Warriors star Shaun Johnson with actor Ben Barrington on the set of Shorthand Street.

Rugby league star Shaun Johnson has made his acting debut on New Zealand's favourite soap, Shortland Street.

The Warriors star made a surprise visit to the TV2 drama's set on Thursday to visit his friend Grace Palmer, who plays Lucy Rickman on the show, NZME reports.

Johnson, 25, has reportedly been a Shortland Street fan for many years.

SUPPLIED Warriors star Shaun Johnson has made an appearance on Shorthand Street.

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His role on the show remains top-secret, but Palmer told NZME that Johnson was a natural performer and settled into the part well.

"Our director regretted not giving him more lines," she said.

The last surprise celebrity appearance on the South Pacific Pictures production were opera trio Sol3 Mio, who featured in last year's Christmas cliff-hanger.

Others who have featured on the show over the years include Ed Sheeran, Helen Clark, Rachel Hunter and the late Jonah Lomu.