Imogen Hollins

Last updated

Imogen Hollins
Doctors character
Imogen Hollins (character from Doctors).jpg
Portrayed by Charlie Clemmow
Duration2009–2012, 2014, 2019–2021, 2023
First appearance"Tears for Souvenirs"
4 August 2009 (2009-08-04)
Last appearance"Give Them What They Want"
9 May 2023 (2023-05-09)
Classification Former; recurring
Introduced byWill Trotter (2009, 2014)
Mike Hobson (2019, 2023)
In-universe information
OccupationArtist
Father Rob Hollins
Mother Karen Hollins
Brothers Jack Hollins
Other relatives

Imogen Hollins is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors , portrayed by Charlie Clemmow. Before her first appearance, Imogen is mentioned by her on-screen mother Karen (Jan Pearson); Clemmow watched the episode and wrote a letter to the BBC asking if they would be casting actresses for the role of Imogen. She made continued contact with the BBC and was eventually invited to audition for Imogen, and despite having no agent, she was cast in the role and made her first appearance on 4 August 2009. She is introduced as the daughter of Karen and Rob Hollins (Chris Walker) and the sister of Jack Hollins (Nicolas Woodman).

Contents

Since her arrival, Imogen has featured in storylines including forming a relationship with classmate Elise Stone (Hannah Steele), being bullied by Lauren Porter (Alexis Peterman), stealing and going to court, having a brief relationship with Sid Vere (Ashley Rice), having a breast cancer scare and doubting her career aspirations. Imogen initially departed Doctors on 24 September 2012 but returned in 2014 for a guest appearance. Numerous talks were held about Imogen returning to Doctors, and in 2019, Clemmow made another guest appearance as Imogen, with other guest appearances in June 2020, December 2021 and March 2023. For her role as Imogen, Clemmow has been nominated for awards at the RTS Midlands Awards, the British Soap Awards and the Inside Soap Awards.

Storylines

Imogen is introduced as a teenager that studies art at North Letherbridge Sixth Form College. Imogen's mother Karen is approached by Gerry Cutler (Steffan Rhodri), the father of Lewis (Alexander Vlahos), a friend of Imogen's brother Jack (Nicolas Woodman). He asks if Lewis can stay at the Hollins' house over the Easter holidays, to which she accepts. Unbeknownst to the Hollins family, Lewis has mental health issues. As the week continues, his problems become clear, but Lewis covers his tracks easily. After Karen sees a knife mark in her kitchen table, she knows it was done by Lewis. Imogen then realises that her art project has been tampered with by Lewis. Jack is called to a fake interview at the university, which is later revealed to be Lewis holding people hostage with a gun. Imogen's father Rob (Chris Walker) runs inside despite being warned not to and helps Karen to defeat Lewis. A day after the ordeal, the Hollins family burn all of Imogen's artwork.

At school, Imogen meets classmate Elise Stone (Hannah Steele). As soon as they meet, they form a close relationship and Elise confides in Imogen by telling her that she is a lesbian. Elise then kisses Imogen. That evening, Imogen informs her family that she too is a lesbian. Due to the amount of stress and pressure put on Imogen from Karen's abortion and her parents having marriage difficulties, Imogen begins to steal. Although it begins as small amounts, it soon increases Imogen is eventually caught. Imogen tells her family that she has not stolen anything and Rob believes her, going on to defend her. She confides in Jack, who tells her to continue lying. When it goes to court, she confesses to stealing. This angers Rob, who temporarily throws her out of the house.

Imogen is sentenced to community service. Due to her criminal record, Imogen finds it difficult to find a job. Karen manages to persuade Julia Parsons (Diane Keen) to give Imogen a part time job as a receptionist while Mrs Tembe (Lorna Laidlaw), the receptionist of the Mill Health Centre, is away on holiday. Imogen leaves but returns for the wedding of her parents. She later returns to Letherbridge, where she pursues a relationship with Sid Vere (Ashley Rice). At first, her parents disapprove of Imogen seeing Sid, but they later come round to their relationship. While having sex, Sid notices a lump on Imogen's breast and suggests getting it looked at. When she has a private consultation, the lump is revealed to be benign, leaving her relieved. Imogen moves to London to pursue her art career, making sporadic home visits. On one occasion, Imogen returns to Letherbridge and reveals to her parents that her art project has lost all funding and that her relationship has ended.

