Lofty and Donna return to Holby City

[Perdita]

The cast of Holby City is in for a major shake-up as two familiar faces join the staff in the upcoming weeks.

Casualty's Lee Mead will be crossing over to Holby City as Ben 'Lofty' Chiltern returns to the hospital nearly a year after he resigned from the nursing staff to retrain in bereavement counselling in Australia.

"I'm really excited to be coming back as Lofty, I've missed him," Mead said. "I'm looking forward to being in a new part of the Holby hospital and seeing what it has in store for him next."

Max Walker and Ben 'Lofty' Chiltern in Casualty
Lofty is only one of the returning staff in the months ahead, as Jaye Jacobs pops up again as bubbly nurse Donna Jackson after nearly six years away.

Donna says she's merely coming back to work as a service to her patients since she's married a rich footballer - but is she hiding something?

"Donna and I have unfinished business. She's flirty, brash and ballsy. I've missed her," Jacobs admitted.

Tony Marshall (plays Noel Garcia), Holby City's Jaye Jacobs (plays Donna Jackson) and Suzanne Packer (plays Tess Bateman)
© BBC
We'll also meet two new members of staff, the tough-as-nails but good-hearted general surgeon Nina Karnik (Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones actress Ayesha Dharker) and the excitable new F1 Damon Ford (EastEnders' David Ajao).

"I'm beyond excited to welcome onto the wards two new faces, a returning face and a much loved Casualty character," producer Simon Harper announced. "It's thrilling to bring Jaye back as the sparky, irreverent Donna, one of the most popular and iconic Holby characters ever and equally so to have Lee make the 'trip upstairs' as Lofty.

"Keller Ward is going through some dark times, so Lofty's trademark warmth and kindness will come at just the right moment. We've been trying to tempt the talented Ayesha with the right role for a while, and as Nina, she plays an emotionally compelling character with a mysterious past.

"David is a really exciting new talent who in his brilliant audition brought Damon's energy and idealism to life."

All four new characters will debut this spring.

Digital Spy

[Rear window]

Who?

For those of us who haven't watched Casualty for 15 years...

Is it strange that I love Holby but can't stand the stress of waiting for an accident to happen and so had to stop watching Casualty?

[kaz21]

I don't remember donna much. Did she have a thing with Sam before him and Connie. She got a bit obsessed with him?

[hward]

Glad Donna is coming back, I always liked her.

[HarryHedgehog]

I don't remember donna much. Did she have a thing with Sam before him and Connie. She got a bit obsessed with him?

Donna had a thing for most of the doctors although Michael Spence had an affair with her whilst married to Annalise(?).
Happy she's making a return however brief the appearance Jaye Jacobs always added life to the show.

[hward]

Oh I didn't realise it was only a short return, I thought it was permanent

[HarryHedgehog]

Oh I didn't realise it was only a short return, I thought it was permanent

Apologies, I have no idea how long the return is for. I meant that however brief the appearance on screen, Donna generally livened things up.
[post now edited to reflect this]

[kaz21]

Donna had a thing for most of the doctors although Michael Spence had an affair with her whilst married to Annalise(?).
Happy she's making a return however brief. Jaye Jacobs always added life to the show.

Thanks, I knew it was one of the doctors.

[hward]

Who?

For those of us who haven't watched Casualty for 15 years...

Is it strange that I love Holby but can't stand the stress of waiting for an accident to happen and so had to stop watching Casualty?

I'm exactly the same, love Holby but can't stand casualty.

Kaz21 - Donna had a thing with Michael but wasn't it maddy who had a fling with Sam? But I could be mistaken.

[kaz21]

I'm exactly the same, love Holby but can't stand casualty.

Kaz21 - Donna had a thing with Michael but wasn't it maddy who had a fling with Sam? But I could be mistaken.

Thanks couldn't remeber.