The seventeenth 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 '' ...

'' commenced airing in the United Kingdom 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 14 October 2014 and ran for 52 episodes, ending on 6 October 2015. The series saw the returns of

Oliver Valentine Oliver "Ollie" Valentine is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actor James Anderson. He first appeared in the eleventh series episode "Proceed With Caution", broadcast on 9 June 2009. Oliver wa ...

( James Anderson),

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), and

Essie Harrison Estelle "Essie" Harrison (also Di Lucca) is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actress Kaye Wragg. She first appeared in the series sixteen episode "My Name Is Joe", broadcast on 6 May 2014. Essie arrives ...

(

Kaye Wragg Kaye Michelle Wragg (born 15 December 1972) is an English actress best known for her television roles as Sergeant Diane Noble in ''The Bill'', Kate Oakley in ''No Angels (TV series), No Angels'', Essie Harrison (now known as Essie di Lucca) in ...

). Former series regular

Hari Dhillon Hari Dhillon () is an American television, film and stage actor, best known for playing Michael Spence in British television medical drama series ''Holby City''. His name has also been spelled Hari Dillon and Harry Dillon. Early life and educat ...

returned as

Michael Spence Andrew Michael Spence (born November 7, 1943) is a Canadian-American economist and Nobel laureate. Spence is the William R. Berkley Professor in Economics and Business at the Stern School of Business at New York University, and the Philip H. Kn ...

for a six-episode guest arc. Former cast member

Olga Fedori Olga Victorivna Fedorishcheva (; born 17 March 1984), known as simply Olga Fedori, is a Ukrainian actress who works in English language films and programmes. She is best known for portraying Frieda Petrenko in the BBC medical drama ''Holby City ...

reprised her role as

Frieda Petrenko Frieda Petrenko is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by Olga Fedori. She first appears during the twelfth series episode "Together Alone", originally broadcast on 17 February 2010. Frieda was introduced as a ...

for a guest appearance. The series also saw several actors leave.

Louise Delamere Louise Alexandra Delamere (born 17 June 1969) is an English actress, best known for her roles as Lia in the Channel 4 comedy drama ''No Angels'' and Colette Sheward in the BBC medical drama ''Holby City''. Career Delamere appeared in ''Agatha ...

( Colette Sheward) made her exit in the fourth episode, later followed by

Jules Knight Julian "Jules" Knight (né Kaye; born 22 September 1981) is an English actor and singer. He is best known for being a member of the British vocal group Blake and his portrayal of Harry Tressler in the medical drama ''Holby City''. He left Blak ...

( Harry Tressler) and

Niamh McGrady Niamh McGrady (born 4 October 1982) is a film, stage and television actress from Castlewellan, County Down, Northern Ireland. She is best known for her parts as Mary-Claire Carter in ''Holby City'' and PC Danielle Ferrington in the psychologic ...

( Mary-Claire Carter). Michael Thomson ( Jonny Maconie) departed in episode 27, along with

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 ' ...

(

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 ...

), who made a temporary departure to have her first child. Towards the end of September, the series saw the departure of one of the longest serving characters

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).

Production

The series began airing on Tuesday nights on BBC One from 14 October 2014. Oliver Kent is the executive producer of the show, while Simon Harper serves as the series producer. The series saw the return of

for six episodes, while

Debbie Chazen Deborah Chazen (born 1 September 1971) is an English actress. She is best known for portraying Annie in the BBC comedy ''The Smoking Room'', Big Claire in '' Mine All Mine'', and various roles in the BBC sketch show '' Tittybangbang''. Alongsid ...

was introduced as consultant Fleur Fanshawe for a three-month guest stint. Of her casting, Chazen commented, "I am thrilled to be joining ''Holby'' as the outrageous Fleur – she's going to be a lot of fun to play! I can't wait to stir things up on Keller Ward and am looking forward to being able to tell my family that I'm a doctor at last." Dhillon and Chazen made their appearances in the first episode of the series "'Not Waving But Drowning'". The second episode of the series saw a guest appearance from actress

