Spy: New faces on the Street

Shortland Street

viewers should brace themselves for new arrivals as the 2015 season heats up.

Shara Connolly is soon to hit our most-loved drama in a guest role as Lara, a playgroup mum, whom Spy hears may just have her eye on hot married dad Vinnie Kruse (played by Pua Magasiva).

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Readers may remember Connolly from when she starred in series five of Go Girls.

For the past couple of years Connolly has been working behind the scenes in the industry as part of TVNZ's marketing and publicity team, but has had a massive year on the acting front, including recurring guest roles on the MTV series The Shannara Chronicles, launching in January, and popular kids' series Power Rangers.

She has a recurring role in the American comedy horror series Ash vs Evil Dead, hitting screens in New Zealand later this month.

Spy caught up with Connolly this week in Los Angeles, with the actress saying: "It has been a busy year which has been great.

"I was lucky enough to work on some American projects earlier in the year. I also
had my professional theatre debut alongside Emmett Skilton and Peter Feeney, in a wonderful play based around climate change called Between Two Waves. It was such a great experience and I'm keen to do more theatre."

The blonde bombshell added of her role on Shorty: "Lara is a sweet, good-natured, young mother who is going through a bit of a rough patch."

Meanwhile, another recognisable face is that of Arlo Gibson, who is about to appear on the long-running soap as George Kirkwood, a mystery man who catches the eye of Dayna Jenkins (played by Lucy Elliott).

Gibson is also appearing in season 2 of TV2 comedy drama Step Dave as barman and part-time dad Liam.

His character in Step Dave led astray teenage character Jasmine (played by Lily Powell) in the first series and he may well break a few hearts in the second series of the show.

Spy hears Gibson's character on Shorty may be set to have a pivotal part in this year's season cliffhanger, which will screen in December.