Life has been an exciting rollercoaster for the Kiwi acting duo. Photo / Woman's Day
Life has been an exciting rollercoaster for the Kiwi acting duo. Photo / Woman's Day
Twelve months on from their fairytale wedding, the Shortland Street stars share some unexpected news.
Life has been an exciting rollercoaster for Kiwi acting duo Holly Shervey and Emmett Skilton since their fairytale nuptials last December, with the arrival of a “show baby” and an unexpected “mini-honeymoon” upending their plans. But as the couple reflect on their whirlwind year, they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Holly, 34, recalls the couple’s excitement in July, when they got the “dream come true” news that their TV show with the working title Crackhead, a dark comedy she’s been writing for six years, had been awarded $3 million of funding from NZ on Air.
“I got home to find Emmett had filled the living room with balloons and was blasting one of our favourite songs,” she tells. “After a dance party, we popped a bottle of Champagne. It’s a moment we’ll never forget!”
The couple have temporarily shelved their plans to start a family as they focus on their new labour of love. Photo / Woman's Day
With success, however, also comes sacrifice and Holly reveals the couple have temporarily shelved their plans to start a family as they focus on their new labour of love.
She explains, “There can be an expectation that once you’re married, you’ll immediately start a family. But we’re having to put real babies on hold to bring our show baby to life first.”
Emmett, 37, adds, “We absolutely want kids and once we’ve finished filming the show’s eight episodes with Warner Bros later next year, starting a family will definitely be a priority.”
Former Shortland Street star Holly, who played Zoe Carlson on the soap for four years, says the story of Crackhead is deeply personal to her.
Holly will play Crackhead's central character while Emmet has a key role in the production team. Photo / Woman's Day
“The series blends humour with the serious topics of addiction and mental health, which I think audiences will really connect with. To share this story is probably one of the most significant things I’ll ever do.”
Holly will also play its central character, whose chaotic journey from burning down her sister’s house to ending up in a flashy rehab clinic is both wickedly funny and heart-wrenching.
Emmet – who played Ross Douglas on Shorty, before going behind the scenes to direct the soap – has a key role in Crackhead’s production team and says he’s proud of his talented wife’s “relentless dedication” to bring the show to life. “Holly has worked so hard for this and it’s exactly what she was born to do.”
As well as the funding news, another unexpected twist came for the couple. While they were planning their long-awaited honeymoon to London, Paris and Italy, Holly’s sister Taylor sprang the surprise news she and her partner Scott Brentnall had decided to elope in New York.
The couple seized the opportunity to turn a whirlwind week-long trip to the Big Apple into a “mini-honeymoon”. Photo / Woman's Day
“Taylor said we were invited to the wedding, although we didn’t have to come, but we wouldn’t have missed it!” Holly smiles.
The couple seized the opportunity to turn a whirlwind week-long trip to the Big Apple into a “mini-honeymoon” instead. “New York is magic,” enthuses Holly, describing Taylor and Scott’s City Hall nuptials as “like a Sex and The City dream” brimming with romance. The intimate ceremony was followed by cocktails at a 64th-floor Manhattan bar and capped off with dinner at an underground restaurant.
Holly and Emmett also created some special memories of their own, exploring New York’s incredible sights, going to a Broadway show and indulging in way too much pizza. Emmett laughs, “I had a rule that I had to eat a slice wherever we went!”
Holly and Emmett created special memories, exploring New York’s incredible sights. Photo / Woman's Day
Along with a shared love of travel, Holly and Emmett’s passion for storytelling has been a cornerstone of their relationship since they met 11 years ago. Emmett has already worked with Holly on her popular web series Auckward Loveand hit Instagram show Millennial Jenny, which they both star in and which has been watched by millions around the world.
Meanwhile, Emmett recently directed Shorty’s Christmas cliffhanger episodes and says fans can expect the usual shocks. “While it may not match the grand scale of last Christmas’ fiery hospital blaze, this storyline pulls at the emotional heart of the show, with a few core cast members facing unexpected and dramatic fates.”
A year into married life, the couple agree being hitched has been nothing short of phenomenal. “It feels like we’ve grown even closer,” Emmett tells. “I love calling Holly my wife – it’s still such a thrill.”
They’re yet to decide how they’ll celebrate their first anniversary, but Holly says, “I’ll definitely be wearing my wedding dress! And we’ll get some delicious food from vegan food truck Vege Bang Bang, which catered our wedding. It’ll give us a chance to relive some of the magic.”
As for their planned European honeymoon, Emmett says, “It’ll still happen. It might even be part of our celebration after wrapping Crackhead later next year.”
Holly adds, “I wouldn’t change a thing about our lives right now, but I’m looking forward to the future – doing all the things we’re doing with some mini-mes in tow!”
