"Episode 1102" is the fiftieth episode of the
twenty-third series of the British
medical drama
A medical drama is a Television film, television movie or film in which events center upon a hospital, clinic, doctor's office, a paramedic, or any other medical topic or environment. Most recent medical drama (film and television), dramatic progra ...
television series ''
Holby City
''Holby City'' (stylised on-screen as HOLBY CIY) is a British medical drama television series that aired weekly on BBC One. It was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a Spin-off (media), spin-off from the established BBC medical drama '' ...
'', and the 1102nd episode of the overall series. It is also ''Holby City's'' final ever episode after the show was cancelled by the
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...
. The episode was written by
Joe Ainsworth
Joe Ainsworth is an English screenwriter. He has written 150+ episodes of the British soap opera ''Brookside''. Career
He has also written for '' The Lakes'', ''Mayo'', ''Merseybeat'' and ''Holby City
''Holby City'' (stylised on-screen as H ...
and directed by David Innes Edwards, and premiered on
BBC One
BBC One is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's oldest and flagship channel, and is known for broadcasting mainstream programming, which includes BBC News television b ...
on 29 March 2022. The show's production team promised fans they would create an ending "it deserves" and began rewriting stories. The writers were used to scripting the show as a continuing drama but the show's end meant they could create closure for all featured characters. Producers were loath to introduce dramatic stunts or explosions in the finale. They favoured an emotional approach with stories that paid homage to the
NHS
The National Health Service (NHS) is the term for the publicly funded health care, publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom: the National Health Service (England), NHS Scotland, NHS Wales, and Health and Social Care (Northern ...
, which they believed were ''Holby City's'' "roots".
The episode features the death of long-featured character
Jac Naylor
Jac Naylor is a fictional character born in Scawsby from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', portrayed by Rosie Marcel. She made her first screen appearance during the series eight episode "Bird on a Wire", which was originally broadcast on ...
(
Rosie Marcel
Rosie Ellen Celine Marcel (born 6 May 1977) is an English retired actress. Marcel is known for her role as Jac Naylor, consultant cardiothoracic surgeon lead in the BBC drama series ''Holby City'', a role she has also played in sister series ' ...
). Earlier episodes had focused on her determination to find a cure for her brain tumour. Jac awakes from surgery and soon dies from a
stroke
Stroke is a medical condition in which poor cerebral circulation, blood flow to a part of the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: brain ischemia, ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and intracranial hemorrhage, hemor ...
after implementing an
advance healthcare directive
An advance healthcare directive, also known as living will, personal directive, advance directive, medical directive or advance decision, is a document in which a person specifies what actions should be taken for their health if they are no longe ...
. Jac's organs are retrieved for transplant procedures and some good comes from her death. Story producer Ben Wadey chose to kill the character off to provide a definitive end for the show. He wanted to ensure viewers were not left feeling the show was left with "unfinished business". Marcel was initially reluctant to portray the story because she wanted Jac to live on. In addition the episode focuses on the remaining regular characters as their stories conclude. Writers were challenged with the task of giving each character a suitable ending either before or during Episode 1102. The episode also features the return of five former characters who make cameo appearances. The show's end credits featured a slow version of the iconic theme tune and a montage of former cast members.
The episode received positive reviews for its emotional scenes and writing. Various critics praised the episode for paying tribute to the
NHS
The National Health Service (NHS) is the term for the publicly funded health care, publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom: the National Health Service (England), NHS Scotland, NHS Wales, and Health and Social Care (Northern ...
. Judith Woods from ''
The Daily Telegraph
''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a British daily broadsheet conservative newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed in the United Kingdom and internationally. It was found ...
'' branded it a "beautifully-judged finale". Hannah Verdier from ''
The Guardian
''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...
'' praised the "dignified" decision to end the show "gracefully" instead of relying on sensational stunts. Jessica Sansome of ''
Manchester Evening News
The ''Manchester Evening News'' (''MEN'') is a regional daily newspaper covering Greater Manchester in North West England, founded in 1868. It is published Monday–Saturday; a Sunday edition, the ''MEN on Sunday'', was launched in February 20 ...
'' believed that the episode was effective in promoting organ donation.
Plot
Jason Haynes
Jason Haynes is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by Jules Robertson. He first appeared in the series eighteen episode "A Partnership, Literally", broadcast on 9 February 2016, and stayed until the show's ...
(Jules Robertson) visits
Jac Naylor
Jac Naylor is a fictional character born in Scawsby from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', portrayed by Rosie Marcel. She made her first screen appearance during the series eight episode "Bird on a Wire", which was originally broadcast on ...
