Chris Warner
Affectionately referred to by fans and the media as "Dr. Love", Chris made his first appearance in the show's first episode by having an affair with his aerobics instructor. This was an infamous and controversial scene. Portrayed as spoiled and from a wealthy family that inherited the hospital that was founded by his father, the character of Chris was characterised by his patronising and illicit manner; contrasted in a 1994 storyline where he became addicted to morphine. Known primarily for romance storyliness, Chris has been married five times and participated in over 20 romances as well as fathering six children. Chris was the first member of the Warner family to join the show and he was joined by half brother Guy Warner (Craig Parker). In later years, Chris became the patriarch of a family unit made up of his sons Harry (Reid Walker) and Phoenix (Geordie Holibar). Chris has been involved in several high profile and highly rated storylines; including a 1994 car crash, nearly getting murdered by his brother in law Dominic Thompson (Shane Cortese), losing his wife to his drug-addicted brother Guy, and ending up in jail after being framed for murder.
List of Shortland Street characters (2015)
Virginia Laidlaw (also McCaskill) made her first appearance on 26 October 2015, portrayed by Serena Cotton. She is the ex-wife of Drew McCaskill. She arrived in town to see her husband for a divorce and she stole his new car. Later on, they made up and decided to have a clean fresh start. A few days later, Rachel McKenna was looking for a temp PA after Bella Durville is on maternity leave after giving birth so she offered Virginia for the job much to the surprise to Drew. She decided to leave after Bella's daughter, Stevie recovered from her surgery, having confronted by McCaskill to formally sever ties. She threw a flower pot at Drew (and missed) after he tried to send money to her for her break. After counselling, she is in amicable terms with Drew, and sent him home after he is discharged from hospital, but is no longer working for Shortland Street later to become a PA for Fentich, a medical research company. Virginia returned to Shortland Street as a member of the DHB. In the weeks leading to the 2017 finale, it is revealed her fiancée has been beating her and she confides in Chris and they share a kiss, Which is later posted online from a hidden camera in his office. She then finds out her fiancée Adam is planning to take Chris down. In the finale for 2017 she is knocked out and bleeding at the bottom of Chris staircase, leaving her fate ambiguous leading going into 2018. It was later revealed that Adam pushed her down the stairs as he was sent to prison. Virginia departed Ferndale in the hope for a fresh start.