Te Koha "TK" Samuels is a fictional character in New Zealand's longest
running soap opera Shortland Street, played by actor Benjamin Mitchell
since early 2006.The character of Huia Samuels' (Nicola Kawana) cousin
TK was envisioned in a time of immense change for Shortland Street;
the arrival of a new producer on the show saw a large cast overhaul
including the exit of the soap's only Pacific Islander, Vinnie Kruse
(Pua Magasiva) and the axing of three of the shows MÄ ori characters,
Tama (David Wikaira-Paul, Shannon (Amber Cureen) and Rangimarie Hudson
(Mia Cureen-Poko). The only other two MÄ ori characters dealt very
little with cultural issues and so it was decided to introduce a new
character who was deeply passionate about his heritage. Former "Mr.
New Zealand" Benjamin Mitchell had been preparing himself for a role
on the soap for three years, stating: "I really want to be on the
street. It seems to be everyone takes you seriously on there."
Mitchell had previously portrayed a reporter in a guest role in 2000.
In 2005 he finally auditioned for the show, aiming for the part of the
new doctor, TK Samuels. He decided that if he did not win the role, he
would give up on acting and pursue another career. Although he
believed he had done poorly, after several takes Mitchell won the role
and stated, "There will be a few people who go, 'I know that guy, my
gosh he's on Shortland Street, I didn't know he was doing this...last
time I saw him he was punching bags in his garage trying to be the
champ of the world.'" In 2005 producer Jason Daniel, promised a "fresh
dynamic" would be arriving to the show with the introduction of
several new characters, such as "spunky young doctor" TK. TK made his
debut on the episode airing 26 January 2006. Mitchell enjoyed the
freedom the role created for him, "Your creativity is really
heightened; you produce results faster. That's a great thing that
working here teaches you." Following the introduction of TK, the
MÄ ori presence on the show was equally measured for the television
network's charter to portray MÄ ori perspectives. In 2013 Mitchell
stated that he was "content" with staying on the show for the
foreseeable future. Following surgery on his shoulder in mid 2015,
Mitchell struggled to appear mobilised on screen and storylines were
rewritten to incorporate his injury into the show.TK arrived to the
hospital in 2006 to greet his cousin Huia (Nicola Kawana) and the
immature doctor quickly gained a job in the Emergency Department much
to the annoyance of Sarah Potts (Amanda Billing). TK also got a job in
another clinic and briefly dated the receptionist Holly (Miriama
McDowell) before he realised he was in love with Sarah. After moving
to the GP clinic he and Sarah got together and married in 2007,
shortly after TK reconciled with his estranged mother Liz (Rima Te
Wiata). TK and Sarah's relationship turned sour when Sarah ditched the
honeymoon but they soon decided to have children. TK supported Sarah
through her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and their happiness at
Sarah's pregnancy was short lived when she was forced to have a
termination after the fetus proved to be ill. TK moved back to ED and
with the ever looming problem of children in the relationship, Sarah
left TK and he had a brief rebound fling with Brooke Freeman (Beth
Allen). TK went on to date Tania Jeffries (Faye Smythe) and Jennifer
Mason (Sara Wiseman) but as 2010 ended, TK and Sarah readmitted their
love and had a one-night stand before Sarah left Ferndale. TK began to
date Roimata Ngatai (Shavaughn Ruakere) in the following months but
was shocked when Sarah returned, pregnant with his child. TK hastily
proposed to Roimata however the wedding was called off due to the
sudden birth of his daughter Matilda Mareikura "Tillie" Potts (Nathan
Anderson). TK and Roimata later married in an unofficial ceremony,
with a fern leaf replacing the ring.
running soap opera Shortland Street, played by actor Benjamin Mitchell
since early 2006.The character of Huia Samuels' (Nicola Kawana) cousin
TK was envisioned in a time of immense change for Shortland Street;
the arrival of a new producer on the show saw a large cast overhaul
including the exit of the soap's only Pacific Islander, Vinnie Kruse
(Pua Magasiva) and the axing of three of the shows MÄ ori characters,
Tama (David Wikaira-Paul, Shannon (Amber Cureen) and Rangimarie Hudson
(Mia Cureen-Poko). The only other two MÄ ori characters dealt very
little with cultural issues and so it was decided to introduce a new
character who was deeply passionate about his heritage. Former "Mr.
New Zealand" Benjamin Mitchell had been preparing himself for a role
on the soap for three years, stating: "I really want to be on the
street. It seems to be everyone takes you seriously on there."
Mitchell had previously portrayed a reporter in a guest role in 2000.
In 2005 he finally auditioned for the show, aiming for the part of the
new doctor, TK Samuels. He decided that if he did not win the role, he
would give up on acting and pursue another career. Although he
believed he had done poorly, after several takes Mitchell won the role
and stated, "There will be a few people who go, 'I know that guy, my
gosh he's on Shortland Street, I didn't know he was doing this...last
time I saw him he was punching bags in his garage trying to be the
champ of the world.'" In 2005 producer Jason Daniel, promised a "fresh
dynamic" would be arriving to the show with the introduction of
several new characters, such as "spunky young doctor" TK. TK made his
debut on the episode airing 26 January 2006. Mitchell enjoyed the
freedom the role created for him, "Your creativity is really
heightened; you produce results faster. That's a great thing that
working here teaches you." Following the introduction of TK, the
MÄ ori presence on the show was equally measured for the television
network's charter to portray MÄ ori perspectives. In 2013 Mitchell
stated that he was "content" with staying on the show for the
foreseeable future. Following surgery on his shoulder in mid 2015,
Mitchell struggled to appear mobilised on screen and storylines were
rewritten to incorporate his injury into the show.TK arrived to the
hospital in 2006 to greet his cousin Huia (Nicola Kawana) and the
immature doctor quickly gained a job in the Emergency Department much
to the annoyance of Sarah Potts (Amanda Billing). TK also got a job in
another clinic and briefly dated the receptionist Holly (Miriama
McDowell) before he realised he was in love with Sarah. After moving
to the GP clinic he and Sarah got together and married in 2007,
shortly after TK reconciled with his estranged mother Liz (Rima Te
Wiata). TK and Sarah's relationship turned sour when Sarah ditched the
honeymoon but they soon decided to have children. TK supported Sarah
through her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and their happiness at
Sarah's pregnancy was short lived when she was forced to have a
termination after the fetus proved to be ill. TK moved back to ED and
with the ever looming problem of children in the relationship, Sarah
left TK and he had a brief rebound fling with Brooke Freeman (Beth
Allen). TK went on to date Tania Jeffries (Faye Smythe) and Jennifer
Mason (Sara Wiseman) but as 2010 ended, TK and Sarah readmitted their
love and had a one-night stand before Sarah left Ferndale. TK began to
date Roimata Ngatai (Shavaughn Ruakere) in the following months but
was shocked when Sarah returned, pregnant with his child. TK hastily
proposed to Roimata however the wedding was called off due to the
sudden birth of his daughter Matilda Mareikura "Tillie" Potts (Nathan
Anderson). TK and Roimata later married in an unofficial ceremony,
with a fern leaf replacing the ring.
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