Actor Michael Galvin is Shortland Street’s longest-serving actor, having played Dr Chris Warner on the soap for most of its 20 years.

During that time on the show, his character has survived four marriages, drug-dealing, an emergency tracheotomy, and earned the title ‘Dr Love’.

Actor Michael Galvin is Shortland Street’s longest-serving actor, having played Dr Chris Warner on the soap for most of its 20 years.

During that time on the show, his character has survived four marriages, drug-dealing, an emergency tracheotomy, and earned the title ‘Dr Love’.

Outside of Shortland Street, Galvin has written stage plays and appeared in TV series Cover Story and feature film The Climb.

Shortland Street celebrates 20 years of drama on 25 May.

In this ScreenTalk, Galvin talks about:

•     How a hangover may have helped get him the part on Shortland Street
•     His character Chris Warner being snobbish and a benevolent dictator
•     Keeping the show fresh by using a mix of storylines
•     Dismissing the idea of being a sex symbol
•     Being haunted by having to sing a rap song on the show
•     How Shortland Street has become an important part of our culture
•     Being freaked out on the set of TV drama Cover Story
•     Meeting his acting hero John Hurt on the set of movie The Climb
•     Being happy to remain on Shortland Street for as long as he can

This video is available on YouTube to embed and distribute via a Creative Commons licence.

NZ On Screen: Camera and Editing – Andrew Whiteside