Shorty star follows dad's footsteps

If you think one of the new faces on Shortland Street looks vaguely familiar, then you're right.

Soap newcomer Lucy Elliott is the daughter of Peter Elliott who played Shortland Street's clinic director Dr David Kearney for four years.

Lucy, 19, joins the soap as teenager Dayna Jenkins, who is attracted to another Shorty teen at a party.

"She is a bit of a crazy character," says Elliott. "She has a lot of issues that she has not come to terms with. She is very quick and a very fast thinker and something always has to be happening."

Elliott views her dad as a mentor.

"It is very comforting because you have someone that can understand the business, and can talk you through what is happening.

"He is really supportive and understands what is going to happen and how things happen."

Acting was not Elliott's first choice as a career, though, and she tried her hand at several other options before discovering her real passion in life.

"It (acting) is really exciting. I think that I didn't really realise what I wanted to do for a long time. I did a makeup course, I did a little bit of drama in school, I painted and other things. It was not till recently that I wanted to take acting seriously."

The big turning point was when she saw her dad do a TV show about the evolution of animals in New Zealand (Primeval New Zealand). Seeing the cool things that actors did sold her on the career choice.

The day she gets to work with her father will be a thrill.

"I'd really like to work with my dad, which could be quite complicated as working with family they tend to be too soft or hard on each other, but I think it will be fun."

Lucy admits she found it daunting initially being part of Shorty Street.

"I was so scared when I first arrived. I have never done anything like this before. I had done a few commercials and things. It sort of was like a tiny tadpole in a giant forest pond.

"I was so overwhelmed with how people were so open and so kind with me and just said for me to come talk." In her spare time, Elliott loves to draw, enjoys gaming, being a big fan of Call Of Duty, and goes swimming when she can - but with one proviso.

"I like to go swimming but I do not like swimming in the ocean, as I have a terrifying fear of sharks."

Source: Stuff.co.nz