Stuart Neilson

Stuart Neilson
Shortland Street character
Portrayed byMartin Henderson
Duration1992–95, 2017
First appearance25 May 1992
Last appearance25 May 2017
ClassificationFormer; regular
Created byBettina Hollings
Introduced byCaterina De Nave (1992)
Maxine Fleming (2017)
In-universe information
OccupationDoctor
Property investor (1994–95)
FatherTom Neilson
MotherMarj Brasch
BrothersDarryl Neilson
Patrick Neilson
Damien Neilson
Half-sistersJane Fitzgerald
NephewsRobert Neilson
NiecesMelissa Neilson
Rebecca Stanton

Dr. Stuart Neilson is a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by Martin Henderson as part of the original cast until early 1995. The character returned after 22 years off screen to celebrate the show's 25th anniversary episode which aired on 25 May 2017.

The character's three years on the soap featured several major story lines as well as social commentary on youth, religion and mental illness. Stuart was introduced alongside mother, Marj (Elizabeth McRae) and father, Tom Neilson (Adrian Keeling) as a core family-unit alongside recurring brothers, Darryl (Mark Ferguson), Damien (Mark Ferguson) and Patrick.

The character was generally well received with Henderson winning the "Best Male Dramatic Performance in a Television Show" in the 1993 New Zealand Television and Film Awards.