(
Rosie Marcel
Rosie Ellen Celine Marcel (born 6 May 1977) is an English retired actress. Marcel is known for her role as Jac Naylor, consultant cardiothoracic surgeon lead in the BBC drama series ''Holby City'', a role she has also played in sister series ' ...
) and Alexandra 'Lexy' Dunblane (Jenny Howe) on the Darwin ward. Jac has awoken from failed surgery and tells Lexy that she does not want
last rites
The last rites, also known as the Commendation of the Dying, are the last prayers and ministrations given to an individual of Christian faith, when possible, shortly before death. The Commendation of the Dying is practiced in liturgical Chri ...
.
Nicky McKendrick
Nicky McKendrick is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actress Belinda Owusu. She first appeared in the Holby City series 19, series nineteen episode "We Need to Talk About Fredrik", broadcast on 12 Decembe ...
(
Belinda Owusu
Belinda Owusu (born 19 April 1989) is an English actress, known for her roles as Libby Fox in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' and Nicky McKendrick in BBC medical drama series ''Holby City''.
Early and personal life
Owusu was born on 19 April ...
) and Eli Ebrahimi (
Davood Ghadami
Davood Ghadami (; born 13 June 1982) is a British actor. Following his appearances in ''Taggart'' in 2010, he appeared in the BBC medical programmes ''Doctors'' and ''Casualty'' in recurring roles. In 2014, he began portraying the role of Kush ...
) carry out successful heart surgery on a patient.
Henrik Hanssen
Henrik Hanssen is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actor Guy Henry. He made his first appearance in the thirteenth series episode "Shifts", broadcast on 19 October 2010. Hanssen is initially a consultant ...
(
Guy Henry),
Donna Jackson
Donna Jackson is a fictional character from BBC medical dramas ''Holby City'' and ''Casualty (TV series), Casualty'', played by actress Jaye Jacobs. Donna entered ''Holby City'' in its Holby City series 6, sixth series as a Nursing in the United ...
(
Jaye Jacobs
Emma Jaye Jacobs (born 27 May 1982), known professionally as Jaye Jacobs, is an English actress. She is best known for playing the role of Donna Jackson in BBC medical drama series ''Holby City'' (2004-2011, 2017-2022) and ''Casualty'' (2023).
...
) and
Jeong-Soo Han (Chan Woo Lim) work on Keller ward where they care for Lexy, who is in need of a kidney and heart transplant.
Dominic Copeland
Dominic "Dom" Copeland is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actor David Ames. He first appeared in the series fifteen episode "Second Life", broadcast on 23 April 2013. Dom arrives at Holby City hospita ...
(
David Ames),
Ange Godard
Ange Godard is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actress Dawn Steele. She first appeared in the series twenty-one episode "China Crisis", broadcast on 8 January 2019. Ange arrives at Holby City hospital to ...
(
Dawn Steele
Dawn Steele (born 11 December 1975) is a Scottish actress best known for her portrayals of the characters Alexandra "Lexie" MacDonald from the BBC drama '' Monarch of the Glen'', Alice Trevanion in the ITV drama series '' Wild at Heart'' and D ...
),
Josh Hudson (Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge), Madge Britton (
Clare Burt
Clare Burt is an English actress and singer. Her theatre work includes '' Coram Boy'' (2006), ''Cats'', '' Aspects of Love'', '' Sunday in the Park with George'', '' Closer Than Ever'', '' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'', '' Big Fish'', and '' Pal Joey ...
),
Kylie Maddon (Amy Murphy) and
Louis McGerry (Tyler Luke Cunningham) work the shift on AAU ward as they seek a diagnosis for patient Ken Davies (Hamish Clarke). Dominic and Ange argue over Josh's bulimia secret but are forced to work together in an operating theatre to save Ken's life. Ange soon makes peace with Dominic and discusses her future with Josh.
With
Adrian "Fletch" Fletcher
Adrian "Fletch" Fletcher is a fictional character from the BBC medical dramas ''Casualty (TV series), Casualty'' and ''Holby City'', portrayed by Alex Walkinshaw. He appears in ''Casualty'' from its Casualty series 26, twenty-sixth series in 201 ...
(
Alex Walkinshaw
Alex Newcombe Walkinshaw (born 5 October 1974) is a British actor from Barking, England. He has played the long-running roles of Dale "Smithy" Smith in the ITV police procedural series ''The Bill'' and Adrian "Fletch" Fletcher in BBC medic ...
