Faye Byrne | |
---|---|
Holby City character | |
![]() Patsy Kensit as Faye Morton in 2007 | |
First appearance | "Into the Dark" 30 January 2007 |
Last appearance | "The Perfect Storm" 3 September 2019 |
Created by | Tony McHale |
Portrayed by | Patsy Kensit |
In-universe information | |
Occupation | Ward sister (prev. Staff nurse) |
Family | David Morton (father) Lindsey Morton (mother) Carl Hewson (stepson) |
Spouse | Lucas Michaels Donald Hewson [1] James Wilson Joseph Byrne |
Significant others | Sam Strachan Linden Cullen |
Children | Archie Morton Harry Byrne |
Faye Morton (also Michaels, Hewson, Wilson and Byrne) is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City , portrayed by actress Patsy Kensit. The character first appeared on-screen on 30 January 2007 in the series nine episode "Into the Dark". Kensit had made a former unrelated guest appearance on Holby City's sister show, Casualty , in 2001.
Faye is a Ward Sister at Holby General, with a mysterious past including two dead husbands and a disabled son. Her storylines have seen her marry registrar Joseph Byrne (Luke Roberts), and develop feelings for consultant Linden Cullen (Duncan Pow) following the death of her son. Her introductory storyline, shot on location in Dubai, in which she kills her third husband and leaves for Holby, proved so popular that Kensit was shortlisted "Best Actress" in the 2007 TV Quick and TV Choice Awards for her portrayal of the character within three months of arriving on the show. [2] However, the dramaticism of the character's storylines and the manner in which they reflect upon real NHS nurses has attracted criticism. [3] Kensit left the show in the series thirteen episode "Snow Queens", broadcast on 28 December 2010. In 2019, Kensit agreed to reprise the role as part of the show's twentieth anniversary celebrations.
Early publicity for the character gave her name as Eliza Clark. [4] This was ultimately changed to Faye Morton, and although Faye did not first appear on-screen until January 2007, the announcement that Patsy Kensit had been cast in the role was made on 14 December 2005. [5] Holby City's executive producer Richard Stokes and series producer Emma Turner spoke of their delight at Kensit's casting, describing her as "a talented and popular actress who lights up the screen." [6] Kensit took the role in Holby City after two years of working on the ITV soap opera Emmerdale , commenting that she was "thrilled" to be offered the part, and was looking forward to working in London. [6] Having formerly worked in Yorkshire to film Emmerdale, working in London reduced the actress' daily commute to 45 minutes. [7] Television critic Jim Shelley noted that Kensit's casting in the role followed a trend of Holby City producers for hiring established actors, including comedian Adrian Edmondson and Jesus of Nazareth star Robert Powell. [8]
In preparation for the role, Kensit spent three days shadowing a real nurse, [9] and observed open heart surgery being performed as research. She commented on the experience: "I wanted to throw up. First of all I stood in the corner but in the end I couldn't get close enough ... nurses are incredible women. They're doing this job for next to nothing and do it with such love and care... I couldn't do it, I'd get too emotionally involved, I don't think I could cope." [10] In 2001, Kensit had made a guest appearance in series 16 of Holby City's sister show Casualty , appearing as a domestic abuse victim and giving what TV critic Ian Hyland deemed "a convincing performance". [11] Prior to her move into television roles, Kensit had predominantly worked in films, but explained upon joining the cast of Holby City: "Making films isn't for me any more because I'm an old girl in that world ... I've been very lucky, this is something I grew up doing, in television there's so much satisfaction ... I'll stay as long as they want me, I feel like I've come back home." [10]
Initial publicity for the character billed her as "a nurse who has more than a few secrets to hide and an attitude that cannot fail to ruffle the feathers of her colleagues." [12] The Daily Express have described her as "Gregarious...likes a gossip, but she's emotionally vulnerable", [13] while Holby City actress Tina Hobley has compared Faye to her own character, Chrissie Williams, explaining that "Faye is a quieter character all round who will do anything for an easy life, whereas Chrissie likes to stir up a bit of drama. I think she sees Faye as a goody two shoes." [13]
