Over 23 years, BBC hospital drama Holby City has seen its fair share of drama amongst staff and patients. But despite an outcry from fans and almost 44k signatures on a petition from viewers desperate to stop the long-running drama from being axed, the show will conclude on March 29.
The shock announcement of the medical soap's cancellation came in June 2021, when the BBC announced after more than two decades, it would be scrapped. In tonight's final episode - which is sure to be an emotional viewing for both fans and the stellar cast - the drama will see the return of some iconic characters for one last time.
It's not just the fans feeling cut up over the soap's conclusion, some of the long-standing cast are still in shock that it's finally over. "It still doesn’t feel real," Rosie Marcel, who has starred as doctor Jac Naylor for 16 years, explained to The Mirror: "I have loved playing Jac. I thought I would be playing Jac for the rest of my life actually because I loved her. Jac's my friend. I know she's not a real person but of course, she's me."
Rosie first appeared in Holby back in 2005 and was set to celebrate 17 years on the soap in November. The actress added: "I've taken breaks before. But I've always known that I was going back. When you stop, it's confusing." She has however teased of a Strictly Come Dancing appearance as she explained how she'd be happy to follow in the footsteps of her co-stars 2017 winner Joe McFadden, Chizzy Akudolu and Jaye Jacobs. "I'd love to do it. I’d be the next Ann Widdecombe," she said.
Locum registrar Sacha Levy has been played by Bob Barrett since 2010, when his arrival shocked nurse Chrissie, played by Tina Hobley but he has also been left shocked by the decision to end the drama. "I didn't see it coming," Bob told The Mirror: "The show is as good as it's been. It's finishing but it's a bit of a golden age."
Jaye Jacobs, who joined in 2004 as nurse Donna Jackson, said landing her role in Holby City was a monumental moment. "Holby changed my life," Jaye explained: "My agent called me, and he said, where are you? Because you will remember this moment. Holby was massive then. It was the most diverse show on terrestrial TV. That's why I watched it, because there were so many black and brown faces in it. It was brilliant in every way."
The actress took a break from the continuing drama to join Waterloo Road in 2013 before returning to reprise her Holby role in 2017. Speaking of her favourite storylines she said: "There was the affair with Michael Spence and his shiny suits. "There was cocaine with Robert Powell's character... and there was the great story with Clarke Peters, who played my father. I've loved my time."
Holby City first started out as a spin-off to Casualty back in 1999 with only nine episodes before moving to airing 52 weeks of the year. As well as the regular stellar cast members, Holby also attracted some famous faces over the years including Michael Fassbender, Jodie Comer, Paul O'Grady Olivia Colman and Sheridan Smith.
"I remember Maureen Lipman, Brian Murphy who was in George and Mildred," Bob Barrett explained: "I was doing a scene with Brian and I called him George. Everyone laughed. I loved him, I had a wonderful time with him. My favourite was Dudley Sutton, if you remember him from Lovejoy."
Joe McFadden who played Raf di Lucca between 2014 and 2017 tweeted on Tuesday ahead of the final: "Fond farewell to @BBCHolbyCity on the day of its last episode. Was a special time in my life."
Holby City's final episode will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday, March 29, from 7.50pm.