) as her witness, Jac makes an advance directive to request no medical intervention in the event of further complications.
Elliot Hope
Elliot Hope is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama television series ''Holby City'', played by Paul Bradley. The character first appeared on 8 November 2005 in the episode "More Equal Than Others" - series eight, episode four of th ...
(
Paul Bradley) wants to attempt another operation on a reluctant Jac.
Max McGerry (
Jo Martin
Joanna Lisa Martin (born 29 April 1969) is a British actress. On television, she is known for her roles in the BBC series '' The Crouches'' (2003–2005) as Natalie Crouch, '' Back to Life'' (2019–2021) as Janice, ''Holby City'' (2019–2022) ...
) informs
Sacha Levy
Sacha Levy is a fictional character from the BBC One medical drama ''Holby City'', played by Bob Barrett. He made his first appearance in the twelfth series episode "Talk to Me", broadcast on 5 January 2010. Sacha joined the Keller ward staff as ...
(
Bob Barrett) that Jac is nearing the end of her life. When Sacha visits Jac, she suffers a stroke and they prepare to intervene. Fletch interrupts them and makes her advance directive known and they are forced to let her die. They keep a brain-dead Jac's body on a ventilator and prepare her for an organ retrieval procedure. Jac is surrounded by her close friends and colleagues as they reminisce, before taking her body into surgery.
Mo Effanga
Maureen "Mo" Effanga is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actress Chizzy Akudolu. She first appeared in the fourteenth series episode "Double Bubble", broadcast on 22 May 2012. Mo is a consultant cardiot ...
(
Chizzy Akudolu
Andrea Chizoba "Chizzy" Akudolu (born 7 October 1973) is a British actress.
Career
In 2002, Akudolu was one of eight new comedy performers who won the BBC Talent Initiative, The Urban Sketch Showcase. All eight performed a comedy sketch show ...
) arrives at the hospital to carry out Lexy's surgery but is shocked to learn of Jac's death. Lexy receives Jac's heart and after a successful procedure she is transferred to a recovery ward.
Jac provides a voice over as the final scenes roll.
Joseph Byrne (
Luke Roberts Luke Roberts may refer to:
* Luke Roberts (cyclist)
* Luke Roberts (actor)
Luke John Roberts (born 1977) is a British/Canadian actor from Suffolk, England. After his early roles in the ITV soap opera ''Crossroads'' (2003) and the Sky1 series ...
),
Ric Griffin
Kobina Eric "Ric" Griffin is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', portrayed by actor Hugh Quarshie. The character is introduced as a consultant in general surgery during the series four episode " Rogue Males", origina ...
(
Hugh Quarshie
Hugh Anthony Quarshie (born 22 December 1954) is a Ghanaian-born British actor. He is known for his long-running role as Ric Griffin on the BBC One medical drama ''Holby City'' (2001–20), and for playing Captain Panaka in the ''Star Wars'' ...
)
Serena Campbell
Serena Campbell is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by Catherine Russell. She first appeared in the fourteenth series episode "Coercion", broadcast on 1 May 2012. Serena is a consultant general surgeon and ...
(
Catherine Russell) and
Bernie Wolfe (
Jemma Redgrave
Jemima Rebecca "Jemma" Redgrave (born 14 January 1965) is an English actress, and a member of the Redgrave family. She is known for her roles as the title character in '' Bramwell'' (1995–1998) and as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart in ''Doctor Who'' ...
) all receive Jac's organs at various locations to perform transplant procedures. Henrik travels to Leeds reunited with his love interest Russell "Russ" Faber (
Simon Slater
Simon Slater (born 28 November 1959) is a British music director, composer, narrator, and actor. He has composed more than 300 original music scores for film, theatre, TV and radio, and is a member of the British Academy of Composers and Son ...
). All medical staff on the three main wards are notified about a major incident and they rush outside to attend the emergency; despite not being given time to adjust to their grief.
Production
Background
On 2 June 2021, it was announced that the
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...
had decided to cancel ''Holby City'' at the end of its twenty-third series. It was confirmed that the final episode would be broadcast in March 2022.
A statement issued via the show's social media accounts detailed that the BBC had decided to end the show to create more diverse productions across the United Kingdom. The statement explained it was "to better reflect, represent and serve all parts of the country."
[ The BBC added their intention to "reshape" their "drama slate" without ''Holby City'' on their broadcasting schedule.][ Director of BBC Drama ]Piers Wenger
Piers Wenger is a British television executive who has served as controller of BBC drama commissioning since 2016.
