| Brooke Freeman | |||||||||||||||
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| Shortland Street character | |||||||||||||||
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| Portrayed by | Beth Allen | ||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2008–2014, 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 14 July 2008 | ||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | 27 January 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Jason Daniel (2008) Oliver Driver (2023) | ||||||||||||||
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Brooke Freeman (Previously Marsden, and Rolleston) is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Beth Allen. Brooke debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 14 July 2008. The role was written with Allen in mind to play her. Brooke arrived as a locum GP but later advanced in her career. She is played as a manipulative female, who uses her sexuality to advance in her career. She is also characterised by her complex backstory which has resulted in her "messed up" persona. As a stylish female, Allen is required to spend longer in the dressing room with make-up artists. Brooke's style has been attributed to Katharine Hepburn, though she wears dark colours to convey her personality.
Brooke has been described as "doctor-hunting" for her many relationships with colleagues. Two of her notable relationships include a failed romance with Ethan Pierce (Owen Black) - which almost led her to suicide. The other with TK Samuels (Benjamin Mitchell), who exposed her vulnerable side. With this stylist Nicola Newman began dressing Brooke is lighter colours to convey the change. Other storylines include coping with her alcoholic mother and making a serious medical error. Brooke has been positively received by critics, favouring her deceitful nature and calling her the serial's "token bitch". Allen has been nominated for a "New Idea People's Choice Award" at the 2010 Qantas Television Awards.