Development

Casting and appearance

Charlie Clemmow wrote to the BBC asking if they would be casting for the role of Imogen, and after making continued contact, she was cast in the role. Charlie Clemmow.png
Charlie Clemmow wrote to the BBC asking if they would be casting for the role of Imogen, and after making continued contact, she was cast in the role.

Actress Charlie Clemmow spent two years writing over 100 letters to production companies and casting calls; Clemmow did not want to be represented by an agent as she wanted to see if she could book a role through her own means. She was watching an episode of Doctors and noticed Karen Hollins (Jan Pearson) mentioning an off-screen teenage daughter. She wrote to the BBC to ask if her daughter would appear and if they were casting for her, and after two letters and three emails, Clemmow was called for an audition for the role of Imogen. Whilst attending the audition, Clemmow had bleached white blonde hair, which she felt made her stand out against other auditionees. However, as Imogen, she wears pink and blue hair extensions. Clemmow also noted that in real life, she does not wear makeup or bright clothes like her character does, nor does she have a Birmingham accent like Imogen. [1] Despite being 23 at the time of securing the role, Clemmow continued to apply for teenage roles due to looking young for her age, and explained: "in my career it's an advantage, as I have more experience than teenage actresses going for those roles." [1]

Early storylines and initial departure

In January 2010, Imogen was confirmed to play a key role in the storyline involving Lewis and his mental health. Clemmow said that her character acknowledges that something is wrong with Lewis but that nobody listens to her, which is "frustrating" for her. [1] She revealed that the filming for the storyline was done across 10 days at Aston University; she found the plot to be risky for a daytime programme such as Doctors, but hoped that it would work. After her experience with Lewis, Imogen feels that she cannot trust men, begins identifying as a lesbian and forms a relationship with classmate Elise. Clemmow enjoyed the arc with Elise but admitted that she was nervous for her first on-screen kiss to be with another woman. [1]

In August 2011, Imogen became the center of a bullying plot involving her and Lauren Porter (Alexis Peterman). Clemmow said that the bullying storyline is close to her heart due to being the victim of bullying at secondary school. She hoped that portraying a bullying victim in Doctors would inspire people in a similar position to Imogen to speak out about their experiences. [2] On 3 September 2012, it was confirmed that cast members Woodman and Clemmow would be departing. Clemmow's departure scenes aired on 24 September 2012. [3]

Returns

In June 2019, Clemmow made a return to Doctors and it was revealed that Imogen had formed a career as a full-time artist. [4] When asked by Allison Jones of Inside Soap what it was like to return, Clemmow said: "It's just been amazing, such a lovely experience. It's clichéd, but it is like going home. Like having a family, it's been wonderful, and I'm always delighted to be asked back. It’s great." [5] Clemmow revealed that there had often been talks to reintroduce Imogen to the soap and she was excited to portray her again due to her character having grown up since her early tenure. Clemmow felt that since Imogen had aged up, she had more layers for her to portray from an acting perspective. [5]

She's back from London pitching for an art festival that’s coming up, to be the creative producer. She doesn't want to do much fuss, just to do this pitch and see how she goes. That's how she gets tied into Ayesha's story. Then after summer break she returns again and things start to get a little bit more dramatic for her. She's been in London working in art galleries after doing an art degree at university. She's had jobs in galleries around London, and then in Shoreditch. But she finds it a little bit pretentious– she's lost her way a little bit, thinking these galleries are all for rich people. The art festival is what triggers that for her because it involves working in the community and she cares about reaching out to people who wouldn’t normally experience art.

