Serena Campbell, Jonny Maconie and Mo Effanga join Holby City
Holby City has announced the addition of three new regular characters who will debut in May 2012.
The BBC One show will first introduce the "charmingly candid and utterly professional" consultant general surgeon Serena Campbell, played by Catherine Russell (The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Pete versus Life).
Next to join the drama is "cocky and roguish" nurse and transplant coordinator Jonny Maconie (Michael Thomson), who "has no qualms about telling a few white lies to stir up some mischief".
Lastly, Dead Set and Campus star Chizzy Akudolu joins the cast as Jonny's "generous, plain-speaking and warm-hearted" best friend Mo Effanga, who joins Holby as registrar cardiothoracic surgery.
Holby City executive producer Johnathan Young said: "These are three very talented actors and I am delighted to welcome them to the cast.
"There are some dramatic and exciting storylines coming up on Holby City over the next few months and I know our new additions will have an immediate impact."
Holby City continues on BBC One and BBC One HD every Tuesday at 8pm.
Holby City: Catherine Russell talks Serena, Adrienne story future
Holby City airs a big episode for Serena Campbell next week as her relationship with her mother Adrienne comes under close scrutiny at work.
Adrienne, who is suffering from vascular dementia, is admitted to the hospital by Serena following a series of mini-strokes.
When Serena is determined to be closely involved with her mum's care, this causes tension with Raf (Joe McFadden) as he questions her approach. Just when a compromise seems to be reached, things get worse as Adrienne makes some damning accusations against Serena…
Digital Spy recently caught up with Catherine Russell, who plays Serena, to hear more about next week's episodes and her thoughts on the ongoing dementia storyline.
How have you felt about exploring this storyline?
"It's always delightful to get a good meaty storyline, particularly when it involves someone who your character is closely connected to. That brings in a whole new dimension that you don't often get on Holby, because usually our characters are dealing with patients who they don't know. When it's a family member, it obviously adds another element to it which makes it more poignant.
"In this case we're dealing with Serena's mother who has dementia rather than a patient who does, so that brings a completely different light to it. Doctors aren't really supposed to treat their own friends and families, but Serena always seems to try and ignore that rule when it comes to herself! That then adds tensions between herself and her fellow colleagues, so it's a fantastic melting pot of high emotion and medicine at the same time."
Have you had much feedback for the story from the viewers?
"Yes, I have actually because I'm a fan of Twitter, which surprises myself because I can barely turn a television on, let alone deal with that sort of thing! I have had a lot of response on Twitter from people who are really pleased that we're doing this story, because as our population gets older, this is something that is affecting more and more people.
"Rather like any major health issue, it doesn't just affect that person but the entire family too. It can be a very stressful, difficult and depressing condition to deal with, so I've heard from a lot of people who are very grateful to be able to have their story highlighted.
"It's been 100% positive feedback so far from people saying that we're getting it right, which is wonderful. It has been very well-researched and the BBC have worked in conjunction with the Alzheimer's Society on it. I think we've all treated it with the sensitivity that it deserves."
Have you had to do any personal research too?
"I choose to - nobody is standing over us with a stick! To be perfectly honest, it's the beauty of that Google machine. I can run to it and look up any number of articles that I can choose to read. It's been a fantastic source.
"The actress who plays my mother, Sandra Voe, has also been very helpful. Because she has to play the person who has dementia, she went into dementia wards herself to meet people and make sure that she was getting it right. So between me, Sandra, the Google machine, the producers and writers, we've all come to the same point. At the same time, it is a confusing disease because there are so many different elements to it and so many people react to it in different ways."
Was next week's episode one you particularly enjoyed sinking your teeth into?
"It was, yes. To be honest, whenever Sandra appears in a script, I'm clapping my hands with delight because she is so brilliant. I would cross hot coals to play anything with Sandra in, because I know it's going to be a fabulous working environment and I'm very fond of her.
"The episode is a bit depressing and I would be lying if I said it wasn't. It obviously has the ugly side of dementia and the really tragic side of it. That's not to say there isn't some lightness in the episode because there is, of course there is. Thank goodness we have three stories in each episode so you can go to another ward for a bit of lightness! It's also very lovely to be working with Joe McFadden and Alex Walkinshaw, because they're very involved in this particular storyline as well."
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Serena Campbell
© BBC
Serena Campbell
Does filming the emotional scenes ever take its toll?
