{{EngvarB|date=April 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}} {{Infobox soap character | image = Marj Neilson.jpg | imagesize = 200px | name = Marj Brasch | series = Shortland Street | portrayer = Elizabeth McRae | first = 25 May 1992 | last = 25 May 2017 | alias = Marj Neilson | introducer = Caterina De Nave (1992)<br>Simon Bennett (1998)<br>Harriet Crampton (2002)<br>Steven Zanoski (2012)<br>Maxine Fleming (2017) | books = ''Marj's Story – Shortland Street Books (1996)'' | years = 1992–1996, 1998, 2002, 2012, 2017 | occupation = Receptionist (1989–1996)<br>Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Ferndale (1996–2005) | family = | husband = Tom Neilson (1958–1993)<ref name=marriage>{{cite episode |title= Episode 93|series= Shortland Street|series-link= Shortland Street|network= TVNZ|airdate= 1992-09-30|season=1}}</ref><br>Laurie Brasch (1994–2017) | father= | mother= | halfbrothers= | halfsisters = | sisters= | brothers= | daughters= Jane Fitzgerald | sons= Darryl Neilson<br>Patrick Neilson<br>Damien Neilson<br>Stuart Neilson | granddaughters= Melissa Neilson<br>Rebecca Stanton | grandsons= Robert Neilson | grandfathers= | grandmothers= | stepdaughters= Sally Brasch<br>Sarah Brasch<br>Ruth Brasch | nephews= | nieces= | aunts= Jean | uncles= | cousins= }}
'''Marjorie "Marj" Brasch''' (also '''Neilson''') is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera ''Shortland Street''. Being part of the original cast, she was portrayed by Elizabeth McRae from the show's first season in 1992 up until 1996. She returned as a guest character in 1998, 2002, as part of the show's 20th anniversary in May 2012 and again for the show's 25th anniversary in 2017.
Matriarch of the original family unit – the Neilsons, Marj was the mother of four sons; Patrick (Uncredited), Damien (Mark Ferguson), the villainous Darryl (Mark Ferguson) and Stuart (Martin Henderson) alongside a daughter Jane (Katherine McRae). She was staunchly Catholic and often found herself fighting for her beliefs and her family. The character also resonated the archetypical soap opera gossip, something which McRae suggested was integral to the show. Originally married to Tom (Adrian Keeling), Marj soon became a widow and married boyfriend Laurie Brasch (Chic Littlewood) before leaving the show in 1996, to become a politician. She returned in 1998 to aide in the exit of Jenny Harrison (Maggie Harper), briefly in 2002 to attend good friend Nick's (Karl Burnett) wedding, in 2012 to support Rachel McKenna (Angela Bloomfield), and in 2017 for her onscreen death. Throughout Marj's run, she maintained several long lasting character relationships, primarily with; Jenny Harrison, Kirsty Knight (Angela Dotchin) and Rachel McKenna, some of which have had on-lasting effects on archetypical character moulds.
The character was used largely for comedic scenes but as she developed, she was also used for dramatic effect, with numerous storylines being fronted by Marj. She was hugely popular, being named as the most iconic character to feature on the soap of all time.
