Colette Sheward

Colette Sheward is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actress Louise Delamere. She first appeared in the series sixteen episode "Fait Accompli", broadcast on 3 December 2013. Colette serves as the Director of Nursing Services at Holby City. Delamere was approached for the role and not required to audition. Colette is characterised as a "headstrong" and "compassionate" career woman who fiercely defends her team of nursing staff. Delamere decided that Colette should not have children to represent independent woman. But her solitary trait often leaves her isolated. Colette was introduced as an old friend of CEO Guy Self (John Michie). He offers the job without interviewing her which attracts internal scrutiny. Colette's role at the hospital demands respect from those in nursing roles. While she also maintains influence to reprimand doctors and consultants operating mistreating nurses. Jane Simon of the ''Daily Mirror'' predicted viewer popularity for Colette. She liked her brash persona and reporters from ''Inside Soap'' and ''What's on TV'' called her a "no-nonsense" character.

Development

Casting

On 28 August 2013, the BBC released a statement detailing Delamere's casting as Colette Sheward. They revealed that the character would be introduced as the Director of Nursing. Billed as "tough-talking, politically incorrect, funny and loyal", Colette's inclusion would see the show's nursing team garner her fierce support. Delamere stated that she was pleased to join ''Holby City'' as such a "surprising and funny character". She was not required to audition for the role as she was directly approached by the production team. The actress was unsure that she wanted to role until she read the character breakdown. Colette's witty personality appealed to Delamere and she took the role on.

In October 2014, Laura-Jayne Tyler from ''Inside Soap'' confirmed that Delamere would be leaving the show.

Characterisation

Colette is characterised as a smart and compassionate nurse with a sense of humour. She conducts herself with a headstrong approach. But she is a "dark horse" with firm boundaries and refuses to let others get too close. Delamere told Kirsty Nutkins of the '' Daily Express'' that she is foremost a career woman and a "bit of a warrior". She makes it her duty to defend and speak in favour the hospital's nursing staff. But Colette demands respect from those who rank below her even if they are unwilling to show her any. Delamere explained that this trait "leads to some quite interesting confrontations." Colette holds high regard for authenticity in her staff because she dislikes phoniness. She tends to inspire while leading her team - but her solitary manner and reluctance to ask for help can make her feel isolated. Despite her strong personality, Colette is not "strident or bitchy".

Delamere based Colette's persona on her Aunt Jac, a nurse during the 1960s who "called a spade a spade" in her approach to work. Colette also sees herself as a role model to other women. Delamere explained that her character is a single and successful career woman who chose not to have children. She is unapologetic about her lifestyle and champions other women. She also noted that "she hasn't allowed life's challenges and disappointments to make her hard or bitter. Producers let Delamere decide that Colette should not have any children. She read a statistic that one in five British women aged over forty were not mothers and wanted to represent the "footloose and fancy-free" minority.

Introduction and Guy Self

Colette debuts during the episode "Fait Accompli", broadcast on 3 December 2013. She arrives at the hospital a brain tumour patient named Sam Cummings (Daniel Abbott). Then it becomes clear that Colette previously worked with CEO Guy Self John Michie at another hospital. Delamere told Katy Moon [''Inside Soap''] that Colette has been estranged from Guy following the death of his wife. But Colette knows that he is the only one who can perform the necessary operation to save Sam's life. It is following a successful operation performed on Sam, which Colette orchestrated that Guy offers Colette a role at Holby City. She is hesitant and unsure of the offer; Delamere explained that Colette does not entirely trust Guy or know where he is at mentally. Their relationship had become "fraught" while he was grieving.

Michie told Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy that hiring Colette was a part of Guy's plan to establish his power over the hospital. Colette's first storyline block mainly involved working alongside Guy. Delamere told Natalie Dye from ''TV Choice

HOME


Content is Copyleft
Website design, code, and AI is Copyrighted (c) 2014-2017 by Stephen Payne


Consider donating to Wikimedia



As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases