Luke Durville - Storylines

Storylines

Under his locum anesthetist occupation, Luke found himself temporary employed at Shortland Street Hospital and was infuriated that Sophie McKay (Kimberley Crossman) and Nate Adamson (Damien Harrison) had named him as the Ferndale Strangler online. His odd behaviour soon aroused the suspicion of others, mainly Brenda (Katherine McRae) who was mysteriously murdered. Luke returned in October 2008 when he opposed Ethan Pierce's (Owen Black) bid for head of surgery and got a fulltime job at the hospital. He and Ethan continued to clash and Luke was under investigation when Ethan was shot to death. Luke performed hypnopsis on Alice Piper (Toni Potter), allowing her to realize Maia Jeffries (Anna Jullienne) was the killer. Luke returned in May 2009 and showed attraction to new surgeon, Gabrielle Jacobs (Virginie Le Brun). Gabrielle brutally rejected Luke and he considered resigning. Luke returned in March 2010 and instantly started a feud with Isaac Worthington (Matt Minto) over the treatment of his crush on Tania Jeffries (Faye Smythe). He returned once again in August and his feud with Isaac was finally put to rest. Luke attempted to admit his love to Tania, but lost her to brother Rafe (Simon London).

Luke and Isaacs feud returned when Luke discovered Isaac had performed illegal surgery, only for Luke to get kidnapped by a dangerous Russian gang. Having survived, Luke was framed for drug addiction by Isaac to hide the evidence. Ashamed and loathed, Luke eventually cleared his name and returned to the hospital, before he ventured overseas. Luke returned in August 2011 and rejected the advances of Vasa Levi (Teuila Blakely) when he announced his engagement to Romanian, Zlata (Kate Elliott). However it was soon apparent Zlata wanted to drastically change Luke and his best friend Bella Cooper (Amelia Reid) realised she was in love with him. The crush soon became mutual and Luke left Zlata for a romance with Bella. The following year the two became engaged but on the night before the wedding, Luke was diagnosed with Glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive brain tumour. Nonetheless, Luke and Bella married in December 2012. The couple struggled with Luke's condition but his life was celebrated with two early wakes attended by friends and colleagues. A short while later, Luke collapsed in the cafeteria and died from a brain bleed, with Bella by his side.