Wanda Ventham Wanda Ventham (born 5 August 1935) is an English actress with many roles on British television since beginning her career in the 1950s. Ventham played Colonel Virginia Lake in the 1970s science-fiction television series '' UFO'' and had a rec ...

as Myrtle McKee, a patient who is treated by

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). Myrtle is "an older lady of voracious appetites who leads a double life, meeting the needs of her husband before scurrying off to see her lover." In October 2014, it was announced that

, who plays Colette Sheward, would be leaving the show. Delamere made the decision to leave "of her own accord" and Colette departed in the fourth episode on 4 November. The fourth episode also saw guest appearances from

Antony Costa Antony Daniel Costa (born 23 June 1981) is an English singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the boy band Blue. Early life Costa was born in Edgware, North London, Costa attended Hendon School in nearby Barnet. He is half-Greek ...

and Georgia Moffett, as Matthew Pendleton and Briony Whitman, following their debuts in ''Holby City's'' sister show ''

Casualty Casualty may refer to: *Casualty (person), a person who is killed or rendered unfit for service in a war or natural disaster **Civilian casualty, a non-combatant killed or injured in warfare * The emergency department of a hospital, also known as ...

'' on 1 November 2014. The fifth episode featured a storyline that helped commemorate the centenary of the beginning of

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

Nina Toussaint-White Nina Toussaint-White is a British actress, known for her roles as Syd Chambers in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' and Jude Thomas in the ITV2 drama ''Switch''. Her other credits include '' GameFace'' and '' The Feed''. Career In 2009, Toussai ...

also made her first appearance as Sophia Verlaine, an agency nurse and Fleur's love interest. Actress

Anita Dobson Anita, Lady May (born 29 April 1949), known as Anita Dobson, is an English actress and singer. She is best known for playing Landlord, landlady Angie Watts in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' from the show's inception in 1985 until 1988. She ac ...

guest starred as a terminally ill patient named Betty in the tenth episode. Betty played "a pivotal role" in

Zosia March Zosia March (also Self and Valentine) is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actress Camilla Arfwedson. She first appeared in the series fifteen episode "The Kick Inside", broadcast on 10 September 2013. Z ...

's (

Camilla Arfwedson Camilla Katrina Arfwedson ( ; born 16 October 1981) is an English actress. She is known for her roles as Zosia March in ''Holby City'', and being the poster woman for Secret Escapes in 2012−2013. Early life Born in Westminster, London, to a ...

) ongoing mental health storyline. This series saw the returns of

( Guy Henry),

( James Anderson) and Essie Harrison (

). Henrik and Oliver were last seen in 2013, while Essie appeared on a recurring basis in 2014. She became a regular cast member upon her return in episode 26. Henrik returns to the hospital after deciding that he wants to "bring his surgical brilliance back to Holby." Henry expressed his delight at reprising his role, saying "I'm so pleased to be reunited with Mr. Hanssen. He's such a weird and wonderful character to play - I've missed him! And the cast and crew at ''Holby'' are such fun to work with - I've missed them too." While Anderson was equally pleased to be back and said there would be "lots of surprises in store" for Oliver. Oliver made his full-time return on 5 May 2015. The series' first standalone episode was broadcast on 6 January 2015, and focused on the Effanga sisters Mo (

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 ...

) and Adele (

Petra Letang Petra Letang (born 4 May 1979) is a British actress. She played Naomi Julien in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' (2005–2007) and Adele Effanga in ''Holby City'' (2014–2016). Early life Letang is from Plaistow, East London. She is of D ...

