Shorty actress Teuila Blakely to Leave the Show

But her character was not written out of the soap as a result of the recent high-profile sex tape scandal involving 22-year-old Warrior Konrad Hurrell.

Blakely, 39, is developing and writing a film script for South Pacific Pictures, makers of Shortland Street, which will see her work both sides of the camera.

Island Girls, based on the critically acclaimed play of the same name that Blakely wrote, starred in and produced in 2003, is a new film project under development for SPP. She says it will be a Sex and the City-type movie.

The deal is understood to have been negotiated months ago. Blakely is reluctant to say much. She is under contract with the company and it is understood her Shortland Street character will remain on air for several more weeks.

Producers are loath to confirm any details about the show's cast, worried that storylines will be spoiled for fans.

A company rep would only say: "Teuila has a project in development with SPP and she is working closely with the creative team to move that project through to its next stage.

"In order to protect the integrity of the storylines and out of respect to the audience, particularly during the popular winter season, SPP isn't prepared to divulge spoilers."

Blakely is grateful for her role on Shortland Street, but always wanted to stretch herself as an artist.

"I always had plans and a greater purpose. This new project ultimately reflects my ability as a writer and I'm really excited for this opportunity. It will be my first major writing project."

Much has been made of the fallout from the sex tape: the death threats, the hate mail, the loss of a commercial deal and the ostracism from her Samoan community. It forced the mother-of-one to take stock of what was important to her.

Blakely has never been afraid of stepping into the unknown. Pregnant at 17, she had to work hard to provide for her son, Jared, taking on retail jobs at Glassons and McDonald's for 10 years.

She was desperate to get into acting, but as a working single mum didn't know how to break into the creative industry.

She joined an acting extras agency and volunteered at radio stations. Then came a job as a presenter on music channel C4, and an MC gig for American rapper Missy Elliott.

She helped launch Auckland hip-hop radio station Flava FM as its first drive-time host, before starting to co-host the breakfast show for national Pacific Island network Niu FM.

TV roles on Outrageous Fortune, This is Not My Life and Radiradirah followed, and a voiceover role on bro'Town as sassy Sina Tapili.

Now it's a new challenge: movie scriptwriter. Is Hollywood next?