Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Jamie Forrest

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Portrayed by
  
Introduced by
  
Brian Lenanne

Occupation
  
Paramedic

TV show
  
Duration
  
1993–94

Classification
  
Former; recurring

Played by
  
Jamie Forrest httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediaenthumb3

First appearance
  
29 April 1993episode 244

Last appearance
  
22 February 1994; episode 457

Similar
  
Bruce Warner, Steve Mills, Moira Crombie, Oscar Henry, Michael McKenna

Jamie Forrest is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. The character was portrayed by Karl Urban for a guest stint in mid-1993 before returning later in the year for a 6-month recurring stint. The character is remembered as the first openly gay character on the show.

Contents

Creation and casting

In 1992 Shortland Street planned for character - Stuart Neilson to be gay however the plans fell through. Producers decided to break new ground by introducing the controversial character of gay paramedic - Jamie Forrest. The character appeared in a short guest stint before returning for a 6-month recurring stint.

Storylines

Jamie arrived to Shortland Street in 1993 and after childhood friend - Kirsty (Angela Dotchin) failed to attract Jamie, he revealed he was gay. He worked as a paramedic alongside Sam (Rene Naufahu) but was alienated due to his sexuality. The two made up and Jamie ended up leaving the hospital. He returned some months later and the teenage Jonathon McKenna (Kieren Hutchison) developed a crush on him that eventually evolved into a love affair. Jonathon's father Michael (Paul Gittins) was heavily against the two's relationship and ended up temporarily disowning his son. Michael saved the couple from a group of homophobes but the two ended up breaking up. Jamie found solace being an advocate for HIV and gay rights before he eventually reconciled with the ignorant Jonathon. However, when Jamie decided to move to Christchurch and travel the world, the two broke up and made peace.

Reception

Jamie is remembered as the first ever openly homosexual character on the show. His romance with Jonathon proved both controversial and groundbreaking. It helped educate New Zealanders on homosexuality and even helped a confused teenager accept his sexuality.

References

Jamie Forrest Wikipedia


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