiva
Pua Magasiva is a Samoan New Zealand actor, who is perhaps known for his roles as Shane Clarke, the Red Ranger from Power Rangers: Ninja Storm, and Nurse Vinnie Kruse in New Zealand soap Shortland Street.-Biography:...
. Vinnie is a nurse who is shown to have a love of partying and socializing. Vinnie first arrived on 25 November 2003, leaving the show on 23 February 2006. He made a return to the soap after a 5 year gap on 16 August 2011.
Magasiva's older brother Robbie
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...
also acts on the soap in the role of Dr. 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:...
. Onscreen the two characters are cousins.
Creation and casting
Pua MagasivaPua Magasiva
Pua Magasiva is a Samoan New Zealand actor, who is perhaps known for his roles as Shane Clarke, the Red Ranger from Power Rangers: Ninja Storm, and Nurse Vinnie Kruse in New Zealand soap Shortland Street.-Biography:...
joined the cast in late 2003 as the playboy joker, Vinnie Kruse. The character was said to bring rebellion to the nurses and Magasiva was pleased at how the character portrayed Pacific Islanders, stating; "He is very typical, but that's the way some of us are. We're being real people, I'm trying to be a real Samoan person, not trying to pretend to be someone else but just to be myself." The character departed in early 2006 and early reports suggested he was axed as part of a large cast overhaul at the time, however this was not the case. Magasiva had really grown sick of the role and quit.
Return
In June 2011 it was announced that Vinnie would be returning as part of the build up towards the shows 20th anniversary in May 2012.Storylines
Judy Brownlee (Donogh ReesDonogh Rees
Donogh Rees is a New Zealand actress. She starred in the long-running soap opera Shortland Street as director of nursing Judy Brownlee from 2001-6....
) hired Vinnie in late 2003 and he instantly got on the other nurses nerves with his party boy ways. In 2004 Vinnie started an affair with good friend Tama's (David Wikaira-Paul
David Wikaira-Paul
David Wikaira-Paul played Tama Hudson on New Zealand television series Shortland Street.-Biography:David joined the cast of Shortland Street in 2001 to play fresh-faced 14-year-old Tama Hudson, a high school student. David himself had already left school and completed a year of tertiary education...
) girlfriend Shannon Te Ngaru (Amber Curreen). The two went public but Vinnie realized she loved Tama more and they broke up.
Following Shannon, Vinnie struggled to maintain a relationship but a chance meeting with tourist, Jemima (Liesha Ward-Knox) set off a spark with Vinnie and the two dated. Jemima fell pregnant, scaring Vinnie and the two broke up. However in 2006 the lure of being a father proved too much and Vinnie traveled to England to live with Jemima and his child.
Vinnie returned to Shortland Street in August 2011 and quickly gained a job. He revealed to good friend Nicole (Sally Martin
Sally Martin
Sally Erana Martin is an actress from New Zealand.She has appeared in a range of television series, including The Strip, Shortland Street and in Power Rangers: Ninja Storm as Tori Hanson/the Blue Wind Ninja Ranger....
) that he had lost his son in a custody battle with Jemima and struggled to cope with the loss. Vinnie was impressed by "Ice Queen" 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 the odd couple started to date in November.