In the flashback episode "What Lies Beneath", exploring Faye's decision to move to Holby, she is seen to fight with her husband James, then later step over his dead body on the stairs. Shortly after arriving in Holby, the character began a relationship with cardiothoracic registrar Sam Strachan (Tom Chambers). The situation soon escalated into a love triangle, with Sam reigniting his former relationship with Faye's colleague, Matron Chrissie Williams. Kensit said of the relationship in August 2007, as the storyline was ongoing: "For Faye, Sam is not Mr Right, simply Mr Right Now. But Faye is not as sweet as she looks - there's a streak of toughness there... It's all going to get very messy!" [14] Upon discovering Sam's infidelity, the character terminated their relationship, and became involved with his colleague Joseph Byrne. [15]
In terms of friendships, Faye is close to Ward Sister Kyla Tyson (Rakie Ayola). [16] Though the BBC describe Faye and Chrissie as rivals, [15] Hobley has commented: "I'd like there to be more development with Chrissie and Faye's relationship as they've only really had Sam as a common interest up until now. I just hope its friendship that develops, because I can't bear all that bitchy cat-fighting stuff." [13]
In 2019, Kensit and Roberts agreed to reprise their roles as Faye and Joseph as part of the show's twentieth anniversary celebrations. [17] The production team created a special episode focused on the characters of Faye, Joseph and Jac. Kensit was honoured to be asked to return and thought that the return episode was "gripping" television. She added that "Faye has changed quite a lot, it’s very feisty and there are lots of surprises! It’s also really exciting to be working with Rosie and Luke again." [17]
Holby City's executive producer Simon Harper said that Faye and Joseph were "two huge, iconic characters" and their return would be a "nostalgic and exciting treat for long-term viewers." [17] Harper described the "unique episode" as centric to the "classic Darwin trio with all their past tensions and rivalries bubbling to the surface." [17] He added that Faye and Jac's infamous feud would be reignited as Jac feels insulted that Joseph returns with her "sworn enemy" Faye. Harper concluded that with "acerbic one-liners flying thicker than a blizzard, it's quintessential Holby City." [17]
Faye arrives at Holby General in the episode "Into the Dark", requesting that registrars Joseph Byrne and Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel) help her gain employment as a Bank Nurse. During her first few months at the hospital, Faye remains close to Joseph, but does not get on well with Jac, who she speaks to sternly about her close relationship with Joseph's father, Lord Byrne (Ronald Pickup). In the episode "What Lies Beneath", flashbacks show the trio's first meeting in Dubai. Faye's husband James reveals to her that he has lost her life savings. The pair fight, and James ends up dead at the bottom of their stairs. Faye leaves him, and returns to England with Joseph and Jac. [18] Faye is questioned by the police about James' death but is not charged.
Faye begins a friendship with Ward Sister Kyla Tyson, and supports her through her domestic abuse ordeal at the hands of her husband, his subsequent death, and the loss of her son to foster care. [19] She resists the advances of hospital lothario Sam Strachan, and impresses general surgical consultant Dan Clifford (Peter Wingfield) with her approach to patient care - leading to an on the spot promotion after a clash with Thandie Abebe (Ginny Holder) in the episode "Leap of Faith". [20]
Faye begins dating Sam, unaware that he is cheating on her with Ward Sister Chrissie Williams. She ends their relationship when she discovers his infidelity and turns her attention to Joseph, who had tried to warn her about Sam's indiscretion. She supports Joseph when he is tormented by Jac about the relationship she had had with his father prior to his death. When STI clinician Tim attacks staff members with a crossbow, Faye is shot in the back, but makes a full recovery. She reveals to Joseph that she was formerly married to a much older man named Donald, who left her a substantial amount of money after his death from cancer. She is investigated by the police, who find it suspicious that she has been twice widowed. Her stepson, Carl Hewson, blackmails her for money, but is later attacked by loan sharks and dies in theatre.
Following a fight with Joseph, Faye disappears to South Africa. Joseph and consultant Linden Cullen travel there to find her, and discover that Faye has a young son, Archie, who has Lowe syndrome. He has been kidnapped by his father, Faye's first husband Lucas, and Joseph is forced to operate on him to save his life. Faye and Joseph go on to become engaged, and marry at his family home. Archie is later admitted to hospital when he accidentally swallows a whistle and he undergoes an operation to remove it and he is seemingly recovering in ICU however when nurse Lauren Minster mistakingly administers him the wrong drug Potassium, he dies. Faye is arrested for his murder when post-mortem results prove inconclusive, and is suspended from work. She is acquitted when Lauren confesses, and fights with the nurse, who attempts suicide. Faye is able to make her peace with Lauren, but is unable to fully forgive her. In the aftermath of Archie's death, Faye and Joseph grow apart, and she develops romantic feelings for Linden.
Faye and Joseph separate, and she and Linden begin a relationship. Faye discovers that she is pregnant with Joseph's baby, but Linden promises to support her and they become briefly engaged. Increasingly concerned that Faye may be a pathological liar, Linden terminates their engagement. Faye is later attacked by a heroin-addicted patient, and when Linden attempts to defend her, he is hit in the head with a glass bottle and dies. Faye suffers a breakdown in the aftermath of Linden's death, and is admitted to a psychiatric unit. She self-harms, and refuses to leave the unit when she goes into labour, until Jac assures her that Joseph does not intend to take their child away from her. Faye delivers a boy by Caesarean. She initially fails to bond with him, but when Joseph puts their divorce proceedings on hold, she makes an effort and names him Harry, after Joseph's deceased younger brother. Despite Joseph's opposition, she insists on returning to the psychiatric unit.
Faye left her job on 28 December 2010 and went to live in France, leaving her son, Harry, in the care of Joseph. She returned on 3 September 2019 (series 21, episode 36, "The Perfect Storm"), as a heart transplant patient.
Within four months of first appearing in Holby City, Kensit was nominated for the "Best Actress" award at the 2007 TV Quick and TV Choice Awards for her portrayal of Faye. [2] The character's introductory episode, "Into the Dark" drew a high of 7 million viewers, [21] while "What Lies Beneath", the flashback episode in which the character was seen to kill her husband in Dubai drew ratings of 6.32 million. [22] The character's introduction to the series was highly publicised in the media, including a front cover and inside spread featuring Kensit discussing her new role in the week's edition of the Radio Times . [9] The Liverpool Echo selected the character's introductory episode as a televisual 'Pick of the Day', [23] The Mirror 's TV critic Jim Shelley selected her arrival as a highlight of the week, [24] and Kevin O'Sullivan of the Sunday Mirror described her debut as "sensational". [25]
Faye has continued to generate high publicity for the series, with the 11 August 2007 edition of Total TV Guide featuring Kensit, Hobley and Chambers on its front cover, appearing in character to promote their love triangle storyline, [14] and the 1 September 2007 Daily Express television supplement again featuring Kensit and Hobley on its cover, with an inside feature on the same storyline. [13] It was reported on 19 August 2007 that Kensit's casting had "boosted the series' appeal" to such an extent that for the first time, a Holby City calendar had been commissioned. The report quoted a series insider as stating: "Patsy has really set the show off this year, and what better way to thank the dedicated fans?". [26]
The character was heavily criticised in the July 2007 edition of the Nursing and Midwifery Council magazine. The publication discussed the topic of nurses in popular culture, and the negative impression of the nursing profession conveyed by fictional nurses. With a promotional image of Kensit as Faye adorning the front cover, the magazine asserted:
The "did she, didn't she", story of the Dubai murder of Faye Morton's partner in Holby City recently demonstrates the ease with which writers can attach terrible storylines to a caring profession. Nurses who become prostitutes to pay the bills, nurses who kill their husbands, nurses who abuse the system to get their own way - Holby City has always been a hotbed of slanderous storylines. Good people doing bad things makes excellent entertainment... The bald fact is that real life nurses doing their jobs well just aren't that entertaining. [3]
