New Zealand's longest-running soap Shortland Street coming to UK screens for free with STV player

New Zealand’s longest-running medical drama is coming to UK screens on STV Player.

Shortland Street first launched in May 1992 and has aired continuously since then on state broadcaster TVNZ.

The “cultural phenomenon” is finally coming to UK screens, with STV Player airing three brand new episodes on Monday, February 17.

The series follows staff working at Shortland Street Hospital in the fictional Auckland suburb of Ferndale and all the drama they face on a daily basis, both in their professional and personal lives.

Shortland Street will air every Monday from February 17. STV News

New episodes of the show will air every Monday in line with its New Zealand broadcast, meaning new UK fans can join the already well-established community down under.

The show has been a training ground for dozens of Kiwi stars who’ve gone on to enjoy major international screen success, including Riverdale star KJ Apa, Karl Urban who starred in Star Trek and The Boys as well as Temuera Morrison from The Mandalorian.

Michael Galvin, who is the longest-serving soap actor in New Zealand having played the character of Dr Chris Warner in Shortland Street since its first episode, said: “Kia ora, UK! I’m absolutely thrilled to hear that Shortland Street is coming to your shores.

Michael Galvin, who is the longest-serving soap actor in New Zealand playing Dr Chris Warner in Shortland Street since its first episode. STV News

“This little show of ours has become such a huge part of the culture here in New Zealand over the last 33 years, and to know that it’s now going to be part of the British soap landscape alongside legendary shows like Coronation Street and Emmerdale is a real honour,” he added.

“Strap yourselves in, because if there’s one thing I can tell you about Shorty, it’s that drama is never more than a heartbeat away.”

Discussing STV Player’s acquisition of Shortland Street, Richard Williams, managing director of digital at STV, said the show had become a “cultural phenomenon” and adding it to the streaming service was a “major” milestone.

“The show is a magical blend of ‘just-one-more-episode’ drama, good-natured humour, warmth and topicality – everything we know STV Player viewers look for when choosing their next TV obsession,” he said.

Shortland Street first launched in May 1992 and has aired continuously since then on state broadcaster, TVNZ. STV News

“With Doctors concluding last year, there’s a gap in the telly market for a regular medical drama. We think Shortland Street has all the ingredients to not only fill that void, but also find its own distinctive place in viewers’ hearts among the British and Australian soaps they already know and love.”

Amanda Stevens, VP global digital partnerships at All3Media International, added: “We are thrilled to partner with STV Player to launch the brand new season of the iconic medical soap, Shortland Street.

“There’ll be new cast members, intense storylines, and three explosive new episodes available every week – NewBlood!”

She continued: “The STV Player team are brilliant at identifying content that resonates with their audience and building loyal fanbases.

“In the last couple of years, we’ve seen huge engagement with titles like Brookside and Red Rock, which are also available to view on an AVOD basis on STV Player.”

Shortland Street will premier on STV Player on Monday, February 17.