Adam Heywood

Shortland Street character

Portrayed by

Leighton Cardno

Duration

2001–03

First appearance

14 March 2001

Last appearance

25 August 2003

Created by

Jason Daniel

Introduced by

Simon Bennett

Classification

Former; regular

Profile

Occupation

Doctor at Shortland Street Hospital

Mother	Barbara Heywood
Brothers	Marshall Heywood

Mother	Barbara Heywood
Brothers	Marshall Heywood

Dr. Adam Heywood is a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by Leighton Cardno from early 2001 until mid-2003.

In 2000 an Australian consultant made several large changes to the show that would see a more working class hospital portrayed. Adam and his mother, Barb and brother, Marshall were introduced through the revamp. As part of the revamp, producers wished for a more community based cast with established family links, mimicking the past presence of the Warner and McKenna families. The Heywood's were created to fulfill this role. Leighton Cardno auditioned for the role and quickly won it. He had little expectations but quickly found he loved the job and relished the opportunity. Cardno was also acting in a series based for teenagers called Being Eve and as such, Adam was portrayed with long dirty hair, something the character would traditionally not have. Although Cardno enjoyed his time on the show, upon arrival he decided to only stay short term so as not to become a "Ken Barlow".

Adam arrived to Ferndale alongside his mother Barb (Annie Whittle) and brother Marshall (Paul Reid) in early 2001. He got a job at the hospital and briefly dated Rachel McKenna (Angela Bloomfield) before a brief fling with Robyn Stokes (Kirstie O'Sullivan) which ended when she slept with Marshall. He started a romance with Toni Thompson (Laura Hill). However Adam discovered he was in love with Waverley (Claire Chitham), only to end up sleeping with Toni again. He and Waverley finally got together as the year ended. Waverley eventually dumped Adam and he returned to Toni. But Toni dumped Adam and he attempted to sabotage her wedding to Matt McAllister (Roy Snow). As the year ended, Adam was stabbed by Victor's (Calvin Tuteao) nemesis, Kurt. Adam survived the stabbing but developed a reliance on his medication. Adam reunited with Toni in the aftermath of his addiction but the two broke up indefinitely before Adam departed to the United States.

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Wikipedia