This criticism was echoed by Shelley, who, commenting on an interview Kensit had given to publicise the show and her role with Jonathan Ross, suggested that "reality" was not a term that could be applied to Holby City's portrayal of nursing. [27]
In July 2009, Conservative Party strategists identified "Holby City woman" as a key voter demographic who may help the party win the 2010 General Election. The "Holby City woman" archetype is modelled on Faye, [28] a female voter in her 30s or 40s, employed in a clinical or clerical position or some other public sector job. [29] She is a swing voter in General Elections, [28] who has voted for the Labour Party in previous elections, though her identification with the Labour Party is not strong. [30] Jonathan Oliver for The Times noted that "Faye Morton, the Holby City staff nurse played by Patsy Kensit is just the sort of person that Cameron might now hope to recruit". [31]
Connie Beauchamp is a fictional character from the BBC medical dramas Holby City and Casualty, portrayed by actress Amanda Mealing. She first appeared in the series six, episode 35, "In at the Deep End", broadcast on 1 June 2004, and appeared in Holby City's sister show Casualty multiple times, having already appeared in crossover Casualty@Holby City episodes. Mealing continued her role as Connie until the thirteenth series of Holby City, departing in the 28 December 2010 episode "Snow Queens". Connie's role in Holby City was that of Clinical Lead of Cardiothoracic Surgery in Darwin, and Joint Director of Surgery.
Kyla Tyson is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actress Rakie Ayola. She appeared from 7 February 2006 to 9 December 2008, from the series eight episode "I'll Be Back" to the series eleven episode "Sweet Bitter Love". Ayola had made a former minor appearance in the show several years prior to being cast as Kyla, and was later asked to return in a more permanent role. She departed from the show after becoming pregnant with her second child.
Jac Naylor is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by Rosie Marcel. She made her first screen appearance during the series eight episode "Bird on a Wire", which was originally broadcast on 22 November 2005. The character is introduced alongside Luke Roberts and Tom Chambers as Joseph Byrne and Sam Strachan, respectively. Jac is characterised as a highly ambitious, forthright surgeon who is career-oriented. Her backstory states that her mother placed her in foster care aged twelve.
Joseph Byrne is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by Luke Roberts. Joseph first appeared in the series eight episode "Mother Love", broadcast on 3 January 2006. Roberts had made an unrelated guest appearance in the previous series of the show, playing the relative of a deceased patient, and was asked to return in a more permanent role by the series producers.
Mark Williams is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actor Robert Powell. The character first appeared in the series seven episode "Stick or Twist", broadcast on 15 February 2005. Mark was created as a new addition to the show's existing Williams family, entering as the ex-husband and father of established characters Tricia Williams and Chrissie Williams respectively. Powell stated that he was looking forward to the opportunity to develop the character over a longer period of time than with the briefer acting roles he was more used to taking.
Samuel Noel "Sam" Strachan is a fictional character in the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actor Tom Chambers. The character first appeared on-screen on 3 January 2006, in episode "Mother Love" - series 8, episode 12 of the programme. Chambers was cast in the role after sending a video of himself performing a Fred Astaire dance routine to over 800 television producers, and piquing the interest of BBC Casting Director Julie Harkin. Although he originally auditioned for only a minor role in the show, he was later asked back to audition for the newly created role of major character Sam Strachan.
Madeleine "Maddy" Young is a fictional character in the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actress Nadine Lewington. The character first appeared on-screen on 16 January 2007 in episode "Face Value" - series 9, episode 15 of the programme. Her final appearance in the show was in the Series 11 episode "Just A Perfect Day" when her character was fatally stabbed. Her role in the show was that of a Senior House Officer undergoing her general surgical rotation in Holby's acute admissions unit. Described by the BBC as "enthusiastic [...] fun" and "dedicated to her job", Maddy was created alongside fellow new character General Surgical Consultant Dan Clifford. Her major storylines have centred on their friendship and relationship as well as her troubled family background and her continual rule breaking.