==Creation and casting== One of the goals of creating ''Shortland Street'', was to have strong women as primary characters to counter stereotype the weak and vulnerable women that were often portrayed in dramas at the time.<ref name=production>{{cite book |author= Barbara Cairns & Helen Martin|title=Shortland Street – Production, Text and Audience|edition= First|year=1996 |publisher= Macmillan Publishers New Zealand|location= Auckland}}</ref> Marj was written as one of the characters to fulfill this role, presenting a strong front at the clinic reception.<ref name=production/> A family unit was also required for key audience targets, leading to Marj being established with a husband and two children.<ref name=production/> Elizabeth McRae was cast in the role and was delivered an initial 30 scripts in February 1992, being sceptical that the show would last over a year due to curiosity over how her character could develop over such a long period.<ref name=goodmorning>{{cite episode|date=23 May 2012|series=Good Morning|station=TV One|network=Television New Zealand}}</ref> She went on to realise the writers craft, stating; "You learn quite quickly that your character can do – anything. You never go up to the writer's and go; 'My character wouldn't do so and so'."<ref name=goodmorning/> Several months into the shows run, the character of Marj's son – Stuart (Martin Henderson) was rewritten to be religious rather than gay in a bid to maintain a heterosexual "heart-throb" for teenage audiences;<ref name=road>{{cite web|title=Shorty road to success|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/3728697/Shorty-road-to-success|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121220162231/http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/3728697/Shorty-road-to-success|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 December 2012|work=Stuff (company)|date=May 2010|access-date=11 September 2011|author=Bennett, Cath}}</ref> Marj was also rewritten to emphasise her Catholic nature.<ref name=twentytwenty>{{cite episode|title=Shortland Street celebrates 20 years|series=20/20|station=TV2|network=Television New Zealand|date=24 May 2012}}</ref> She was given another two sons because of this.<ref name=twentytwenty/> Henderson was at first "intimidated" acting alongside his screen mother but learned from her acting and professional abilities.<ref name=lifetime>{{cite web|title=Elizabeth McRae wins Lifetime Achievement Award|url=https://www.rymanhealthcare.co.nz/the-ryman-difference/ryman-news/11674-shorty-star-wins-lifetime-achievement-award|date=14 September 2016|work=Ryman Healthcare}}</ref> Marj made her debut on the shows first ever episode and even spoke the first ever line: "Shortland Street Accident and Emergency Centre!"<ref name=firstline>{{cite journal|title=The GC and 20 years of Shortland Street|url=http://www.listener.co.nz/commentary/television/diana-wichtel-the-gc-and-20-years-of-shortland-street/|author=Witchel, Diana|journal=The Listener|date=19 May 2012|publisher=APN News & Media}}</ref> McRae soon found herself a mentor for the young actors.<ref name=lifetime/> After the show and the character gained popularity, McRae began to worry that she might not be cast as anything else and decided to quit.<ref name=goodmorning/> Producers decided to write her out in a storyline where she became a politician.<ref name=triviabook>{{cite book|title=Shortland Street Trivia Book|publisher=Penguin Publishers|date=May 2007|isbn= 978-0-14-300717-3}}</ref> They saw this as a fun and unusual write out for a deserving fan favourite character.<ref name=triviabook/> Marj made her last appearance as a regular character on 15 July 1996.
McRae agreed to reprise the role in 1998 as part of the exit storyline for the character of Marj's best friend Jenny Harrison (Maggie Harper),<ref name=goodmorning/> but ruled out returning full-time to the soap.<ref>{{cite news | title=Marj rules out a permanent return | date=26 July 1998 | work=Sunday News | page=27 | first=Louisa | last=Cleave}}</ref> McRae returned in another guest role in 2002.<ref name=families>{{cite web|title=The families of Shortland Street pt 2 |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/families-pt-2-4390071 |work=Television New Zealand |date=September 2011 |access-date=6 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014222257/http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/families-pt-2-4390071 |archive-date=14 October 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was confirmed in May 2012 that Marj would be returning to mark the show's 20th anniversary.<ref name=spectacular>{{cite web|title=A spectacular week of Shortland Street |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/spectacular-week-4891907 |work=Shortland Street |publisher=Television New Zealand |date=17 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523231204/http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/spectacular-week-4891907 |archive-date=23 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Producers decided to bring Marj back after the return of another former receptionist – Yvonne Jeffries (Alison Quigan), with producer Steven Zanoski stating: "With the return of Yvonne to the reception desk it was only a matter of course to have Marj back."<ref name=spectacular/> Marj's return scenes were directed by McRae's daughter Katherine, who stated; "It was very funny. I thought; 'Should I call her mum?' But as soon as we got on the studio floor Marj popped straight back out. It was instant."<ref name=marjmum>{{cite journal|title=Is she called Marj or just Mum?