Interview with Diana Kyle Holby City

In continuation of an exclusive series of producer interviews, we recently caught up with Holby City's leading lady Diana Kyle to find out more about what we can expect from the show in the coming weeks and months. Who's coming? Who's going? Who's returning? And will we ever discover anything more about Faye's past? Read on for more...

Do you really think that 'songtages' are appropriate for a serious drama like Holby City?
"Yes - sometimes. On a multi-strand series such as Holby, they are an excellent way of telling stories visually - a moment from each - to open or close an episode or create the passing of time in a concise way for the audience."

Are there any plans for a reduction in the number of songs used per episode?
"I think sometimes it can be highly effective but when there are three per episode, it can also be very jarring.

"We plan to use music carefully in the future - maybe 'songtages', as above - and sourced music within a scene, that is music actually playing in the scene itself, for example on a radio - but less incidental."

As of late, a lot of female cast members have quit - Rebecca Grant, Phoebe Thomas, Patsy Kensit. Do you have any plans to introduce new, full-time characters?
"We have several new cast members joining the programme in Series XIII. A new male consultant will soon hit the Holby wards but he's still to be cast and more newcomers are to come in 2011."

Are there any more departures coming?
"Possibly…"

What about guest artistes?
"To name a few, we have: Thomas Milner (Waterloo Road), Jacqueline Leonard (River City/EastEnders), Ben Jones (Doctors) and Sarah Gallacher (Doctors)."

Have you considered another crossover with Casualty? Or maybe another Casualty@Holby City?
"We are always looking for potential crossovers. Jaye Jacobs (Donna) will be appearing in an episode of Casualty but nothing else is specifically planned at the moment."

Where do you see the show as being in another six months or a year? Will there always be an emphasis on the politics and hierarchy within the hospital, or will that settle to make room for a focus on the nurses and goings-on in the characters' lives outside of the hospital?
"We tell stories about our characters' professional and personal lives - how does one affect the other – the conflict/achievements/failures that all medics must face. Politics and hierarchy will always feature as they are an integral part of the medical world today – but so will the 'goings-on' which we hope you will find unmissable."

Can we expect a reduction in the number of miraculous 'Holby Time' storylines? For example, Chrissie had her miscarriage less than five months before giving birth to baby Daniel, and time seemed to be accelerated with Maria's recovery as she went from being unable to walk to no longer even needing her crutches in the space of three weeks.
"Chrissie's miscarriage was on screen in October and her baby was born prematurely in April so, although time was reduced slightly, it was physically possible. We always research our stories thoroughly with our medical advisors and cheat time as little as possible."

What does the future hold for Michael and Annalese - will she be returning?
"The last time we saw her on screen there was practically no prospect of a loving reunion but they compliment each other wonderfully. Annalese will be returning, but unfortunately someone else may come between her and Michael so I can't guarantee a loving reunion."

Is Linden ever going to be allowed to be truly happy?
"Linden has always been a troubled soul and we take him as close to happiness as we can."

Will we ever discover anything more definitive about Faye's past and in particular the manner in which her husbands came to die? Is she a brutal killer?!
"We don't explore Faye's past fully in the stories to come – she is too busy coping with her pregnancy and who will stand by her. Linden or Joseph?"

Connie's past apparently returns to haunt her...
"Yes, a member of her family will return, giving her much concern, and requiring her to make a major life-changing decision."

And also on the cards...
§ Selling your house to pay for hospital equipment? Who would be so foolish?
§ Sleeping around and using cocaine is not the best way to solve personal problems. But who can't help himself?
§ Who could be worthy of an OBE and why would they be embarrassed?
§ Why try to be good with patients when they only accuse you of sexual harassment?
§ Will the ice maiden discover she has a true friend quite close to home?
§ And what could possibly threaten our man at the top, just as he's trying to impress the Board?