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'." When the character of Marj's son – Stuart (Martin Henderson) was forcibly rewritten to be religious rather than gay, Marj was also rewritten to emphasise her Catholic nature. She was given another two sons because of this. Henderson was at first "intimidated" acting alongside his screen mother but learned from her acting and professional abilities. Marj made her debut on the shows first ever episode and even spoke the first ever line: "Shortland Street Accident and Emergency Centre!" McRae soon found herself a mentor for the young actors. 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. Producers decided to write her out in a storyline where she became a politician. They saw this as a fun and unusual write out for a deserving fan favourite character. 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). McRae returned in another guest role in 2002. It was confirmed in May 2012 that Marj would be returning to mark the show's 20th anniversary. 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." 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." McRae enjoyed returning to the character of Marj saying; "They are very well written scenes. They did me proud." She made her single episode reappearance on 25 May 2012. McRae reprised her role for the 25th anniversary in May 2017, for a storyline that saw Marj die. McRae described the scenes as "surreal". Storylines Working behind the front desk at Shortland Street clinic, Marj and her husband Tom (Adrian Keeling) were horrified when their teenage son Stuart (Martin Henderson) claimed that he was the father of