DIGITAL SPY - NOVEMBER.05
Holby is also gaining two new faces in the form of registrars. Tom Chambers and Luke Roberts are to turn heads on the wards as cardio-thoracic registrars Sam and Joseph - respectively.
Of his new role, Tom said: “One of my non-acting jobs was as an HGV driver delivering plastic crates to hospitals - now I actually get to work in one... kind of! As an unemployed actor I was used to about 20 days acting work a year, now it's 20 days holiday a year! It's a full-on job with medical advisors and surgeons on set 24/7 – unbelievable, but amazing work.
“I have family and friends who are doctors and consultants and have always fantasized about being a part of it. Now I get to do it, kind of, it's given me full admiration for anyone who works in that profession.'
He went on: “I thought I was resilient to blood and gore until I saw an open-heart operation for real during the Holby training period. I was just about passing out in under 10 seconds - I can't believe what surgeons have to do and they're so matter-of-fact about it.
“As an actor you worry about the first day on set at Holby that you're entering territory you have very little knowledge about and I couldn't have been more relieved when immediately I realised that they are like one big family -everyone chips in and they all want it to be the best, they even have permanent real nurse advisors and surgeons to help so no detail goes unnoticed. I slept so much better after that. When I saw Rosie Marcel turning up in a scene in bike leathers I realised I was in the right job!'
Luke, meanwhile, commented: “I was lucky to join Holby City as part of a wave of new people and at the same time as Tom Chambers and Rosie Marcel. We have a real feeling of solidarity between us now. It’s a terrific cast to work with and it has been so easy to come in as a new member of it.
“The first day of rehearsals on set in front of the producers and everybody felt like a real test and was my first hurdle, but it was good. Tom and I were really nervous, but thankfully everyone treated us with kid gloves and made for a very nice start in a calm atmosphere.'
He continued: “If you say the medical terms with confidence then it seems to work and sound convincing! At first I tried to look up all the medical terms I was using, but I gave up on that after a while and turned to the advisors on set to help me instead!
“Joseph is stuck in his ways and is incredibly meticulous which manifests itself in interesting ways in the future. He is awkward and very bookish and there’s real scope in the character which makes him fun to play. He has a tougher time relating to his colleagues than his counterpart, happy-go-lucky Sam, which allows for a bit of comedy as Sam is the antithesis of Joe.'
Luke added: “In some ways I’m like Joe as I’m a bit of a perfectionist, but he takes it to extreme lengths. I do admire Joe’s honesty and punctuality, but I don't share the latter trait!'