Nicholas John Harrison is a fictional character on the New Zealand
soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by Karl Burnett from the
show's second episode in 1992 to 2005, making him the original
character to stay with the show the longest in one stint. The
character along with wife Waverley returned for the show's 25th
anniversary that aired on 25 May 2017.Whilst creating the soap what
was to become, Shortland Street, Caterina De Nave decided to write
teenagers into the show so as to draw in a younger demographic. It was
decided to have two teenagers, one being Stuart Neilson â€" an
articulate homosexual and the other Nick Harrison â€" a drug taking
rebel. The two characters were set to be heart throbs and auditions
were undertaken for the roles. Sixteen-year-old Karl Burnett whose
only other experience was the 1991 film When Love Comes and high
school drama classes won the role. Milan Borich got into the final
stages of auditioning but instead landed the role of Nick's best
friend in the show's first week. Burnett's portrayal of Nick proved to
be greatly different than the spunky rebel that had been envisioned
and writers began to develop Nick into a more comedic and clumsy
character. This worried producers who were scared that the soaps only
heart throb was gay and they requested the character of Stuart also be
rewritten to be heterosexual. The character of Nick made his debut in
the show's second episode on 26 May 1992.In 2005, after 13 years on
the show, the character of Nick was axed by producers alongside wife,
Waverley Harrison (Claire Chitham). The network reportedly did not
think the characters were any longer an "asset" to the show. The
Harrison family made their last appearance on 17 March 2005. Burnett
was not surprised at his character's axing and had been ready to move
on from the role. Though he was not opposed to returning to the soap
for one or two guest appearances, he did not think he would be asked
back. Burnett stayed with the show in the role of a boom operator
behind the scenes. In 2012, Burnett admitted that he had not been
asked to return for the show's 20th anniversary. Following an online
campaign and petition to reinstate Nick in 2014, Burnett commented
that he was open and willing to return. In honour of the show's 25th
anniversary in 2017, Burnett was asked to reprise his role alongside
Chitham. The two filmed an appearance for the feature length special
which Burnett commented was, "definitely going to be a fun watch".
Burnett made his reappearance on 25 May 2017.
soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by Karl Burnett from the
show's second episode in 1992 to 2005, making him the original
character to stay with the show the longest in one stint. The
character along with wife Waverley returned for the show's 25th
anniversary that aired on 25 May 2017.Whilst creating the soap what
was to become, Shortland Street, Caterina De Nave decided to write
teenagers into the show so as to draw in a younger demographic. It was
decided to have two teenagers, one being Stuart Neilson â€" an
articulate homosexual and the other Nick Harrison â€" a drug taking
rebel. The two characters were set to be heart throbs and auditions
were undertaken for the roles. Sixteen-year-old Karl Burnett whose
only other experience was the 1991 film When Love Comes and high
school drama classes won the role. Milan Borich got into the final
stages of auditioning but instead landed the role of Nick's best
friend in the show's first week. Burnett's portrayal of Nick proved to
be greatly different than the spunky rebel that had been envisioned
and writers began to develop Nick into a more comedic and clumsy
character. This worried producers who were scared that the soaps only
heart throb was gay and they requested the character of Stuart also be
rewritten to be heterosexual. The character of Nick made his debut in
the show's second episode on 26 May 1992.In 2005, after 13 years on
the show, the character of Nick was axed by producers alongside wife,
Waverley Harrison (Claire Chitham). The network reportedly did not
think the characters were any longer an "asset" to the show. The
Harrison family made their last appearance on 17 March 2005. Burnett
was not surprised at his character's axing and had been ready to move
on from the role. Though he was not opposed to returning to the soap
for one or two guest appearances, he did not think he would be asked
back. Burnett stayed with the show in the role of a boom operator
behind the scenes. In 2012, Burnett admitted that he had not been
asked to return for the show's 20th anniversary. Following an online
campaign and petition to reinstate Nick in 2014, Burnett commented
that he was open and willing to return. In honour of the show's 25th
anniversary in 2017, Burnett was asked to reprise his role alongside
Chitham. The two filmed an appearance for the feature length special
which Burnett commented was, "definitely going to be a fun watch".
Burnett made his reappearance on 25 May 2017.
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