Early life
Wenger was born Piers John Wenger in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, on 29 June 1972.
Career
As a producer, W ...
explained that it was "an incredibly difficult decision that took time to come to." Despite this, the BBC made a commitment to work with the ''Holby City'' production team to ensure that the show ended "on a high".[ The production team also promised that the show would receive the "send-off it deserves".][
Fans of the show launched a ]Change.org
Change.org is a website which allows users to create and sign petitions in an attempt to advance various social causes by raising awareness and influencing decision-makers. The site is a US-based for-profit company and claims to have 551 million ...
petition to save ''Holby City'', with it reaching over 30,000 signatures in the immediate weeks following the cancellation, and 43,700 by December 2021. The BBC decided to end the show regardless of the petition.[ It was confirmed on 2 March 2022 that the final episode would premiere on 29 March 2022.
]
Development
The show's writing team were accustomed to scripting continuing drama but not a series with a clear ending. They changed their writing strategy when the BBC axed ''Holby City''. This allowed them to create suitable endings to each character's story and they chose to conclude the stories of some of the characters in Episode 1102. The story team decided early on that the finale would not feature stunts and explosions. They wanted to end the show on its core values shared with the NHS
The National Health Service (NHS) is the term for the publicly funded health care, publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom: the National Health Service (England), NHS Scotland, NHS Wales, and Health and Social Care (Northern ...
.[ This theme united the writers who all had a "common theme" which they used to script the finale. Story producer Ben Wadey stated that theme was "to show the resilience in characters who work there all of the time, they give their lives to the profession."][ Once completed, the show's production were initially secretive regarding details of the episode. In November 2021, ]Rosie Marcel
Rosie Ellen Celine Marcel (born 6 May 1977) is an English retired actress. Marcel is known for her role as Jac Naylor, consultant cardiothoracic surgeon lead in the BBC drama series ''Holby City'', a role she has also played in sister series ' ...
who plays Jac Naylor
Jac Naylor is a fictional character born in Scawsby from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', portrayed by Rosie Marcel. She made her first screen appearance during the series eight episode "Bird on a Wire", which was originally broadcast on ...
told Laura-Jayne Tyler from ''Inside Soap
''Inside Soap'' is a weekly soap opera and television listings magazine published in the United Kingdom. The magazine is currently released every Tuesday. It covers storylines featured in British and Australian soap operas that are broadcast in t ...
'' that the final episode would be "spectacular" and "amazing". She also revealed that multiple former cast members would return for the episode. Marcel described the ending of "Episode 1102" as "a massive nod to the NHS and to everyone making this show."[ David Ames (]Dominic Copeland
Dominic "Dom" Copeland is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actor David Ames. He first appeared in the series fifteen episode "Second Life", broadcast on 23 April 2013. Dom arrives at Holby City hospita ...
) added that "it's going to be really gorgeous. We know that the audience are going to love it as well."
The episode features the death of Jac and this was planned well in advance. Marcel's longevity made Jac one of the show's long-featured characters. Producers informed Marcel, who was upset with their decision and she fought with them. Marcel revealed that she became "exhausted" trying to reverse their decision and they eventually discussed Jac's death in more depth. She "begrudgingly" accepted her character's demise and decided to concentrate on making her death "the best it could possibly be".[ The episode is heavily centric to Jac's demise. Marcel felt that it was a compliment from the production team but worried other characters would be side-lined. However, during the episode writers created moments for every character "to shine".][ ''Inside Soap's'' Tyler revealed that the episode would focus on the immediate aftermath of Jac's failed surgery to remove a terminal brain tumour. She added that viewers would learn how bold ''Holby City'' is in regards to the mortality of their most popular character.][ The episode also features former character ]Elliot Hope
Elliot Hope is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama television series ''Holby City'', played by Paul Bradley. The character first appeared on 8 November 2005 in the episode "More Equal Than Others" - series eight, episode four of th ...
