Maeve Mullens Relationships Explained: Nicole, Saskia, Rebekah, BJ and Sophia in Shortland Street

Maeve Mullens has experienced some of Shortland Street’s most memorable LGBTQ+ relationships since arriving in Ferndale. Played by Jess Sayer, the outspoken nurse has faced marriage, betrayal, grief and difficult second chances without any of her romances being treated as a simple side story.

Each relationship has revealed something different about Maeve. Saskia connects her to motherhood, Nicole represented marriage and family, Rebekah exploited her grief, BJ offered the possibility of a new beginning, and Sophia continues to challenge what Maeve truly wants.

Maeve Mullens and Saskia Burgess

Saskia Burgess was Maeve’s former partner and the woman with whom she raised their son, Wilder. Saskia carried Wilder, but Maeve was fully involved in raising him and remained devoted to him throughout his life.

Their relationship ended after Saskia was unfaithful, although their shared responsibility for Wilder meant they could never completely leave each other behind. Available character records differ over whether Maeve and Saskia were legally married, so Saskia is most accurately described as Maeve’s former partner.

Saskia later returned with Jodie Milton, whose behaviour towards her became increasingly abusive. Maeve noticed Saskia’s injuries, offered her a safe place to stay and continued encouraging her to seek help, even when Saskia initially defended Jodie.

Maeve and Saskia also clashed over Wilder’s care because Maeve did not believe he was safe around Jodie. Saskia eventually ended the abusive relationship, sought legal protection and agreed to formalise a shared custody arrangement with Maeve.

Maeve Mullens and Nicole Miller

Nicole Miller became the defining relationship of Maeve’s early years in Ferndale. The two nurses fell in love after Maeve’s arrival and married in 2020, placing their relationship at the centre of the programme rather than treating it as a brief LGBTQ+ storyline.

Their marriage survived serious injuries, family disagreements, infidelity and the devastating effect of Wilder’s murder. Maeve and Nicole repeatedly tried to support one another, but their individual grief and mental health struggles gradually created a distance neither could overcome.

Nicole’s story took a tragic turn when she killed Louisa Gunnell and later confessed after recovering her full memory of the confrontation. She received a ten year prison sentence, bringing Sally Martin’s regular run on the programme to an end after 15 years.

Nicole later indicated from prison that she wanted to divorce Maeve and believed their marriage had already been failing. The character remains alive, but there has been no permanent reunion, leaving one of Maeve’s most important relationships with a painful and unresolved legacy.

Maeve Mullens and Rebekah Anderson

Maeve became involved with Rebekah Anderson without knowing that Rebekah was connected to Wilder’s murder through Brightshine. Rebekah used Maeve’s grief and vulnerability to gain her trust while concealing the truth about the events that had destroyed her family.

Discovering Rebekah’s involvement forced Maeve to confront more than the identity of the person responsible for her son’s death. She also had to accept that someone she had allowed into her life had deliberately manipulated her when she was at her weakest.

Maeve Mullens and Sophia Crane

Maeve’s connection with Dr Sophia Crane began while Sophia was married to Astrid. Sophia explained that the marriage was open, but Maeve struggled with being placed within an arrangement where she could never be certain she would come first.

Their feelings soon became more serious than either woman had expected. Sophia eventually left Astrid after deciding that Maeve was the person she loved, believing the two women were meant to build a life together.

Maeve did not give Sophia the response she expected and instead became involved with paramedic BJ Nicholson. Sophia was left feeling that she had sacrificed her marriage without gaining the future with Maeve she had believed was waiting for her.

Sophia’s departure was not permanent, and she has since returned to Ferndale. She remains in love with Maeve and has asked her to reconsider their relationship, placing the women’s unfinished feelings back at the centre of the current story.

Maeve Mullens and BJ Nicholson

BJ offered Maeve the chance to begin a relationship without the complicated history surrounding Nicole or Sophia. Their connection developed after Maeve had rejected Sophia, but it could not completely remove the questions Sophia had left behind.

Maeve and BJ later ended their relationship, leaving Maeve facing Sophia’s return without the security of another settled romance. The separation also made it clear that BJ was not simply a permanent replacement for the women who had previously shaped Maeve’s life.

Why Maeve’s relationships matter

Maeve’s romantic history has allowed Shortland Street to explore different forms of LGBTQ+ love, including marriage, parenting, domestic abuse, betrayal, open relationships and rebuilding life after bereavement. The programme has never required Maeve’s relationships to be perfect before treating them as worthy of substantial screen time.

That complexity is a major part of Maeve’s appeal. She has experienced love and heartbreak on the same scale as any other central soap character while remaining openly lesbian and fully established within Ferndale.

Frequently asked questions:

Who was Maeve Mullens married to?

Maeve married Nicole Miller after the pair fell in love while working together at Shortland Street Hospital. Nicole later sought a divorce from prison after receiving a ten year sentence for killing Louisa Gunnell.

Was Saskia Maeve’s wife?

Character records are inconsistent over whether Maeve and Saskia were legally married. They are best described as former partners who raised their son, Wilder, together.

Did Sophia leave Astrid for Maeve?

Sophia ended her marriage to Astrid after deciding that Maeve was the woman she loved. Maeve did not respond as Sophia had hoped, although Sophia has since returned and renewed her attempt to be with her.

Are Maeve and Sophia together now?

Maeve and Sophia’s relationship remains unsettled following Sophia’s return. Sophia has admitted that she still loves Maeve, but the programme has not yet presented them as a secure couple.

UK viewers can watch current episodes of Shortland Street free on STV Player, while viewers in New Zealand can stream the programme through TVNZ+. Shortland Street is also listed by 7plus in Australia and RTÉ Player in Ireland, with more Ferndale news and LGBTQ+ coverage available through SoapLandTV. Pictures: TVNZ

*Correct as of Aug 2026