|journal=New Zealand TV Guide|date=10 May 2012|author=Smith, Janie}}</ref> McRae enjoyed returning to the character of Marj saying; "They are very well written scenes. They did me proud."<ref name=marjmum/> She made her single episode reappearance on 25 May 2012.<ref name=cred>{{cite web|title=Earning Street cred|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/6919052/Earning-Street-cred|work=Stuff (company)|date=15 May 2012|author=Thompson, Erica|access-date=25 May 2012|archive-date=29 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203309/http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/6919052/Earning-Street-cred|url-status=live}}</ref> McRae reprised her role for the 25th anniversary in May 2017,<ref name=marj2017return>{{cite web|title=Marj returning to Shortland Street|url=http://spy.nzherald.co.nz/spy-news/marj-returning-to-shortland-street/|work=Spy|publisher=APN News & Media|date=20 May 2017|access-date=20 May 2017|author=Simich, Ricardo}}</ref> for a storyline that saw Marj die.<ref name=marjdies>{{cite web|title=Where were you the day a deadly volcano erupted on Shortland Street?|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/tv/26-05-2017/where-were-you-the-day-a-deadly-volcano-erupted-on-shortland-street/|work=The Spinoff|author=Henderson, Callum|date=26 May 2017}}</ref> McRae described the scenes as "surreal".<ref name=marj2017return/>
==Storylines== Working behind the front desk at Shortland Street clinic since its inception, Marj was introduced as a gossip-fueled face of the reception. She and her husband Tom (Adrian Keeling) were horrified when their teenage son Stuart (Martin Henderson) claimed that he was the father of a baby that had been delivered. It was quickly revealed that Stuart's eldest brother Darryl (Mark Ferguson) was the real father, though Marj never discovered this, Tom had his suspicions. Causing controversy within the clinic by ostracising Jaki Manu (Nancy Brunning) due to an HIV scare, and speculating on Meredith (Stephanie Wilkin) and Hone (Temuera Morrison) dating despite being in relationships, the staff realised Marj was an efficient way to spread information to their colleagues. Marj reported Tom to officials for sleep problems that resulted in a near-crash, leading to the marriage to end. Devastated, she suspected Tom was having an affair with Irene Raynor (Jan Saussey) but when this turned out to be a brief flirtation, and Tom was returned to work, they reconciled and she nursed Tom through his health scares. In late 1992, Marj's illegitimate daughter Jane (Katherine McRae) who she adopted out at birth, made contact, infuriating Tom that the lie had been kept for 30 years. He fled Ferndale and an upset Marj began to date policeman Laurie (Chic Littlewood). [[File:Helenclarkeshortlandstreet.jpg|thumb|right|Marj's final scenes saw the character meet future prime ministers – Helen Clark and Jenny Shipley. This was later referred to by a reviewer as the meeting of the 3 "most powerful women" in New Zealand.<ref name=spinoff>{{cite web|title=Street Week: Throwback Thursday – The Cameos|author=Casey, Alex|date=11 December 2014|url=http://thespinoff.co.nz/11-12-2014/street-week-throwback-thursday-the-cameos/|work=The Spinoff}}</ref>]] Marj and Laurie spent months tracking Tom or a body, to no avail. As 1993 ended he returned having spent time in a cult but succumbed to a heart attack. In her grief Marj reunited with Laurie and moved to his farm. After a scare where Marj was accidentally poisoned by rural chemicals, they realised their love and married in 1994. The two became foster parents to Lulu Chatfield (Meighan Desmond) and Marj was devastated when her son Darryl drowned. Behind the reception desk Marj saw the reality of the Ferndale community, recognising the poor services in town. Much to the amusement of her colleagues she put herself forward to be a city councilor, shocking them all when she won. Advocating for the community whilst still working part-time behind the desk, Marj fell into political scandal when she funded Nick's (Karl Burnett) dodgy cleaning materials business. Soon after, a vacancy opened in the area for the 1996 general election; Marj ran and won the majority vote to sit for Ferndale in the New Zealand parliament, quitting Shortland Street.
Several years later, Marj returned to Ferndale and hired best friend – Jenny Harrison (Maggie Harper) as her personal assistant. She attended the funeral for Tiffany Marinovich (Alison James) before she and Jenny departed to Wellington.
The two returned in 2002 to attend Jenny's son, Nick's wedding to Waverley Wilson (Claire Chitham). Marj felt deeply betrayed when Jenny announced her retirement and the two fell out. It was only through the love of Nick and Waverley that the two finally reconciled. As she again departed Ferndale, Marj offered Jenny's position to Rachel McKenna (Angela Bloomfield), who declined. The following year Marj helped secure Rachel a job in the government, leading to her leaving Ferndale. Marj briefly returned in May 2012 to support Rachel following Chris' (Michael Galvin) arrest for murder.
Marj returned to Ferndale for Chris' 50th birthday but was hospitalised for an aortic aneurysm, leading to Stuart arriving to visit her. Marj revealed that she had retired from politics 12 years previously after winning three consecutive elections. A volcanic eruption saw Marj step in and return to the front desk of the hospital before suffering an angina attack whilst stuck in the elevator. Following words of advice to Nick and Waverley on being parents for the 6th time, Marj fell into cardiac arrest in the hospital reception and died. Chris and Stuart discovered her body and expressed joy that she had died in her "home".