— Clemmow on Imogen's return. [5]

Clemmow also revealed that she stays in contact with Pearson and Walker, her on-screen parents. [5] When asked if Imogen will stay in Doctors, she stated that Imogen is torn between pursuing a successful career and staying at home with her family and Sid. Clemmow explained that due to Imogen being ambitious and open-minded, she would likely leave but would be affected by leaving her parents and Sid. [5] In June 2020, Clemmow made a guest appearance in the COVID-19 special episode "Can You Hear Me?"; she filmed her scenes for the episode from home using her mobile phone. [6] In August 2021, Doctors cast member Sarah Moyle confirmed via Twitter that Clemmow was on set filming for the soap once again. [7] Her return scenes aired on 6 December 2021. [8] Then in March 2023, Clemmow was confirmed to be making another return. [9] This was later revealed to be for Karen's death, which Clemmow described as the most challenging storyline she had ever done. [10] After staying around to support Rob through his grief, she leaves after receiving a job offer in London which Rob pushes her to pursue. [11]

Reception

Clemmow was nominated in the Newcomer category at the RTS Midlands Awards. [12] Clemmow was also nominated for Sexiest Female at the British Soap Awards in 2010, [13] 2011 [14] and 2012. [15] Then in 2011, she was nominated for Best Daytime Star at the Inside Soap Awards. [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Doctors</i> (2000 TV series) British television soap opera

Doctors is a British medical soap opera, first broadcast on BBC One on 26 March 2000. Filmed in Birmingham and set in the fictional West Midlands town of Letherbridge, the soap follows the lives of the staff of both an NHS doctor's surgery and a university campus surgery, as well as the lives of their families and friends. Initially, only 41 episodes of the programme were ordered, but due to the positive reception, the BBC ordered it as a continuing soap opera. Doctors was filmed at the Pebble Mill Studios until 2004; production then relocated to the BBC Drama Village, where it will film until 2024. Episodes are filmed three months prior to transmission. The soap is typically broadcast on weekdays at 1:45 pm on BBC One, as well as having classic episodes broadcast on Drama. It takes three annual transmission breaks across the year: at Easter, during the summer and at Christmas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jan Pearson</span> English actress

Jan Pearson is an English actress. Pearson grew up in Wollaston, West Midlands, and began her career in various stage productions. She yearned to work in television and was soon cast as Kath Fox in the BBC medical drama Holby City in 1999, a role she stayed in until 2004. She then ventured back into theatre, before joining the BBC soap opera Doctors as Karen Hollins. For her role in Doctors, Pearson won the award for Best On-Screen Partnership twice alongside Chris Walker, at the 2010 and 2023 British Soap Awards. Pearson left Doctors in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zara Carmichael</span> Fictional character from Doctors

Dr. Zara Carmichael is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Elisabeth Dermot Walsh. Zara was introduced as a new general practitioner at the fictional Mill Health Centre on 4 June 2009 and remained a regular character until April 2012 when Walsh left to go on maternity leave. She returned for a brief appearance in December 2012, before returning full-time in February 2013. In September 2015, Walsh left again to go on maternity leave. She returned full-time from March 2016 onwards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karen Hollins</span> Fictional character from Doctors

Karen Hollins is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Jan Pearson. Introduced as a receptionist at the fictional Mill Health Centre, Karen was created by series producer Peter Eryl Lloyd as a replacement for former receptionist Vivien March. She first appeared during the episode broadcast on 23 February 2009. Writers eventually introduced a family for Karen; husband and police sergeant Rob, and their children, Imogen and Jack. Karen is depicted as a hardworking person who cares about her job and the patients at the surgery, but someone who prioritises her family above her work responsibilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Hollins</span> Fictional character from Doctors

Rob Hollins is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Chris Walker. Rob was introduced as a police sergeant at Letherbridge police station and made his first appearance during the episode broadcast 24 July 2009. Rob is the husband of Karen Hollins, a receptionist at the fictional Mill Health Centre, as well as the father of Imogen and Jack Hollins. Rob is depicted as a dependable family man and it has been noted that whenever another character needs advice, Rob would always be there to help. Rob's storyline in the programme have included disagreeing with Karen on aborting their baby, accidentally causing his wife's amnesia, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), becoming a foster parent, being accused of police brutality and the breakdown and reconciliation of his marriage. Rob's PTSD was explored over the duration of a year with the climax coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Week in 2018, with the storyline being revisited in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Hollins</span> Fictional character from Doctors