"Usually I'm not the sort of actor who takes work home with me. If I'm playing somebody very miserable, I don't come home feeling like that on the whole. However, this storyline has had a longevity to it - which is right so we can see the progression of the illness - but it did wear me out a bit, to be honest. It was quite gruelling, but I hope some good work has come out of that."
What can you tell us about the allegations that Adrienne makes against Serena?
"Fletch and Raf discover some bruising on Adrienne. Adrienne seems to accuse Serena of various aggressive behaviours and of stealing her rings - she's very upset about that. Fletch and Raf then have the very uncomfortable and difficult position - given that Serena is their superior - of confronting her with that. The story then unfolds from there."
Does Serena find it difficult when her professional and personal lives collide in a situation like this?
"Yes, I think most of the time she does find it difficult, however I think that it must be a certain amount of comfort to know that she can at least influence her mother's care and have Adrienne under her beady eye as she does. She really is determined not to let Adrienne out of her sight!
"Even though that's against hospital protocol, at least Serena can hand over Adrienne's care to Raf - a colleague who she knows, trusts and likes. In a sense it's a double-edged sword for her. On the one hand, of course you don't want to have your family members coming into the hospital, but if nothing else, at least she can control Adrienne's care. We all know that, if nothing else, Serena Campbell is a controller! She likes to be in control so at least this gives her that."
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Joe McFadden as Raffaello 'Raf' di Lucca in Holby City
© BBC / Kieron McCarron
Joe McFadden as Raf
What else is coming up for Serena?
"The majority of what's coming up is to do with the progression of her mother's dementia and how she does, or does not, cope with that.
"There's also a real genuine, burgeoning friendship and warmth between Serena and Raf. There's some real fun to be had there and some typically drunken evenings! As we know, Serena does like a tipple so I can let our loyal viewers know there's a few more treats in store in terms of her sobriety!"
After more than two years on the show, are you happy to stay around for a while longer?
"I think so! It's up to the producers as to whether they ask me in the first place, but Holby is a bit of a strange TARDIS of a show in terms of time. You walk into the door and suddenly two years has gone by! I've been in theatre shows that have lasted for six months and they've felt like six years, but this is the other way around.
"Time flies by and I think it's because every day is different. We're constantly working with different actors because of the patients who come into the hospital, and the casting department are sensational, so we're always working with really top-quality actors. That's such a treat which keeps us on our toes.
"I'm also lucky with Serena, because she is such a multi-dimensional character and she can go anywhere. She's got the comedy element to her, she's got the fun side to her, the controlling side and the seriousness too. It's never dull. Luckily I never pick up a script and think, 'Oh I'm doing that again?' Holby's team write really fun interesting stuff for me, as well as the serious heavyweight drama which also has its own fascination and challenges. I don't see any reason to go anywhere!"
Holby City offers first look at Bernie and Serena's surprise return
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Holby City has confirmed another character is returning in its final season.
The BBC medical drama has shared a clip on Twitter ahead of tomorrow's (February 8) episode, seeing the return of a beloved couple.
The show's #MondayMotivation video should be enough to get fans through the day, as it sees both Jemma Redgrave as Bernie Wolfe and Catherine Russell as Serena Campbell retuning to the ward.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Your #MondayMotivation - this should take you all the way through till tomorrow evening! 🥰 #Berena #HolbyCity HR pic.twitter.com/3FqhiwOX2Z
? BBC Holby City (@BBCHolbyCity) February 7, 2022
While Bernie's return had been previously announced, Serena's comeback is a delightful surprise for many fans, following what it was thought to be her last appearance in January 2021.
In the video, Donna (Jaye Jacobs) and Dominic (David Ames) discuss keeping an eye on Serena?s nephew Jason (Jules Robertson), who is in the hospital after having been involved in an accident.
"Perhaps we can help with that?" says Serena, as she and Bernie walk into the ward.
Fans learn the two characters were about to get married, with an impatient Sacha (Bob Barrett) asking them questions about the ceremony and how the proposal came about.
Serena explains the wedding hasn't taken place yet as the venue they had chosen changed the date for their big day.
The rest of Sacha's questions ? "Who proposed? Where did it happen? Please tell me you got down on one knee?" ? will probably be answered in the upcoming episode.
Many fans are already calling for a wedding episode, eager to see the romance between Serena and Bernie take centre stage.
