Tama Hudson

Tama Hudson
Shortland Street character
Portrayed by David Wikaira-Paul
Duration 2001–06
First appearance 6 May 2001
Last appearance 18 May 2006
Created by Jason Daniel
Introduced by Simon Bennett
Classification Former; regular

Tama Hudson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by David Wikaira-Paul from 2001 to 2006.

Creation and casting

In 2000 an Australian consultant made several large changes to the show that would see a more working class hospital portrayed.[1] Tama, his parents Joe and Te Hana and sister Mihi were created because of this.[2][3] As part of the revamp, producers wished for a more community based cast with established family links, mimicking the past presence of the Warner and McKenna families.[1][4] Nineteen-year-old David Wikaira-Paul was cast in the role.[2] In 2006 the character was axed alongside 5 other characters as part of a revamp.[5] The revamp was an attempt to create a culturally proportional cast after the exit of the only Pacific Islander, Pua Magasiva.[6]

Storylines

Tama arrived alongside his family in 2001 but it was soon clear to his friend Delphi (Anna Hutchison) that Tama enjoyed music a lot more than he did playing rugby as his father Joe (Rawiri Paratene) wished. Tama began to secretly date his sisters best friend Shannon Te Ngaru (Amber Cureen) and the two started a physical relationship that landed Shannon pregnant. The two decided to adopt their baby out at birth and reconciled, but the baby boy died shortly after birth and the relationship fell apart. However, when Shannon attempted suicide and Tama nearly died in a building collapse, the two decided to commit to a future together ad got engaged. Despite appearing happy, whilst Tama was away Shannon started an affair with Vinnie Kruse (Pua Magasiva) and the two later broke up only to reconcile and get engaged once again. The two married on Christmas Day 2004 and replaced the missing wedding rings with beach shells. In 2005 the two took in Tama's troublesome cousin Eti Kawaka (Isaac Bell) and Shannon again fell pregnant, giving birth to Rangimarie Hudson (Mia Curreen-Poko) in May. However, it soon became clear Shannon was unhappy and she again strayed from Tama with his cousin Whetu (Taungaroa Emile) and the two separated for good. Tama and Shannon fought for custody of Rangimarie and ended up on agreeing to Shannon being sole guardian. In mid-2006 Tama left Ferndale to live with his family.

Reception

Producer Simon Bennett did not enjoy the introduction of the Hudson family, stating: "With the best will in the world the intention to introduce a down on their luck Maori family who moved from the country to the city came across as mawkish and somewhat PC in flavour."[7] Playing Tama reportedly earned Wikaira-Paul huge popularity, especially amongst young audiences and he received the most fan mail.[8][9] Parents of the young viewers reportedly hoped everything would work out for Tama.[9] Tama and Shannon were also a hugely popular couple with fans constantly hoping the two would have a happy ending.[9] The love triangle storyline between Tama, Shannon and Vinnie was singled out as a favourite romance storyline from the 2004 season.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 Cleave, Louisa (5 April 2001). "Shortland Street gets real". The New Zealand Herald. APN News & Media. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  2. 1 2 Cleave, Louisa (5 April 2001). "Shortland Street's new faces". The New Zealand Herald. APN News & Media.
  3. ↑ Cleave, Louisa (7 May 2001). "Shortland Street gets large dose of PC". The New Zealand Herald. APN News & Media.
  4. ↑ "Shortland Street: The 10 best tales". The New Zealand Herald. Fairfax Media. May 2002.
  5. ↑ Cook, Stephen (20 August 2006). "Dumped actress throws hissy fit and goes Awol from set in protest". The New Zealand Herald. APN News & Media.
  6. ↑ Ming Mok, Tze (7 July 2006). "Shortland Street's ethnic cleansing is a relief to us all". Sunday Star Times. Fairfax Media.
  7. ↑ "Star likes Dr Warner's medicine". stuff.co.nz. Fairfax Media. 4 June 2008.
  8. ↑ "David Wikaira-Paul". Pop's Ultimate Star. Television New Zealand. 2005. Archived from the original on 23 June 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 "Street Kids". Shortland Street. Television New Zealand. 2004. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012.
  10. ↑ Barry, Rebecca (December 2004). "Return to the shaky aisles on Shortland Street". The New Zealand Herald. APN News & Media. Retrieved November 2011. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
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