Shortland Street arrives in the UK – and Claire Sweeney can’t get enough of its most viral moment

New Zealand’s biggest soap, Shortland Street, has finally arrived in the UK – and its most infamous moment is already making waves with British soap royalty.

Now streaming free on STV Player, the long-running medical drama is a Kiwi institution. But for many international fans, it’s best known for one unforgettable 2017 scene – when Dr. Chris Warner discovers his teenage son has been sending inappropriate photos.

The now-iconic line, ‘Please tell me that is not your penis?!’ catapulted the show to viral fame, even being parodied by Jimmy Kimmel and Alec Baldwin on US television.

Speaking to Claire Sweeney to mark Shortland Street’s UK launch, Michael Galvin, who has played Dr. Chris since the very first episode, reflected on the moment that changed his life.

‘People shout that at me on the streets,’ laughs Michael. ‘That’s my epitaph now, that’s going on my gravestone.’

After seeing the clip for the first time, Claire couldn’t contain her amusement. ‘I love that. After all the years of work and the hours you’ve put in, that’s your epitaph. That’s fantastic. It’s your legacy, isn’t it?’

Beyond its viral fame, Shortland Street is known in New Zealand for tackling hard-hitting, issue-based storylines. Michael explains, ‘Our writers have always taken it seriously, keeping it current and reflecting real-life concerns. Unlike the UK, where there are so many soaps, sometimes Shortland Street is the only drama being made in New Zealand, so we have a responsibility to reflect everything.’

The soap follows the lives of staff at Shortland Street Hospital in the fictional Auckland suburb of Ferndale, balancing personal and professional drama. Over the years, it’s launched the careers of Kiwi stars like Martin Henderson, KJ Apa, and Thomasin McKenzie, while even international icons like Ed Sheeran and Conan O’Brien have made cameo appearances.

Three new episodes of Shortland Street drop on STV Player every Monday, available across the UK on Sky Q, NOW, Virgin Media, Amazon Fire TV, and Freeview Play.