( Paul Bradley), who had returned to the series in prior episodes to perform Jac's surgery.[
''Holby City's'' story producer Ben Wadey did not want to leave viewers feeling "frustration" that the show had "unfinished business".] He believed that the finality of the show ending created grief and that it was the end of an era. He wanted to ensure this was personified in the story and believed Jac was the right character to end the show with.[ Jac was often portrayed as determined to survive her brain tumour and find a cure. Wadey explained that in reality people do not survive and the NHS do not always cure everyone. He wanted the show to end realistically and go back to its "roots for the finale". He believed that Jac's condition was fragile and to conjure up a miracle cure would have been misleading.][
The episode did not just revolve around Jac's death as other regular character's stories were given a conclusion. Marcel explained "it's a nod to everyone who worked on the show."] Dawn Steele
Dawn Steele (born 11 December 1975) is a Scottish actress best known for her portrayals of the characters Alexandra "Lexie" MacDonald from the BBC drama '' Monarch of the Glen'', Alice Trevanion in the ITV drama series '' Wild at Heart'' and D ...
who plays Ange Godard
Ange Godard is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actress Dawn Steele. She first appeared in the series twenty-one episode "China Crisis", broadcast on 8 January 2019. Ange arrives at Holby City hospital to ...
revealed that her character gains closure in the final episode. Ange shares her final scene on the AAU ward with her fiancée Josh Hudson (Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge) and her son Dominic, where they are all at peace with one another. Steele said it was "full of emotion" and "it really finishes all our story off really nicely, but with a kind of forward thinking into the future, on they go, it's not fully conclusive."[ Steele told Victoria Wilson from '']TVTimes
''TV Times'' is a British television listings magazine. From 1955 until 1991, it was the only source of seven-day listings for ITV and, from 1982, Channel 4 (as well as S4C in Wales in an enclosed local supplement titled '' Sbec''). The magaz ...
'' that "our final story is emotional. It ties things up and does Ange and Dom's story justice." Another character whose story is given a full conclusion in the episode is Henrik Hanssen
Henrik Hanssen is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actor Guy Henry. He made his first appearance in the thirteenth series episode "Shifts", broadcast on 19 October 2010. Hanssen is initially a consultant ...
( Guy Henry). He teased "a twinkle of happiness" for the character, referring to Henrik going off to be with his love interest Russell "Russ" Faber (Simon Slater
Simon Slater (born 28 November 1959) is a British music director, composer, narrator, and actor. He has composed more than 300 original music scores for film, theatre, TV and radio, and is a member of the British Academy of Composers and Son ...
).[ Wadey said that writers chose to have the character finally declare his love for someone in the finale. He added that for Henrik it was the "biggest thing he could ever do in his life."][ In addition, writers created other smaller stories such as ]Nicky McKendrick
Nicky McKendrick is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actress Belinda Owusu. She first appeared in the Holby City series 19, series nineteen episode "We Need to Talk About Fredrik", broadcast on 12 Decembe ...
(Belinda Owusu
Belinda Owusu (born 19 April 1989) is an English actress, known for her roles as Libby Fox in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' and Nicky McKendrick in BBC medical drama series ''Holby City''.
Early and personal life
Owusu was born on 19 April ...
) performing surgery on a beating heart and an ending for the recurring character Alexandra 'Lexy' Dunblane (Jenny Howe).[ Bob Barrett who plays ]Sacha Levy
Sacha Levy is a fictional character from the BBC One medical drama ''Holby City'', played by Bob Barrett. He made his first appearance in the twelfth series episode "Talk to Me", broadcast on 5 January 2010. Sacha joined the Keller ward staff as ...
added, "it's an incredible and fitting ending."[
Producers decided to bring back various characters for the episode, which included Joseph Byrne (]Luke Roberts Luke Roberts may refer to:
* Luke Roberts (cyclist)
* Luke Roberts (actor)
Luke John Roberts (born 1977) is a British/Canadian actor from Suffolk, England. After his early roles in the ITV soap opera ''Crossroads'' (2003) and the Sky1 series ...
), Mo Effanga
Maureen "Mo" Effanga is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actress Chizzy Akudolu. She first appeared in the fourteenth series episode "Double Bubble", broadcast on 22 May 2012. Mo is a consultant cardiot ...
(Chizzy Akudolu
Andrea Chizoba "Chizzy" Akudolu (born 7 October 1973) is a British actress.
Career
In 2002, Akudolu was one of eight new comedy performers who won the BBC Talent Initiative, The Urban Sketch Showcase. All eight performed a comedy sketch show ...
), Ric Griffin
Kobina Eric "Ric" Griffin is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', portrayed by actor Hugh Quarshie. The character is introduced as a consultant in general surgery during the series four episode " Rogue Males", origina ...
(Hugh Quarshie
Hugh Anthony Quarshie (born 22 December 1954) is a Ghanaian-born British actor. He is known for his long-running role as Ric Griffin on the BBC One medical drama ''Holby City'' (2001–20), and for playing Captain Panaka in the ''Star Wars'' ...
) Serena Campbell
Serena Campbell is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by Catherine Russell. She first appeared in the fourteenth series episode "Coercion", broadcast on 1 May 2012. Serena is a consultant general surgeon and ...
