Stephanie Wilkin

Stephanie Wilkin landed her first screen role in 1992 in the early weeks of Shortland Street, fresh from drama school Toi Whakaari. Her character of solo mother Doctor Meredith Fleming romanced Hone Ropata and Guy Warner. But she made her place in Kiwi screen history after returning to the show in 1994, and sharing New Zealand television's first same sex kiss, with nurse Annie Flynn (Rebecca Hobbs). Since her Shortland Street days, Wilkin has had roles in shorts, television and web series. Beyond the screen, Wilkin is an acting teacher, running workshops and directing theatre productions at the Artworks Theatre on Waiheke Island.

My character stood for equal rights for women and fought for marginalised groups. My ego was flattered that [viewers] not only believed I was a doctor, but also trusted my character and reached out to me. I read some very personal and heartfelt stories. Stephanie Wilkin reflects on playing Doctor Meredith Fleming on Shortland Street, Stuff, 12 May 2022