). They attended a family wedding, where a shared secret impacted on their futures. Actress

Angela Wynter Angela Wynter (born 14 July 1957) is a Jamaican-British actress. She is known for her role as Yolande Trueman in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' (2003–2008, 2017, 2023–present). In 2021, she joined the cast of the BBC soap opera ''Doctors ...

began her semi-regular role as Ina Effanga, the mother of Mo and Adele, during the standalone episode. The following month, it was announced that

Nina Wadia Nina Wadia (born 18 December 1968) is a British actress. She is known for portraying Zainab Masood in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', Aunty Noor in '' Citizen Khan'', Mrs Hussein in the BBC comedy ''Still Open All Hours'' and for starring i ...

had joined the cast as neurosurgeon Annabelle Cooper. Wadia will make her first of five appearances from 21 April (episode 28). February also saw

(who plays Harry Tressler) confirm his departure. Knight left to concentrate on his music career. Harry and Mary-Claire Carter (

) departed in the 27th episode "Go the Distance" on 14 April 2015. On 4 April 2015, it was announced that Michael Thomson ( Jonny Maconie) had left ''Holby City''. He departed in episode 27, along with

(

), who made a temporary exit for maternity leave, although they both made a guest appearance in episode 37. On 26 May 2015, it was announced former ''

EastEnders ''EastEnders'' is a British television soap opera created by Julia Smith (producer), Julia Smith and Tony Holland which has been broadcast on BBC One since February 1985. Set in the fictional borough of Walford in the East End of London, the ...

'' actress

Gillian Wright Gillian Wright (born 7 December 1959) is an English actress, known for portraying the role of Jean Slater on the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' since 2004, for which she has won numerous awards. She previously worked as a drama teacher and a th ...

was to guest star as "troublesome" patient Lydia Rathbone during the episode broadcast on 2 June. New nurse Cara Martinez (

Niamh Walsh Niamh Walsh (born 17 April 1988) is an Irish actress. Career She is best known for her role as Cara Martinez the in BBC One medical drama ''Holby City''. Walsh also appeared in ''Casualty'' and ''Jekyll and Hyde''. She starred in the Sky 1 per ...

) made her debut during episode 36 which was broadcast on 16 June. Two episodes later, Eleanor Fanyinka was introduced as new Foundation Year 1 doctor Morven Shreve. Towards the end of the series, during episode 50,

(played by Paul Bradley) departed the show after ten years. His exit was kept a secret to surprise viewers. The show's executive producer Oliver Kent commented, "We all adore Elliot Hope and we will miss him like crazy. Paul has been a fabulous member of the ''Holby City'' family for 10 years, and we thank him from the bottom of our hearts for all his incredible work."

Reception

The first episode of the series attracted an overnight audience of 4.64 million, with a 22.4% share in its time slot, making it the show's highest rating since 13 May 2014. This was surpassed in January 2015, when episode thirteen of the series attracted an overnight audience of 5.09 million, with a 23.4% share in its time slot, making it the show's highest figure since January 2014. A ''

Liverpool Daily Post The ''Liverpool Post'' was a newspaper published by Reach plc, Trinity Mirror in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. The newspaper and its website ceased publication on 19 December 2013. Until 13 January 2012 it was a daily morning newspaper, wi ...

'' journalist praised Catherine Russell (

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 ...

) and

Sandra Voe Sandra Voe (born 6 October 1936) is a Scottish actress of film, television, and theatre. Career Television and films Voe began her on screen career in 1966, appearing in an episode of ''Dr. Finlay's Casebook''. She has also appeared in '' ...

(Adrienne McKinnie) for their performances during Adrienne's dementia storyline, saying they had "put us all through the emotional wringer for months". Flynn Sarler from the ''

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 ...

'' gave the thirteenth episode "Brand New You" a mixed review. Sarler thought that the issue of mental health was important, but the only emotion Guy and Zosia incited was boredom. While he liked the Effanga wedding storyline, branding it "much more fascinating". Sarler noted that the 26th episode "Squeeze the Pips" was "for those who want to see nurse Jonny Maconie finally get something he wants". He also found Guy's discomfort around Jonny "a joy to watch". The show's production and editorial teams were nominated for the Achievement in Production accolade at the 2014 Creative Diversity Awards. ''Holby City'' was nominated for Best Drama at the 2015 ''Inside Soap'' Awards. The show also received a nomination in the Soaps and Continuing Series category at the Mind Media Awards for Zosia's bipolar storyline. The fiftieth episode, "At First I was Afraid" by Julia Gilbert earned a nomination in the Best Long Running TV Series category at the 2016

Writers' Guild of Great Britain The Writers' Guild of Great Britain (WGGB), established in 1959, is a trade union for professional writers. It is affiliated with both the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the International Affiliation of Writers Guilds (IAWG). History The u ...

