Shorty star Kura 'WHY I LEFT MY DREAM JBOB'

The multi-talented actress talks money, future projects and why she's glad she had a fake wedding

Shortland Street star Kura Forrester admits it was agony deciding whether she should leave her dream role-playing "annoying but lovable" receptionist Desi on the long-running soap.

"It was definitely confronting," she shares. "I talked to so many people about it. I loved working on the show and I loved having some financial security! But my agent suggested that this would be a good time for me to think about whether I wanted to be on Shorty for a long time or maybe consider my options and see what other work might be available."

The multi-talented actress who won the S 2019 Billy T Award for her stand-up show Kura Shoulda Woulda and also appeared in Taskmaster NZ this year - confesses that she wanted to be in a position to put her best foot forward if other projects came up.

"As much as Shorty tries, it's really hard to do other work while you're there. The pace is relentless - I don't think people realise how many hours the actors and production staff put in. And then there are all those lines to learn!

"It was totally my dream job, but I can admit I've enjoyed stepping back from it. I've been like, 'Oh, my God, this is what it's like to have an evening where you don't feel like you've got work hanging over you!' I thought I would be there five years, but it turns out three was enough."

During the three years, she's been part of plenty of dramatic storylines - Desi has battled a gambling addiction, and alcoholism and mourned the loss of her estranged father. Kura says there isn't anything else she wishes Desi had done during her time on the soap. Although she still needs to practise her stunt work.