•• Craig >> Articles >> They're back... and up to more mischief
Craig Parker and Laura Hill are about to reprise their roles on Shortland Street. They talk to TV Guide about what it's like to be returning to the set.
It was a family scandal that shook Shortland Street fans to the core.
Fed up with husband Chris Warner's infidelities, Toni Warner fell into the arms of his brother, Guy, and then disappeared with son Harry and Guy's daughter, Tuesday.
Christ spent most of the year scouring the country and abroad for sightings of his family - however he won't have to search for much longer.
The scandalous pair is set to return to Ferndale and their homecoming brings a whole new set of problems.
Off-screen, the Warners' arrival also herals the homecoming of renowned Kiwi actors Craig Parker (Guy) and Laura Hill (Toni).
Both have had a six-month break from Shortland Street and are thrilled to be back.
Looking healthy and tanned, Craig has just returned from a holiday in Thailand.
It was his chance to have a little down time after finishing work on the Auckland Theatre Company play, Pillowman, before his manic Shortland Street schedule began.
"About two days after we finished (the play) I just ran away and lay on a beach for two weeks," says the 37-year old actor. "It was gorgeous."
Craig has spent most of this year in New Zealand after spending nearly five years living in London.
He admits to missing the UK, but is happy to be home and pleased to once again reprise his role of Guy on Shortland Street - the show which propelled him to fame 15 years ago.
"When I came back at the beginning of this year it felt so comfortable. It wasn't strange or different. It felt like I picked up where I left off.
"It helped having Michael (Galvin, who plays Chris) there. We've worked together so much and have known each other for years," Craig says.
Although he is reluctant to reveal what will be happening to the drug-addicted Guy, he says end-of-year scenes are must-see TV.
"When he arrives back he's at a crisis point. Things have got pretty messy and something's got to give. Christmas is going to be very exciting," he says.
Craig says working closely with actress Laura Hill has made hish transition back to the soap that much easier - and it's clear the two get on famously.
The pair chat and joke throughout the interview and photo shoot and are clearly good friends.
"People always say she's such a professional," says Craig who has worked with actresses including Cate Blanchett and Liv Tyler on Lord of the Rings. "But she is so professional and lovely. When you're working with someone who is good, (acting) is easy."
It is a compliment the petite blonde returns.
"He is an absolute delight to work with - gorgeous, yummy, charming, wonderful, easy," Laura laughs, adding that she hopes their off-screen rapport will come across to Shortland Stree viewers.
"I think that kind of stuff does - the chemistry, not like a sexual chemistry, but people working well together," says the 32-year old actress.
While her on-screen character Toni Warner has been gallivanting around the country, off-screen Laura has been enjoying her break.
"It was really nice coming back and seeing everyone again.
"But it's slightly weird in a way as this place operates at such a frantic pace... I was nervous having to adjust my alarm for 5:30," she laughs.
Like Craig, Laura has spent the past six months holidaying, spending seven weeks in London, and performing in the play Babylon Heights in Christchurch.
She says the time away not only helped her recharge her batteries, bu also brought back a new enthusiasm for the show.
"That's the great thing about doing plays," she says. "It's a fantastic way of keeping your energies fresh. And you see it all the time when people return to the show, they come back with a fresh spark in their eyes."
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SOURCE: TV GUIDE
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