Awards.

Episodes

Cast

Main characters

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 ...

* David Ames as

* James Anderson as

(episode 11, from episode 30) *

* Bob Barrett as

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 ...

* Paul Bradley as

(until episode 50) *

as Colette Sheward (until episode 4) *Eleanor Fanyinka as Morven Shreve (from episode 38) *

Don Gilet Don Gilet (born 17 January 1967) is an English actor. He is best known for his roles as DS Nicky Cole in ''55 Degrees North'', DI Mervin Wilson in ''Death in Paradise'', Lucas Johnson in ''EastEnders'', and Jesse Law in ''Holby City''. Early ...

as Jesse Law (from episode 3) * Guy Henry as

(from episode 29) *

as Harry Tressler (until episode 27) *

Adele Effanga Adele Effanga is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actress Petra Letang. She first appeared in the series fifteen episode "Intuition", broadcast on 14 January 2014. Adele arrives at Holby City hospital to ...

(until episode 27, episodes 37 and 50) *

Joe McFadden Joseph McFadden (born 9 October 1975) is a Scottish actor, best known for his roles in ''The Crow Road'', '' Sex, Chips & Rock n' Roll'', '' Heartbeat'', ''Holby City'', and ''Take The High Road''. He won the 2017 series of the BBC One series ' ...

Raf di Lucca Raffaello "Raf" di Lucca is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actor Joe McFadden. He first appeared in the Holby City series 16, sixteenth series episode "Prince Among Men", broadcast on 28 January 2014. Ra ...

as Mary-Claire Carter (until episode 27) *

John Michie John Michie (born 25 October 1956) is a Scottish television and film actor, known for his roles as DI Robbie Ross in the STV detective drama series ''Taggart'', as Karl Munro in ''Coronation Street'' from 2011 to 2013 and his role as CEO Guy ...

Guy Self Guy Self is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'' played by John Michie. He first appeared in the sixteenth series episode "Sink or Swim", broadcast on 26 November 2013. Guy is a consultant neurosurgeon and Holby City Hos ...

Rob Ostlere Robert Ostlere is a British actor, best known for his portrayal of Arthur Digby in the medical drama ''Holby City''. He made his first appearance on 2 January 2013 and departed on 7 June 2016. Early life Ostlere graduated from the Royal Academy ...

Arthur Digby Arthur Digby is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actor Rob Ostlere. He first appeared in the series fifteen episode "Blood Ties", broadcast on 2 January 2013. Arthur arrives at Holby City hospital to sta ...

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'' ...

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 ...

(episodes 11−32) * Catherine Russell as

* Michael Thomson as Jonny Maconie (until episode 27, episode 37) *

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 ...

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 ...

as Cara Martinez (from episode 36) *

(from episode 26)

Recurring characters

*Macey Chipping as Evie Fletcher (from episode 15) *

Geff Francis Geffrey Francis (born 1964), best known as Geff Francis, is a British actor from England who portrayed Lynford, a hoodlum, in the 1988 drama film ''For Queen and Country''. In 1986, he appeared as the title character in Channel Four's '' Zastro ...

as Clifford George (episodes 29−47) *

Hadley Fraser Hadley Fraser (born Robert Hugh Fraser, April 21, 1980) is an English actor and singer. He made his West End debut as Marius Pontmercy in ''Les Misérables''. He also originated the role of Tiernan for his Broadway debut in '' The Pirate Qu ...

as Sebastian Coulter (episodes 36−49) *

Ben Hull Ben Hull (born 8 November 1972) is an English Actor, Director, Filmmaker and Presenter. Actor Hull's first appearance was in 1994 when he appeared in the ITV drama '' Revelations''. He then went on to appear as Martin Wells in Children's ITV s ...