( Catherine Russell) and Bernie Wolfe (Jemma Redgrave
Jemima Rebecca "Jemma" Redgrave (born 14 January 1965) is an English actress, and a member of the Redgrave family. She is known for her roles as the title character in '' Bramwell'' (1995–1998) and as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart in ''Doctor Who'' ...
). The characters return in scenes depicting organ transplant procedures using Jac's organs.[ Wadey said that the scenes were used to give viewers "snippets of joy" from Jac's death. He added that having various former cast members in the scenes were to show "that life goes on".][ It was Marcel's request that Joseph returned for the scenes because she wanted closure for the character's relationship.][ Marcel said that she "had to fight" for Joseph to collect Jac's organ and transplant it. Producers informed Marcel that Joseph had left his career in surgery to become a ]general practitioner
A general practitioner (GP) is a doctor who is a Consultant (medicine), consultant in general practice.
GPs have distinct expertise and experience in providing whole person medical care, whilst managing the complexity, uncertainty and risk ass ...
, but Marcel remained insistent.[
Writers paid homage to the NHS in the final scenes of the episode. The hospital staff continue treating patients and responding to emergencies, despite Jac's death.] Ames told Calli Kitson from ''Metro
Metro may refer to:
Geography
* Metro City (Indonesia), a city in Indonesia
* A metropolitan area, the populated region including and surrounding an urban center
Public transport
* Rapid transit, a passenger railway in an urban area with high ...
'' that "the hospital must go on" to represent the NHS and "to show that while other people's lives have dramas going on they still do their job and they still keep going, and that's what we wanted to depict."[ ]Davood Ghadami
Davood Ghadami (; born 13 June 1982) is a British actor. Following his appearances in ''Taggart'' in 2010, he appeared in the BBC medical programmes ''Doctors'' and ''Casualty'' in recurring roles. In 2014, he began portraying the role of Kush ...
(Eli Ebrahimi) believed the episode did the show's end "a whole a huge amount of justice". He described the structure of the episode as a "slow burn" with a "slow gut punch" by the end. He described the final scenes as "many amazing shots at the end and the conversations between the characters" with a "definitive end to something that continues."[ Wadey said that he "loved" the final scenes with Jac's monologue because "it makes sense in that moment."][
]
Filming
Details regarding the filming of "Episode 1102" were well documented via the cast's social media accounts due to the finality of the episode. Filming concluded on 17 December 2021 and subsequently various cast members were emotional. Ghadami said it was a "tough" experience and he was not ready to say goodbye to the show. Belinda Owusu
Belinda Owusu (born 19 April 1989) is an English actress, known for her roles as Libby Fox in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' and Nicky McKendrick in BBC medical drama series ''Holby City''.
Early and personal life
Owusu was born on 19 April ...
(Nicky McKendrick
Nicky McKendrick is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actress Belinda Owusu. She first appeared in the Holby City series 19, series nineteen episode "We Need to Talk About Fredrik", broadcast on 12 Decembe ...
) felt lucky to be working on the episode and Ames stated that "emotions are running high but we have pretend lives to save."[ With the show's imminent end, Bradley and Marcel were emotional in-between and they tried to utilise this emotion during filming the sad scenes.][
Marcel later told Tyler that the final episodes were some of the best from the show's history. She explained that because the BBC forced its end, the cast delivered "something outstanding". Marcel explained that the attitude on set was "sod them - were going to do this to the best of our ability."] Filming the show's final scenes was documented via a series of interviews, which were combined and released on the official ''Holby City'' website for their behind the scenes content. Cast members described their experiences filming on sets and locations for the final time.[ A drone was used for filming the outro scenes of the episode. It raised high above the hospital and filmed the cast performing emergency medicine for a final time. Wadey stated that he "loved" the shot because it perfectly depicted their role in saving lives.][
]
Promotion and broadcast
In the build up to the episode's broadcast, cast members such as Rosie Marcel and Alex Walkinshaw gave interviews with press to promote the show's end.[ Ahead of the episode's release, former cast members filmed good-bye messages to commemorate the end of ''Holby City''. The full details of the episode were kept a secret until it was broadcast.
On 22 March 2022, the BBC released a spoiler clip from the episode. On 25 March, a promotional trailer for the episode which also featured archive footage was broadcast. Sam Warner from ]Digital Spy
Digital Spy (DS) is a British-based entertainment, television and film website and brand and is the largest digital property at Hearst UK. Since its initial launch in 1999, Digital Spy has focused on entertainment news related to television pro ...
branded the trailer "emotional" and warned viewers that it meant the episode would garner similar emotion. An additional spoiler clip was showcased on the day of "Episode 1102's" broadcast.
