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!”
With success, however, also comes sacrifice. Holly reveals the couple has 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. 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, played Zoe Carlson on the soap for four years. The star says the story of Crackhead is deeply personal to her.
“The series blends humour with the serious topics of addiction and mental health. I think audiences will really connect with it. 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.
Emmett – who played Ross Douglas on Shorty, before going behind the scenes to direct the soap – has a key role in Crackhead’s production team. He 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 for the couple came while they were planning their long-awaited honeymoon to London, Paris and Italy. Holly’s sister Taylor sprung the surprise news she and her partner Scott Brentnall had decided to elope in New York.
“Taylor invited us to the wedding, although we didn’t have to come. 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. They followed the intimate ceremony with cocktails at a 64th–floor Manhattan bar. Then, they capped that off with dinner at an underground restaurant.
Holly and Emmett also created some special memories of their own. They explored New York’s incredible sights, went to a Broadway show and indulged in way too much pizza. Emmett laughs, “I had a rule that I had to eat a slice wherever we went!”
Along with a shared love of travel, Holly and Emmett’s passion for storytelling has been a cornerstone of their relationship since they first met 11 years ago. Emmett has already worked with Holly on her popular web series Auckward Love and hit Instagram show Millennial Jenny, which they both star in and 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. “It may not match the grand scale of last Christmas’ fiery hospital blaze. However, this storyline pulls at the emotional heart of the show. A few core cast members face 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. When we’ll be doing all the things we do with some mini-mes in tow!”
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