Keeping up with the Street's Joneses

[downstage]

Keeping up with the Street's Joneses

NZ Herald - Wednesday November 22, 2006

By Joanna Hunkin

Shortland Street actress Laurie Foell will not return to the soap opera set next year - but her character Justine Jones will live on.

South Pacific Pictures, which makes the show, said Foell's departure was a "mutual decision by the actor and the producers".

Foell, who formerly starred on Australian soap Home and Away, will be replaced by New Zealand actress Lucy Wigmore, making Jones the first Shortland Street character to be played by multiple actors.

Wigmore will take over when production resumes in January. Foell is expected to return to her native Australia.

An experienced theatre actor, Wigmore trained at Toi Whakaari-New Zealand Drama School. Shortland Street will be Wigmore's first ongoing television role.

Shortland Street producer Jason Daniel said Justine Jones was a popular character, central to both current and upcoming storylines, hence the decision to recast the role.

Although it is the first recasting for Shortland Street, it is a common practice in soap operas and long-running series around the world.

British soap Coronation Street has seen four incarnations of the core character Tracey Barlow since she was introduced in 1977.

Shortland Street was named Favourite New Zealand Show at the 2006 Qantas Television Awards on Saturday night.

[claire_louise]

Oh, that's a surprise. Does anyone know why she's leaving?

[MarthaJackFan]

It says that she misses Aussie, when i saw this i was like yay Justine Jones is leaving because i dont want Chris to cheat on Toni with her!!!

But shes being replaced!!!

[ter06]

So the door is open for Josie Russell to return...

[Guest]

I love Justine Jones she my fave and I am glad she still on the show but it will be sad to see Laurie leave

[Lise]

I hate recasts...I would rather that they just get rid of the character.

Justine is good quality though. I really want to know where her and Callum's kids are though?

[Mez83]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Well that sucks. It doesn't leave the door open for Laurie to come back as anything. That stinks.

[ste]

It leaves the door open for Josie to return, of course. Last we heard she was living in America.... big deal! Heard of planes?

[Pierced Musie]

Perhaps she is set to return.

[emmasi]

What would Josie have to come back for though? Tasha was her last link to the bay.