Jayne Grayson is a fictional character in the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actress Stella Gonet. The character first appeared on-screen on 10 July 2007 in episode "Under the Radar" – series 9, episode 39 of the programme. Her role in the show was that of chief executive officer of the Holby City Hospital Primary Care Trust, making her the only regular character who is not a medic by profession. Gonet formerly appeared as a doctor in Holby City's sister show Casualty, and has since appeared in crossover episodes of the drama, this time as Jayne Grayson. Her storylines in Holby City have revolved around issues of hospital bureaucracy, as well as her husband's affair with her colleague Connie Beauchamp. A two-part episode which saw Jayne fight the hospital's board of directors and the British government over the separation surgery of the conjoined twin daughters of illegal Korean immigrants proved a critical success, and was positively received by many tabloid TV critics.
Linden Cullen is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actor Duncan Pow. He made his first appearance in the series ten episode "Stolen", broadcast on 15 January 2008. The character was the head of Holby City Hospital's surgical admissions ward. He was killed off at the end of the twelfth series on 12 October 2010.
Anne-Marie, Lady Byrne is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actress Jane Asher. The character first appeared on 10 May 2007 in episode "After the Fall" - series 9, episode 30 of the programme. After several guest appearances as the mother of established character Joseph Byrne throughout series 9 and 10, Asher signed a three-month contract to become a series regular from May 2008 onwards, for a period of 10 episodes. Her initial storyline saw her son's girlfriend, Jac Naylor, embark on an affair with Anne-Marie's husband and Joseph's father, Lord Byrne - eventually culminating in his death, and leaving the character a widow. Upon her return to the programme, she takes over Lord Byrne's position as Executive Chairman of the Byrne Foundation – a charity committed to research into Cardiac Valve Disease.
Daisha Anderson is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, played by actress Rebecca Grant. She first appeared in the series ten episode "Twelve Hour Nightmare", broadcast on 18 March 2008. Grant received the role after the show's producer watched her in a professional play and was impressed by her performance. The character is originally from the Philippines and has strong Filipino values. She is characterised as having a strong moral code and maintaining a forthright, assertive and straight-talking attitude. Daisha progresses from her role as staff nurse to ward sister and also becomes an ambassador for The Byrne Foundation. One of the characters first stories saw her dealing with an unwanted pregnancy. Having no home or money, Daisha feels unable to support a child. She tries to abort the baby with painkillers but is unsuccessful, gives birth in a lift and later gives up her child.
The twelfth series of the British medical drama television series Holby City commenced airing in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 20 October 2009. The series deals with the repercussions of the death of ward sister Faye Byrne's son Archie, including the resignation of consultant Connie Beauchamp and the return of former registrar Thandie Abebe-Griffin. It also focuses on staff members' romantic and family lives. F1 Oliver Valentine becomes romantically involved with registrar Jac Naylor and ward sister Daisha Anderson, and his sister Penny embarks on a secret romance with a heart transplant patient. Consultant Linden Cullen is reunited with his estranged daughter Holly, nurse Donna Jackson decides to adopt her half-niece Mia, sister Chrissie Williams gives birth to a son, Daniel, and Faye becomes pregnant by her estranged husband Joseph. The series includes a crossover episode with sister show Casualty and it also has the highest number of episodes to date, as the series contains a small number of episodes which air during the same week.
Vanessa Lytton is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actress Leslie Ash. The character first appeared on-screen on 13 October 2009 in the episode "The Spirit Dancing" - series eleven, episode fifty-two of the programme. Her role in the show is that of chief executive officer of the Holby City Hospital Primary Care Trust, making her the only regular character who is not a medic by profession. Vanessa was created by Holby City's executive producer Tony McHale as a replacement for former CEO Jayne Grayson. Ash was cast in the role after a five-year break from acting, due to complications arising from MSSA. As Ash is disabled, Vanessa walks with the aid of a walking stick. Ash has praised Holby City producers for their willingness to cast a disabled actress, though faced some media criticism for accepting the role, as she had previously received £5 million compensation for loss of earnings from the hospital at which she contracted MSSA. Vanessa is a "scheming", "conniving and calculated" executive, whose storylines have seen her clash with several members of the hospital's senior staff. In June 2021, it was announced that Ash would be reprising her role in Holby City's sister show Casualty.
