For the first time in its history, long-running local soap Shortland Street has an openly gay major character being played by an openly gay actor. 36-year-old Andrew Laing has played Dr Geoff Greenlaw on the soap for over a year, and was told late last year by the producers that his previously straight character was going to come out. Although initially concerned by the idea, Laing now sees it as an interesting acting challenge, as it is the first time in an 18-year career that he has ever played a gay character, despite never keeping his sexuality hidden or having any desire to. “I don't mean anything noble about this, but someone has to,” he says. “What I don't want to have to do is hide anything about my life. I don't want to be subject of innuendo and gossip, and the biggest thing for me is I don't want to be a hypocrite."