Popular both with fans and critics alike, Michael Galvin has got praise throughout his time on the show getting nominated for Best Actor at the 2008 "Qantas TV and Film Awards" and numerous nominations in the TV Guide Best on the Box Awards. He has been identified as a "key character", who delivers "the shock factor". Following the airing of the show's first ever episode, Colleen Reilly from the "Dominion Sunday Times" noted Chris and Alison's (Danielle Cormack) relationship as a highlight and pondered how it would develop. Reviewer Hugh Sundae of the "New Zealand Herald" praised Galvins acting in the 2010 90 Minute episode saying he was "good" and "consistent". For marketing for Galvin's play "Station to Station", Chris was described as; 'perennially popular'. In 2002, Chris was named the 10th best character to ever feature on the show. In 2012, the character was named as one of the standout characters of the show's first 20 years.