The episode premiered on BBC One
BBC One is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's oldest and flagship channel, and is known for broadcasting mainstream programming, which includes BBC News television b ...
on 29 March 2022 at 7:50 PM and was available to watch or download on BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer (stylised as iPLAYER or BBC iPLAYER) is a video on demand service from the BBC. The service is available Over-the-top media service, over-the-top on a wide range of devices, including Mobile phone, mobile phones and Tablet computer ...
for eleven months after its broadcast.[ It was also repeated on ]BBC Two
BBC Two is a British free-to-air Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom, public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's second flagship channel, and it covers a wide range of subject matte ...
on 4 April 2022.
Reception
The episode was watched live by 3.1 million viewers. Gemma Jones of the ''Liverpool Echo
The ''Liverpool Echo'' is a newspaper published by Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales – a subsidiary company of Reach plc and is based in St. Paul's Square, Liverpool, England. It is published Monday through Sunday, and is Liverpool's da ...
'' branded Jac's death as "emotional" to the point it left fans "heartbroken" and in tears. David Brown from ''Radio Times
''Radio Times'' is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in September 1923 by John Reith, then general manage ...
'' branded Jac's demise a metaphor for ''Holby City's'' end in which neither could be saved. Brown praised writers for keeping the episode's emphasis on the regular characters of the show rather than opting for "some crash-bang-wallop stunt". He concluded that the cameo appearances from past characters were "poignant".[ His colleague Laura Denby added that Jac's demise was the "ending nobody wanted". She also praised Jac's consistent writing in which she continues to make sarcastic comments despite facing death. Denby concluded that producers were correct to kill Jac off because a series finale episode needs a "game-changing narrative" to create a "big farewell". Claire Ruck from ''TVTimes'' chose the episode as their drama pick of the week to watch. She stated "what a watch" and branded the show "brilliant" in the build up to the finale. The episode was selected as a television highlight of the day by John Byrne for '']RTÉ
(; ; RTÉThe É in RTÉ is pronounced as an English E () and not an Irish É ()) is an Irish public service broadcaster. It both produces and broadcasts programmes on television, radio and online. The radio service began on 1 January 1926, ...
'', and Caroline Delaney for ''The Irish Examiner
The ''Irish Examiner'', formerly ''The Cork Examiner'' and then ''The Examiner'', is an Irish national daily newspaper which primarily circulates in the Munster region surrounding its base in Cork, though it is available throughout the country ...
''. Kevin Courtney of ''The Irish Times
''The Irish Times'' is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper and online digital publication. It was launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Ruadhán Mac Cormaic. It is published every day except Sundays. ''The Irish Times'' is Ireland's leading n ...
'' chose the episode as one of "the best shows to watch this week". He added that the decision to cancel the show was "shocking".[ Elaine Reilly from '']What's on TV
''What's on TV'' is a weekly television listings magazine published by Future PLC.
Overview
''What's on TV'' is a weekly UK television magazine. It publishes features, TV listings, news and gossip from soap operas, as well as puzzles and com ...
'' chose the episode in the magazines "hot TV" of the week feature. She called the episode an "emotional farewell" and opined that it is a "tear-jerker and a goodbye to remember". Their colleague Victoria Wilson, this time writing for Whattowatch.com
''What's on TV'' is a weekly television listings magazine published by Future PLC.
Overview
''What's on TV'' is a weekly UK television magazine. It publishes features, TV listings, news and gossip from soap operas, as well as puzzles and compe ...
said that various returning characters gave the show a "fitting finale" for a continuing drama. Wilson also wrote a feature counting down the top five moments from the episode.
Sue Haasler from ''Metro'' praised the episode and the inclusion of "humour in among all the tragedy" as characters recount their favourite insults that Jac made. She stated that Jac's death created a "profound story" of the NHS continuing despite death. She branded the retrieval of Jac's organs as "beautiful final scenes" and the finale scene "a love letter to the NHS". Sophie Dainty opined that the episode scripts were realistic regarding Jac's death. Dainty reasoned that her death was unavoidable because creating a miracle cure would have appeared too fictitious. She declared that Jac dying with the show itself was "visceral and immeasurably sad" and "felt entirely poignant, if not utterly heartbreaking."[ Dainty concluded that the episode contained "subtle irony to overt symbolism" and overall it was "a celebration" of the NHS, Jac Naylor, ''Holby City'' and its fans.][
]
Hannah Verdier from ''The Guardian
''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...