==Character development==
===Characterisation=== Instantly upon introduction, Marj was shown to be a stern Catholic mother busybody, who loved to gossip and cares deeply for her family. She has been described as "bossy, opinionated, a terrible gossip. She was everyone's favourite Aunt, with the flapping mouth and the big heart."<ref name=10bestcharacters>{{cite news|title=Shortland Street: The 10 best characters|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=1942424|work=The New Zealand Herald|publisher=APN News & Media|date=May 2002|author=Hewitson, Michelle|access-date=1 November 2011|archive-date=21 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053909/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=1942424|url-status=live}}</ref> Marj has also been described as the "big-hearted office gossip".<ref name=atoz>{{cite news|title=The A-Z of Shortland Street|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11858353|work=The New Zealand Herald|publisher=APN News & Media|date=21 May 2017}}</ref> The character did not mind saying what she thought, including in 1992 when she was openly hostile towards Jaki Manu (Nancy Brunning) who feared she had AIDS. In 1994 Marj was heavily against the hiring of lesbian nurse – Annie Flynn (Rebecca Hobbs) but soon came adjusted to it, with the character saying: "I was very close to a girl once ... I can understand this".<ref name=10bestcharacters/> McRae enjoyed the characterisation but acknowledged Marj had her flaws, stating; "She stands up for family and is quite perceptive and forgiving. Her Achilles heel is that she can't resist butting in and telling people what they should think or feel."<ref name=production/> McRae also wanted the character to be relateable, saying; "I don't play Marj to be liked, but I play her to be understood. I think Marj is able to see her own faults at times, and that's one of her saving graces."<ref name=magazine1>{{cite journal|journal=Shortland Street Official Magazine |author=Chalmers, Gill |publisher=Television New Zealand|date=Autumn 1995|title=Switched on Liz}}</ref> Upon her return in 2012 it became apparent that Marj's "no nonsense" attitude had not diminished with age when she gave Yvonne Jeffries (Alison Quigan) and Bella Cooper (Amelia Reid) advice on working reception.<ref name=marjmum/>
Marj was primary comic relief in her initial storylines, so writers decided to introduce drama to the character so that the audience could connect and to further develop the character.<ref name=10besttales>{{cite news|title=Shortland Street: The 10 best tales|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=1942423|work=The New Zealand Herald|publisher=APN News & Media|date=May 2002}}</ref><ref name=storyteller>{{cite news|title=The storyteller|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/television-industry/news/article.cfm?c_id=260&objectid=10572453|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=May 2009|access-date=1 November 2009|author=Nikiel, Christine}}</ref> This included the storyline where husband Tom went missing<ref name=10besttales/><ref name=storyteller/> and the introduction of Marj's menacing antagonistic son, Darryl.<ref name=10besttales/><ref name=dinh>{{cite web|title=On this day in Shortland Street history |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/day-in-history-2879285 |work=Shortland Street |publisher=Television New Zealand |date=30 November 2009 |access-date=1 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014134640/http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/day-in-history-2879285 |archive-date=14 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> McRae particularly enjoyed acting the comedy scenes, saying: "I really enjoy playing the comedy where Marj gets a bit of authority and goes bananas bossing everyone around."<ref name=production/> McRae didn't want the character to appear as solely comic relief however, saying; "I don't play the character for everyone to love her. I've seen that in Australian soaps with women of my age. They try to make older women all fuzzy round the edges and that's hopeless."<ref name=magazine1/> Marj was said to be the "quintessential" soap opera archetype of a gossip.<ref name=winarole>{{cite web|title=Win a role on Shortland Street|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/tv-guide/66645565/win-a-role-on-shortland-street|work=Stuff (company)|date=26 February 2015}}</ref> The gossiping was a key point of the character, with the actress stating; "The show's creators realised from the start that the role of in-house gossip is integral to the soap-opera genre" and listing Marj's gossip as a necessary passage of drama between characters.<ref name=magazine1/> She described Marj's gossiping as "dispersing" information between characters to help run the storylines and the "wheels" of the soap.<ref name=goodmorning/>