as Derwood "Mr T" Thompson *

Wendy Kweh Wendy Kweh is an actress of Chinese descent born in Singapore. She migrated to the United Kingdom in 1995. She lives in London. Education She is a RADA graduate in London. Career She made a guest appearance in 2000 before getting a regular part ...

as Amy Teo (until episode 10) *Lisa Marged as Lucy Mottica (episodes 32−45) *

Alan Morrissey Alan Morrissey (born 9 October 1982) is a British actor. He grew up in Stockport at the Farmers Arms Pub, of which his parents were the licensees, before moving to Oldham. Morrissey trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. In 2002 and again in ...

as Kyle Greenham (until episode 12) *

Carli Norris Carli Jo Norris (born 23 June 1974) is an English actress, known for her roles as Anoushka Flynn in '' Doctors'', Martha Kane in ''Hollyoaks'' and taking over the role of Belinda Peacock in ''EastEnders''. Career In June 1997, just before o ...

as Fran Reynolds (from episode 49) *

as Adrienne McKinnie (until episode 6) *

as Ina Effanga (episodes 13−52)

Guest characters

*Imogen Byron as Rachel Levy (episodes 14−19) *

as Fleur Fanshawe (episodes 1−11) *McKell David as Lloyd Kramer (episodes 14−19) *

Sally Dexter Sally Julia Dexter is an English actress of stage and screen. She won the 1987 Olivier Award for Most Promising Newcomer for '' Dalliance''. Her other West End stage credits include the musicals ''Oliver!'' (1994), '' Sister Act'' (2010) and ...

as Brigitte Nye (episodes 44−50) *

(episodes 1−6) *

(episode 50) *Calum Finlay as Aiden Kerrigan (episodes 14−19) *

Jamie Glover Jamie Blair Glover is an English actor. He is best known for playing Andrew Treneman in the BBC One school-based drama series, '' Waterloo Road'', returning to the role in 2023. He was also cast as Harry Potter in the second cast of the West-End ...

as Angus Farrell (episodes 8, 29 and 34) *

Jane Hazlegrove Sarah Jane Hazlegrove (born 17 July 1968) is an English actress, known for portraying the role of Kathleen "Dixie" Dixon in the BBC medical drama ''Casualty''. She has also appeared as Rosie in ''Making Out'', Rosemary Mason in ''Silent Witnes ...

Kathleen "Dixie" Dixon ''Casualty'' is a British medical drama television series that premiered on 6 September 1986 on BBC1. The series was created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin. It is set in the fictional Holby City Hospital, in the equally fictitious city of Holb ...

(episode 30) *

Jody Latham Jody Lee Latham (born 9 January 1983) is an English actor, known for playing Lip Gallagher in the British Channel 4 comedy-drama series '' Shameless'', Calum McKenzie in the ITV drama series '' The Fixer'', Rob Grayson in the BBC One soap ...

as Jed Martinez (from episode 51) *Amy McCallum as Elinor Campbell (episode 3) *

Amanda Mealing Amanda Jane Mealing (born 22 April 1967) is an English actress, director and producer, known for portraying the role of Connie Beauchamp in the BBC medical dramas ''Holby City'' and ''Casualty''. Early life The only adopted member of her fa ...

Connie Beauchamp Connie Beauchamp is a fictional character from the BBC medical dramas ''Holby City'' and ''Casualty'', portrayed by actress Amanda Mealing. She first appeared in the series six, episode 35, "In at the Deep End", broadcast on 1 June 2004, and a ...

(episode 4) *

as Sophia Verlaine (episodes 5−11) *

as Annabelle Cooper (episodes 28−32)

Notes

References

;General * Final viewing figures: ;Specific

External links

''Holby City'' series 17
at

BBC Online BBC Online, formerly known as BBCi, is the BBC's online service. It is a large network of websites including such high-profile sites as BBC News and BBC Sport, Sport, the on-demand video and radio services branded BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, t ...

''Holby City'' series 17
at the

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{{Holby, Holby 17 2014 British television seasons 2015 British television seasons