Nurse Steve Mills | |||||||||
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Shortland Street character | |||||||||
Portrayed by | Andrew Binns | ||||||||
Duration | 1992–94 | ||||||||
First appearance | 25 May 1992 episode 1 |
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Last appearance | 25 March 1994 episode 480 |
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Introduced by | Caterina De Nave | ||||||||
Classification | Past; Regular | ||||||||
Profile | |||||||||
Occupation | Nurse | ||||||||
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Father | Declan Kennedy |
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Stepmother | Carrie Burton |
Brothers | Kieran Kennedy |
Sisters | Jessica Kennedy |
Steve Mills (previously Kennedy) is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was portrayed by Andrew Binns and was part of the original core cast.
The character appeared in the first ever episode and stayed on the soap for two years, leaving the show in a dramatic fashion, exploding in a car crash alongside best friend Sam's (Rene Naufahu) wife T.P Aleni (Elizabeth Skeen). His death is remembered as one of the most iconic deaths on the soap's history. The character was largely used for comedic relief, developing into more dramatic storylines as he neared his death. Initial storylines saw the clumsy Steve fall head over heels for beautiful nurse Sarah Donnelly (Madeleine Lynch) and his subsequent depression at her death. His final storyline saw Steve try to overcome the growing attraction to his step mother and boss Carrie Burton (Lisa Crittenden) and denial that her children were not his.
Steve has been described as "lovable" and a Shortland Street "favorite". His comedy has since set a benchmark on the soap, with many characters based on his original sensitive new age characterisation including; Lionel Skeggins (John Leigh). Mike Galloway (Oliver Driver) and Kip Denton (Will Hall).
Steve is introduced in May 1992 as the prankster nurse and flatmate to Sam Aleni (Rene Naufahu). Steve works under the reign of the mercilessly bossy Carrie Burton (Lisa Crittenden) and has a huge crush on Alison Raynor (Danielle Cormack). Steve is thrilled when Alison moves in but after the two share a kiss, they remain friends. Always loyal to Steve is his pet dog Killer, but disaster strikes in late 1992 when Killer is diagnosed with diabetes. Steve falls for Sarah Donnelly (Madeleine Lynch) and the two start to date. Sarah reveals she has cancer however and dies in Steve's arms at her birthday party.