===Kia ora, Shortland Street=== Marj delivered the first words spoken on ''Shortland Street'', answering the phone at the clinic reception: "Shortland Street accident and emergency centre",<ref name=thirtythings>{{cite web|title=Shortland Street turns 30: 30 things you didn't know about the show|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/shortland-street-turns-30-30-things-you-didnt-know-about-show|date=22 May 2022|work=Otago Daily Times}}</ref> though this was often confused with the later more established catch-phrase of the show "Kia ora, Shortland Street".<ref name=streetweekep>{{cite web|title=Street Week: Catch Up Club – Shortland Street Episode One|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/recaps/10-12-2014/street-week-catch-up-club-shortland-street-episode-one|date=10 December 2014|work=The Spinoff}}</ref> This phrase was actually introduced three years into the shows tenure; on-screen the clinic sought to embrace Te Reo and implemented Maori phrases for reception. The at-times socially conservative Marj was shown to resist the move but soon came round to embracing Te Reo and "mangled the phrase with ... gusto".<ref name=10bestcharacters/> The use of a Conservative Pakeha woman coming round to appreciating the language was said to help bridge the cultural gap in New Zealand by incorporating te reo Māori. McRae supported the storyline, "It was a great move for ''Shortland Street'' to incorporate Māori into the show. I thoroughly agreed with it. I love the idea that we're a visible bi-cultural country."<ref name=beingmarj>{{cite web|title=Being Marj: A Shortland Street family bond|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/108424980/being-marj-a-shortland-street-family-bond|date=7 November 2018|author=Awarau, Aroha|work=stuff.co.nz}}</ref> The phrase ultimately became "legendary" with all receptionist characters succeeding Marj uttering the words.<ref name=utter>{{cite web|title=Shortland Street's receptionists through the years|url=https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/celebrity/tv/shortland-streets-receptionists-through-the-years-32465|date=22 May 2017|work=New Zealand Women's Weekly}}</ref>
==Reception== {{quote box |width = 25em |border = 1px |align=right |bgcolor=#dedee2 |fontsize = 85% |quote = "I love Liz McRae, and Marj was an example for us in defining what soap was for New Zealand. She pushed the comedy envelope so far, she stretched Marj in any way that was the best way to stretch her, but she never lost the humanity of Marj. She never lost the reality of the character. Even when she was being 'Outrageous Marj', you still felt that she was a real person, and you still loved her.
She was often the voice of disapproval or bigotry. She would be used to represent ordinary New Zealand being a bit hideous, yet she made it understandable – and when she had the revelations and came around to a better way of thinking, it made perfect sense. I think it helped change New Zealand in certain ways." |salign = right |source =—Co-star Craig Parker (Guy Warner) on the success of Elizabeth McRae as Marj.<ref name=cliffhangerreturn24>{{cite web|title=‘We were as famous as Tom Cruise’: Craig Parker on 90s Shortland St fandom|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/21-12-2024/we-were-as-famous-as-tom-cruise-craig-parker-on-90s-shortland-st-fandom|date=21 December 2024|work=The Spinoff|access-date=23 December 2024|archive-date=24 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224083031/https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/21-12-2024/we-were-as-famous-as-tom-cruise-craig-parker-on-90s-shortland-st-fandom|url-status=live}}</ref> }} The character received a positive response with a review of the first episode saying the reception desk was; "about the only place where the makers of ''Shortland Street'' have got it right".<ref name=10bestcharacters/> However it took a while for Marj to be won over by the audience, with McRae suggesting that after the character was written with "a bit of comedy and a bit of warmth", she instantly became a fan favourite.<ref name=10bestcharacters/><ref name=10besttales/> McRae understood why viewers related to Marj so well, stating; "I think that Marj is possibly Mrs Middle New Zealand; I think people identify with her as being just like their next door neighbour or an aunty. I suppose she could become a sort of Kiwi icon."<ref name=production/> McRae was contacted by a political party in 1996 suggesting she run as an electorate MP following scenes where Marj was shown to be political.<ref name=goodmorning/> McRae later reflected on this, "The fact they asked me to stand for Parliament merely because I played Marj was ludicrous".<ref name=beingmarj/> When filming her final scenes at parliament, McRae remembered realising the impact Marj had made by the amount of MP's approaching her for photos.<ref name=revealall>{{cite journal|title=Shocks, secrets & scanda;, Shorty's receptionist reveal all|journal=Woman's Weekly|publisher=APN News & Media|date=22 May 2017}}</ref> The relationship between Marj and Kirsty Knight (Angela Dotchin) proved memorable to fans due to its comedic nature.<ref name=kiaora>{{cite web|title=Kia Ora Shortland Street |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/kia-ora-5911689 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415113943/http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/kia-ora-5911689 |archive-date=15 April 2014 |date=12 April 2014 |work=tvnz.co.nz |publisher=Television New Zealand |url-status=dead }}</ref> Scenes featuring Marj gossiping whilst purchasing from the clinic's food trolley further proved favourable to fans of the show and after being disestablished in the early 2000s, the trolley was reintroduced in 2014 to re-introduce similar scenes.<ref name=lease>{{cite news|title=New lease on life for TV icon|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11228903|work=The New Zealand Herald|publisher=APN News & Media|date=30 March 2014|author=Wynn, Kirsty}}</ref>
===Impact=== To honour the shows 10th anniversary in May 2002, Michelle Hewitson of The New Zealand Herald voted Marj as the best character to ever appear on the show noting her multiple levels of characterisation and interesting storylines.<ref name=10bestcharacters/> Hewitson described Marj's best catchphrase as; "Mind your own beeswax." and her silliest scene, being when Marj nearly died when her scarf got caught in the paper shredder, only to be saved by Nick Harrison (Karl Burnett) who was washing the windows outside.<ref name=10bestcharacters/> McRae herself reflected on how this was one of her favourite storylines and in fact kept the destroyed scarf as a memento for many years.<ref name=revealall/> Her "maddest" storyline was decided to be her husband – Tom's (Adrian Keeling) disappearance.<ref name=10bestcharacters/> TV reviewer, John T. Forde, listed Marj as his second favourite character and highlighted her phrase: "Kia ora, Shortland Street Accident and Emergency centre!"<ref name=tubetalk>{{cite web|title=Tube Talk: Take A Bow, Shortland Street|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0205/S00159/tube-talk-take-a-bow-shortland-street.htm|agency=Spectator News Agency|publisher=Multimedia Investments Limited|author=Forde, John T.|date=29 May 2002}}</ref> During a speech at the show's 15th anniversary, the Prime Minister Helen Clark, noted the "fun" she had filming Marj's final scenes at parliament.<ref name=primeminister>{{cite web|title=Shortland St, 15th Anniversary|url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/shortland-st-15th-anniversary|author=Clark, Helen|author-link=Helen Clark|date=4 May 2007|work=beehive.govt.nz|publisher=New Zealand Government}}</ref> The scene also included Marj meeting National Party minister Jenny Shipley, and blogger Alex Casey described the meeting of Marj, Clark, and Shipley as a "special treat" due to the 3 being the "most powerful women" in New Zealand.<ref name=spinoff/> Marj was said to deliver many of the "best lines" in the show's 25th anniversary episode.<ref name=bestlines>{{cite web|title=The best lines from Shortland Street's explosive 25th anniversary extravaganza|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/tv/25-05-2017/the-best-lines-from-shortland-streets-explosive-25th-anniversary-extravaganza/|work=The Spinoff|date=25 May 2017|access-date=25 May 2017|archive-date=25 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525145946/https://thespinoff.co.nz/tv/25-05-2017/the-best-lines-from-shortland-streets-explosive-25th-anniversary-extravaganza/|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''New Zealand Woman's Day'' magazine listed Marj as the 13th best character of the soap's first 25 years.<ref name=25best>{{cite web|title=Shortland Street's 25 most memorable characters|url=http://www.nowtolove.co.nz/celebrity/tv/shortland-streets-25-most-memorable-characters-32549|date=23 May 2017|work=Woman's Day}}</ref>
McRae later went on to state that playing Marj was a highlight of her 50-year-long career, saying; "It was quite a privilege to be in that initial cast because it was a breakthrough that there was at last a New Zealand soap opera that wasn't full of Australians or Americans or English."<ref name=qbirthday>{{cite web|title=Queen's Birthday Honours: McRaes honoured for lifetime roles|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10385060|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=June 2006|access-date=1 November 2011|author=Thompson, Wayne|archive-date=29 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193238/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10385060|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, the character was named as one of the standout characters of the show's first 20 years.<ref name=20magazine>{{cite journal|title=Shorty Superstars|journal=Shortland Street 20th Anniversary Magazine|publisher=New Zealand Magazines|date=23 April 2012}}</ref> Producer – Steven Zanoski, praised Marj's return in 2012, stating; "The scenes between Rachel and Marj have proved to be the most moving stories we see over a week of moving stories."<ref name=marjmum/> Marj's return was later named as one of the highlights of the 2012 season.