Nicole Miller (Shortland Street)

Nicole Miller
Shortland Street character
Portrayed by	Sally Martin
Introduced by	Steven Zanoski
Duration	2009 - present
First appearance	23 September 2009 episode 4338
Classification	Present; Regular
Profile
Occupation	Theatre Nurse
Family Mother Leanne Miller Brothers Eric Miller Half sisters Morgan Braithwaite Nephews William Watson Nieces Catherine Watson Elizabeth Watson

Nicole Miller is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She has been portrayed by Sally Martin since September 2009, arriving as a potential love interest for Maia Jeffries (Anna Jullienne) and unknown sister to Morgan Braithwaite (Bonnie Soper).

Arriving as a nurse at Shortland Street Hospital, it was not long before the hospital staff realized Nicole was a heavy partier and also a bisexual. Her party girl behavior caused extreme friction between her and long term girlfriend Maia, eventually causing Maia to stray from the relationship. Her personality blended well with half sister Morgan and the two would often be seen partying in 'The IV' alongside Daniel Potts (Ido Drent). She also got on with Maxwell Avia (Robbie Magasiva) and the two started to date in 2011. Nicole has a frosty relationship with her homophobic and racist mother Leanne (Jennifer Ludlam), however shares a tight closeness with schizophrenic brother Eric (Mick Andrews) and her Alzheimer effected grandmother.

Character

Casting

After previously auditioning for four other roles, Sally Martin was cast but was devastated to learn she had to cut her hair.^[1] Martin was pleased in 2011 when the producer's announced they were considering allowing her to grow her hair long again.^[2]

Introduction

In August 2009 it was announced that a new bisexual nurse would be arriving to the show and she would have a dark secret. It was later announced she was Morgan Braithwaite's sister.

Storylines

2009-

Nicole arrives to Shortland Street in September 2009 and quickly gains the attraction of lesbian nurse Maia Jeffries (Anna Jullienne). Nicole is shown to be obsessed with Morgan Braithwaite (Bonnie Soper) and Maia suspects Nicole has a crush on her. Morgan's best friends Hunter (Lee Donoghue) and Gerald Tippett (Harry McNaughton) feel isolated by Nicole and suspect she may have sinister intentions. Morgan eventually confronted Nicole about this only to learn she is her half sister. Despite initial hesitation, the two become good friends and Hunter and Gerald come to accept her, despite Nicole's family not wanting Morgan at their father's grave laying. Nicole and Maia start to see each other socially but do not agree on several major things such as the fact Maia is a murderer.

After Morgan is killed, Nicole becomes depressed and starts drinking heavily. At the wake, she attacks the apparent killer Rachel McKenna (Angela Bloomfield) and tries to jump into bed with Maia. They eventually settle into a relationship, but Nicole prefers going out while Maia prefers nights in and Nicole gets sick of competing with the lasting image of Maia's ex wife Jay Copeland (Jaime Passier-Armstrong). She skips town in early March, resigning from the hospital. Maia and Gerald visit Nicole in her hometown of Tauranga and Maia forces Nicole to come out to her mother Leanne (Jennifer Ludlam). Nicole and Maia make up and return to Ferndale. Nicole has a brief alteration with Maia's mother Yvonne (Alison Quigan) but the relationship lasts. In November the two become good friends with new surgeon Jennifer Mason (Sara Wiseman).

In 2011 Nicole discovers that Maia cheated on her with Jennifer and Maia breaks up with her. Maia decides to leave the country and Nicole is seconds too late to readmit her love. She soon starts a relationship with Maxwell Avia (Robbie Magasiva) which causes friction between her and Maxwell's ex wife Vasa (Teuila Blakely).

References

1. ^ "Shortie's Sally Martin: Fifth Time lucky". New Idea. http://nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com/new-idea/star-watch/article/-/6808431/shortie-s-sally-martin-fifth-time-lucky/. Retrieved October 2011. 
2. ^ New Zealand TV Guide | 11 August 2011