Shortland Street kills off young star

Actress Thomasin McKenzie who played Pikitea Rose 'Pixie' Hannah on Shortland Street.

Shortland Street has killed off one of its youngest stars.

Last night - only a day after the anniversary of the death of beloved character Sarah Potts - 14-year-old Pikitea Rose 'Pixie' Hannah succumbed to a surprise infection of pneumonia.

The episode opened with Pixie, whose immune system had been compromised by chemotherapy, being taken to hospital, where her condition quickly deteriorated.

The final scene showed her death, surrounded by family.

Thomasin McKenzie, who played Pixie, spoke to ZM's Fletch, Vaughan and Megan this morning.

The young actress said she had fielded plenty of questions about her character's fate during her time on the show.

Actress Thomasin McKenzie.

"There were a lot of questions and not just at school, on my Instagram and on the street and from family members," she said.

"There were a lot of people asking 'Are you going to die?' and I'd just say, 'If I tell you I'm going to have to kill you, I can't say.'"

Listen to the interview here:

Despite the death of her character, McKenzie said she hoped to continue with acting but she's being realistic about it.

"But I do understand it's not always a reality, that it's really hard to make a career out of acting," she said. "So I think it's probably a good idea to stay at school for a while longer."

However, it seems acting is in her genes - McKenzie is the daughter of actor Miranda Harcourt, who also appeared on Shortland Street, and the granddaughter of veteran theatre actor Dame Kate Harcourt.

Pixie's battle with cancer made headlines when she received cannabis as a last resort treatment - days after it was approved by Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne for a Nelson teenager in a coma.

Why was #ShortlandStreet so sad lastnight?? Why did they have to kill off Pixie?? Had a tear watching lastnights episode #RIPpixie #SoSad

— chelsea kane (@chelsea_kane408) August 19, 2015

@ShortlandTweet That was hard to watch! Holding back tears so the boyfriend doesn't tease me #shortlandstreet #RIPPixie #sosad #itsnotreal

— Nina Vailu'u (@nzNina) August 19, 2015

Well that episode killed me.#RIPPixie#shortlandstreet

— Madeleine Fountain (@mfountain_nz) August 19, 2015

Many viewers took to Twitter to express their sadness for the shocking loss of Pixie and a tribute page has been set up by TVNZ for fans to leave their condolences.

- nzherald