<ref name=top2012>{{cite web|title=Top 20 moments of 2012 |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/top-20-moments-2012-5285823 |work=tvnz.co.nz |publisher=Television New Zealand |date=13 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120235054/http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/top-20-moments-2012-5285823 |archive-date=20 January 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2013, Marj's return was named as the 5th best ever character return storyline on the soap by the ''Shortland Street'' website in a collated list.<ref name=returningbests>{{cite web|title=Best Returning Characters! |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/best-returning-characters-5658409 |work=tvnz.co.nz |publisher=Television New Zealand |date=24 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029220018/http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/best-returning-characters-5658409 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The soap's longest serving star, Michael Galvin (Chris Warner) praised and admired McRae for her portrayal of Marj as she taught him to "take the work seriously, but don't take yourself too seriously".<ref name=cred/> In 2016, Marj was named by a stuff.co.nz reporter as the 3rd character they most wanted to return to show.<ref name=fivebest>{{cite web|title=Five Shortland Street characters we'd like to see return|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/84934815/five-shortland-street-characters-wed-like-to-see-return|work=Stuff (company)|date=4 October 2016}}</ref> Ricardo Simich expressed his desire for Marj to return for the soap opera's 25th anniversary saying it was a "must" she be reunited with Waverley Harrison.<ref name=turns25>{{cite web|title=Shortland Street turns 25: Are all our old faves coming back?|url=http://spy.nzherald.co.nz/spy-news/shortland-street-turns-25-are-all-our-old-faves-coming-back/|work=Spy|publisher=APN News & Media|date=1 April 2017|author=Simich, Ricardo}}</ref> In 2017 ''stuff.co.nz'' journalist Fleur Mealing named Marj as the 9th character she most wanted to return for the show's 25th anniversary, citing the potential for Marj to again deliver the first line of the episode.<ref name=characterlist>{{cite web|title=Ten Shortland St stars we hope make a comeback for the 25th anniversary|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/91558943/ten-shortland-st-stars-we-hope-make-a-comeback-for-the-25th-anniversary|work=Stuff (company)|date=17 April 2017|author=Mealing, Fleur}}</ref>
===Legacy=== Analyzing the role of relationships in ''Shortland Street'', researcher Nandi Lakshmanan noted Marj and Laurie for being the only couple on screen in 1995 to not suffer relationship issues or a break-up. She noted this as a successful function of the role of women on the soap.<ref name=junoon>{{cite thesis |type=MA |title=Formal and ideological analysis of Shortland Street and Junoon (Stubborn) : a comparative study |author=Lakshmanan, Nandi|year=1995|publisher=Massey University}}</ref> Following the success of Marj's characterisation in the original cast, the character became iconic and an archetype for later characters to come.<ref name=firstepisode>{{cite web|title=The very first episode |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tv2_minisite_story_skin/429356?format=html |work=Shortland Street |publisher=Television New Zealand |date=May 2005 |access-date=1 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014134630/http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tv2_minisite_story_skin/429356?format=html |archive-date=14 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=secrets>{{cite web|title=Shortland Street's secrets|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10700228|work=The New Zealand Herald|publisher=APN News & Media|date=May 2010|access-date=1 November 2011}}</ref> This archetype consisted of a motherly figure who offered sage advice from behind the desk with her one liners.<ref name=fivebest/> The character was followed by numerous other similar characters that were equally as popular, including; Moira (Geraldine Brophy), Babara (Annie Whittle) and Yvonne (Alison Quigan).<ref name=oldenough>{{cite web|title=Shortie's old enough to vote|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/television-industry/news/article.cfm?c_id=260&objectid=10646999|work=The New Zealand Herald|publisher=APN News & Media|date=May 2010|access-date=1 November 2011|author=Lang, Sarah|archive-date=25 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025232710/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/television-industry/news/article.cfm?c_id=260&objectid=10646999|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=castress>{{cite web|title=Geraldine Brophy: character actress|url=http://screentalk.nzonscreen.com/interviews/geraldine-brophy-a-character-actress|work=NZ On Screen|publisher=NZ On Air|date=18 January 2010|author=Coleman, James|access-date=8 May 2012|archive-date=6 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406005900/http://screentalk.nzonscreen.com/interviews/geraldine-brophy-a-character-actress|url-status=live}}</ref> Columnist Fleur Mealing did however note that, "Marj was Shortland Street's first ever receptionist. That coveted position has been held by many different folk since, but no one will ever did it like Marj did."