'' praised ''Holby City'' for not relying on sensation to end the series. She said that unlike ''Brookside Brookside may refer to:
Geography Canada
* Brookside, Edmonton
* Brookside, Newfoundland and Labrador
* Brookside, Nova Scotia
United Kingdom
* Brookside, Berkshire, England
* Brookside, Telford, an area of Telford, England
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* Bro ...
'' and '' Eldorado'', the show gave a final episode "far more dignified" by "going out gracefully" with a "beautifully and subtly played goodbye." Verdier believed that Jac's death from a quiet stroke rather than a dramatic stunt was "all the more powerful".[ She concluded that the episode is "full of warmth and a great fondness for the NHS" and it "celebrates a hospital full of characters with good intentions."][ Judith Woods from '']The Daily Telegraph
''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a British daily broadsheet conservative newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed in the United Kingdom and internationally. It was found ...
'' branded it a "beautifully-judged finale", "the most powerful encomium" and "the most poignant love letter to the NHS". Woods said it contained digs at the Conservative party and "only a churl" would not "cheer" with its final scene. She concluded that the episode was "dignified, deeply moving and written with great mastery" and "had all the heft of an ending without feeling like the end."[ The episode featured alternate credits depicting former cast members. Louis Chilton from '']The Independent
''The Independent'' is a British online newspaper. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper. Nicknamed the ''Indy'', it began as a broadsheet and changed to tabloid format in 2003. The last printed edition was publis ...
'' described the credits as "a mournful, slowed-down version" of the ''Holby City'' theme. Chilton branded the episode an "emotional finale" and the final scenes "a heartfelt tribute to the NHS."
Alex Ross from Hits Radio
Hits Radio is a network of 26 contemporary hit radio stations in the United Kingdom, owned and operated by Bauer Media Audio UK. The network launched in 2018 with the rebranding of Bauer's Manchester station Key 103 and its merger with The Hi ...
branded the episode the "end of an era" with a "tragic ending". He believed that viewers were given a "complete shock, with many devastated at the script." Alice Dear from Heart
The heart is a muscular Organ (biology), organ found in humans and other animals. This organ pumps blood through the blood vessels. The heart and blood vessels together make the circulatory system. The pumped blood carries oxygen and nutrie ...
radio opined that the episode "paid tribute to the NHS" and stated that viewers applauded the writers, cast and the production team. Television presenter Lorraine Kelly
Lorraine Kelly (born 30 November 1959) is a Scottish television presenter. She has presented various television shows for ITV and STV, including '' Good Morning Britain'' (1988–1992), ''GMTV'' (1993–2010), ''This Morning'' (2003–2005, ...
praised the episode and stated "what a truly beautiful and fitting ending." Rebecca Cook writing for the ''Daily Mirror
The ''Daily Mirror'' is a British national daily Tabloid journalism, tabloid newspaper. Founded in 1903, it is part of Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), which is owned by parent company Reach plc. From 1985 to 1987, and from 1997 to 2002, the tit ...
'' stated that it was an "emotional final episode" and "final poignant tribute" to the NHS. Cook thought Jac's death was the "tragic centrepiece of the episode" and Henrik and Russ' scene a "touching final reunion". Mollie Quirk, also from ''Daily Mirror'' stated that "fans were left devastated" by the ending. She opined that Max and Sacha's reaction to Jac's inevitable death created "emotional scenes". Cathy Owen from ''Wales Online
Media Wales Ltd. is a publishing company based in Cardiff, Wales. As of 2009 it was owned by Reach plc (formerly known as the Trinity Mirror Group). It was previously known as the Western Mail & Echo Ltd.
History
The ''Western Mail'' was fou ...
'' believed "it was emotional for different reasons" including Jac's death alongside Max and Sacha's reactions. They described the episode's ending as "heartbreaking closing moments" and noted fans were expressing their upset via social media networks. Jessica Sansome of ''Manchester Evening News
The ''Manchester Evening News'' (''MEN'') is a regional daily newspaper covering Greater Manchester in North West England, founded in 1868. It is published Monday–Saturday; a Sunday edition, the ''MEN on Sunday'', was launched in February 20 ...
'' believed that the episode was effective in showing the possible lives that organ donation can save. She also noted that it portrayed the dedication of NHS colleagues positively.
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Episode 1102
2020s British television series finales
2022 British television episodes
Holby City episodes
Television episodes set in hospitals
Television episodes about cancer
Television episodes about death