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 (2005)
Alice Piper appeared from late 2005 to mid 2009. Alice was hired as a nurse at the hospital and instantly got off to a bad foot when she kissed married man, Tama Hudson (David Wikaira-Paul). In the following months, she had an affair with Tania Jeffries' (Faye Smythes) lover Mark Weston (Tim Foley), again putting her off guard with the staff. Alice's party ways died down in 2007 when she settled down with her former employer as a nanny, Craig Valentine (Renato Bartolomei). The age difference proved difficult however especially with the arrival of her former flame Kip Denton (Will Hall). After being kidnapped and nearly murdered by the Ferndale Strangler, Alice took up heavy drinking and had a one-night stand with Guy Warner (Craig Parker). Craig proposed to Alice but when she revealed she was pregnant and it may not be his, the two broke up. Alice gave birth to her daughter severely premature and nearly reconciled with Craig, only for him to be brutally murdered. Alice's daughter died not soon after. Alice began to date Ethan Pierce (Owen Black) but realised he was recording them in bed, resulting in her being arrested for his murder. However it turned out Alices best friend Maia Jeffries (Anna Jullienne) was the true culprit and Alice helped her cover up the death, whilst also sharing a potential romance. Alice briefly dated Xavier Moyo (Brian Manthenga) but ultimately ended up falling back in love with Kip and moving to Rarotonga with him.