<ref name=characterlist/> The similarities were referenced on screen in 2008 when a highly drugged Guy Warner (Craig Parker) mistook Yvonne for Marj.<ref name=guywarner>{{cite episode|date=13 February 2008|title=episode 3918|series=Shortland Street|station =TV2|network=Television New Zealand}}</ref> Despite Yvonne's storylines being screened to thousands of viewers every night, Quigan still found herself mistaken for Marj by the public, reportedly being constantly reminded that she: "played Marj on Shortland Street."<ref name=quiganhewiston>{{cite web|title=Michele Hewitson Interview: Alison Quigan|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10849591|work=The New Zealand Herald|publisher=APN News & Media|date=24 November 2012|author=Hewitson, Michelle}}</ref> When Amelia Reid was cast in the role of Bella Cooper in 2010, she stated her hope to live up to the reputation of Marj on the front desk.<ref name="Stuff.co.nz_4103710">{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/4103710/First-stop-Shortland-St-for-Nelson-actor |title=First stop Shortland St for Nelson actor |author=Roberts, Adam |date=7 September 2010 |work=The Nelson Mail |access-date=19 September 2011}}</ref> When Jennifer Ludlam (Receptionist Leanne Miller) filmed her first scenes behind the desk, she felt it was an iconic position to hold having previously worked with McRae on stage.<ref name=ludlam>{{cite web|title=Get to know Jennifer Ludlum |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/get-know-jennifer-ludlum-5874202 |work=tvnz.co.nz |publisher=Television New Zealand |date=March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326131415/http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/get-know-jennifer-ludlum-5874202 |archive-date=26 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Ludlam later reflected on this, saying, "Who doesn't know Marj ... what an icon!"<ref name=revealall/> McRae's daughter reflected on the popularity of Marj stating, "Marj became so multi-faceted and so real that many people could relate to her", highlighting her long-standing nature in viewers minds.<ref name=beingmarj/>
===Death scene response=== The death scenes of Marj were praised by reviewers. Her final words, "Life's too short and wonderful for regrets" were described by a reviewer on ''The Spinoff'' as being "profound and moving".<ref name=marjdies/> The quote was said to be one of the best of the episode,<ref name=25quotes>{{cite web|title=The best lines from Shortland Street's explosive 25th anniversary extravaganza|work=The Spinoff|author=Ward, Tara|date=25 May 2017|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/tv/25-05-2017/the-best-lines-from-shortland-streets-explosive-25th-anniversary-extravaganza/|access-date=25 May 2017|archive-date=25 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525145946/https://thespinoff.co.nz/tv/25-05-2017/the-best-lines-from-shortland-streets-explosive-25th-anniversary-extravaganza/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the scenes to be a well earned "sentimental closing montage".<ref name=marjdies/> The song One Day by Opshop featured as a backing track during Marj's death and subsequently reentered the New Zealand iTunes charts.<ref name=opshop>{{cite web|title=Shortland Street brings OpShop song back to life|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/93024525/shortland-street-brings-opshop-song-back-to-life|work=Stuff (company)|date=26 May 2017}}</ref> The 25th anniversary episode featuring her death also recorded high ratings of 630,000, receiving praise from the producers and the network.<ref name=deathratings>{{cite web|title=New Zealand loves Shortland Street|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1705/S00448/new-zealand-loves-shortland-street.htm|work=TVNZ|date=26 May 2017}}</ref> Marj's return and death was noted by ''The New Zealand TV Guide'' as one of the show's highlights of the decade.<ref name=twisted>{{cite journal|title=Best of the decade: Shortland Street's 12 most twisted plots|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/118225351/best-of-the-decade-shortland-streets-12-most-twisted-plots|author=Harvey, Kerry|date=17 December 2019|journal=New Zealand TV Guide}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Shortland Street}} {{Original Shortland Street characters}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brasch, Marj}} Category:Shortland Street characters Category:Television characters introduced in 1992 Category:Fictional receptionists Category:Fictional legislators Category:New Zealand female characters in soap operas Category:Deceased fictional characters