Holby City is a British medical drama television series that premiered on 12 January 1999 on BBC One. The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty. It is set in the same hospital as Casualty, Holby General, in the fictional city of Holby, and features occasional crossovers of characters and plots with both Casualty and the show's 2007 police procedural spin-off HolbyBlue.
The thirteenth series of the British medical drama television series Holby City began airing in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 October 2010, and ran for 52 episodes, concluding on 11 October 2011.
Dan Hamilton is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, played by actor Adam Astill. He first appeared in the series thirteen episode "Blue Valentine", broadcast on 15 February 2011. Dan is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, who works in the general surgery ward, Keller. He was created in 2010 and Astill successfully auditioned for the role three months prior to beginning filming in November. Dan has been characterised through his boyish and impulsive nature. He portrayed as a wannabe "ladies' man". New to his role as a consultant, Dan plays up to the stereotype associated with public schooled orthopaedic surgeons. His storylines have developed through a relationship with ward sister Chrissie Williams and a rivalry with registrar Antoine Malick, whom he later kisses. The latter has attracted a mixed reaction from critics of the series, who felt it was a repetition of gay story-lines featuring in other serial dramas. In May 2012, it was announced that Astill had decided to leave the series.
Oliver "Ollie" Valentine is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, played by actor James Anderson. He first appeared in the eleventh series episode "Proceed With Caution", broadcast on 9 June 2009. Oliver was introduced alongside his older sister, Penny, as a Foundation House Officer 1 (F1) on rotation at Holby City Hospital. Series producer Diana Kyle intended their inclusion to have an "instant impact on the wards." Anderson was selected to play Oliver; he spent time with a real F1 doctor and trained with the programme's medical advisors to prepare for the part. It took him around six months to ease into the role, and a further six to feel comfortable in it.
Diane Lloyd is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, played by actress Patricia Potter. She first appeared in the series four episode "High Risk", broadcast on 2 July 2002. Diane arrives at the hospital to work as a surgical registrar. She is characterised as an "ambitious" female determined to succeed in a "male-dominated world". She is portrayed as unlucky-in-love and has numerous failed relationships during her time on the show.
Stuart McElroy is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, played by actor Conor Mullen. He first appeared in the series ten episode "The Apprentice", broadcast on 6 November 2007. Producers approached Mullen with the offer to play Stuart. The character arrives at Holby City hospital as a locum cardiothoracic consultant to look after the Darwin ward in the absence of Connie Beauchamp. He soon begins a feud with registrar Sam Strachan and a romance with ward sister Chrissie Williams. Stuart is characterised as a charming surgeon but one who has a possessive side. He is an alcoholic whose wife Amelia left him prior to his arrival. His jealousy becomes an issue when he tries to control Chrissie and she ends their relationship. He begins drinking more heavily resulting in him holding Chrissie hostage and slashing her across the face with a scalpel. Stuart made his final appearance in series ten, episode 18, "The Extra Mile".
Ed Keating is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, played by actor Rocky Marshall. He first appeared in the series four episode "New Hearts, Old Scores", broadcast on 13 August 2002. Ed arrives at Holby City hospital to work as a cardiothoracic registrar. Ed is characterised as an ambitious "working class" man who learns how to survive hospital politics. He is "extremely loyal" but his aggressive tempter sometimes leads him into trouble. Producers introduced him alongside Tom Campbell-Gore and Ed becomes his protégé. Writers concocted various surgical dilemmas involving organ transplants, which the duo solve in unorthodox ways. Their continued rule breaking sets them both on a journey to disgrace. They forge test results, lie to patients, carry out organ transplants without any consent and Ed lets Tom operate under the influence of alcohol.