Jack Hollins is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Nicolas Woodman. Jack first appeared on 4 August 2009 and left Doctors on 21 September 2012. He returned for brief stints in 2013 and 2014. His storylines in the series have included his secret relationship with Zara Carmichael and completing a degree at university. Following the completion of his degree, it was confirmed by producer Peter Eryl Lloyd that the character would face numerous life decisions that ultimately resulted in his exit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Clemmow</span> English actress

Charlie Clemmow is an English actress. In 2009, Clemmow began portraying the role of Imogen Hollins in the BBC soap opera Doctors; she initially left the soap in 2012, later making a guest appearance in 2014. Clemmow had appeared in Doctors on a recurring basis since 2019. For her role as Imogen, she has received nominations at the RTS Midlands Awards, the British Soap Awards and the Inside Soap Awards. Away from Doctors, Clemmow has appeared in two films and voiced a character in a period drama podcast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valerie Pitman</span> Fictional character from Doctors

Valerie Pitman is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Sarah Moyle. Valerie was introduced as a temporary receptionist at the fictional Mill Health Centre on 15 October 2012. Valerie is depicted as a kind, nosy and humorous character who enjoys getting involved in other people's lives. Her backstory involves growing up as an only child with no friends who dresses differently to other people, so since she feels like an outsider, she is desperate to be part of a unit of loved ones. Moyle was originally contracted on the soap as a recurring character, but after a positive reaction from viewers, she was promoted to a regular cast member. One of the storylines that accredited to her popularity was an issue-led storyline that saw Valerie diagnosed with hodgkin lymphoma. Moyle felt honoured to be given the storyline and found it interesting to play the storyline from a comedic perspective.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayesha Lee</span> Fictional character from Doctors

Ayesha Lee is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Laura Rollins. Ayesha was introduced as a Practice Nurse at The Mill, and made her first appearance on 30 September 2014. Since her arrival in the series, Ayesha has faced storylines such as her relationship with Sid Vere, dealing with her mother's alcohol and drug addictions, and being drugged in a bar. In May 2020, Rollins confirmed her departure from the cast of Doctors, and her final scenes aired on 5 June 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sid Vere</span> Fictional character from Doctors

Dr. Sid Vere is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Ashley Rice. Sid made his first appearance on 27 April 2015 as an F2 doctor at the fictional Mill Health Centre. His storylines in the programme have included his relationships with colleagues Ayesha Lee and Zara Carmichael and discovering his brother, Laurence Richards. For his role as Sid, Rice has been nominated for various accolades including Newcomer at the 21st National Television Awards and the British Soap Award for Best Actor in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Can You Hear Me? (<i>Doctors</i>) 2020 episode of Doctors

"Can You Hear Me?" is an episode of the British television soap opera Doctors, broadcast on BBC One on 12 June 2020. It marks the first episode in soap opera history to be filmed solely using mobile devices, and was self-shot by cast members from their homes as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down production of Doctors. The episode centres around the colleagues of the fictional Mill Health Centre and St Phils hospital dealing with lockdown, and features appearances from relatives of the characters. The scenes take place after the colleagues have been to work, where they discuss the professional and personal impacts of the pandemic on their lives via video chat. The episode also covers regular character Ruhma Carter suffering from COVID-19.

If Wishes Were Horses (<i>Doctors</i>) 2023 episode of Doctors

"If Wishes Were Horses" is an episode of the British television soap opera Doctors, broadcast on BBC One on 30 March 2023. The episode covers the shock death of mainstay regular character Karen Hollins. Her death was not announced prior to the episode airing, nor was the exit of Pearson after fourteen years of appearing on Doctors. Charlie Clemmow reprised her role as Imogen Hollins for the episode with a voice appearance.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Laws, Roz. "My first screen kiss was with a girl; charlie clemmow the big interview". Birmingham Post & Mail . Retrieved 17 December 2021– via The Free Library.
  2. ↑ Daniels, Colin (28 August 2011). "'Doctors' star Charlie Clemmow: 'Bullying storyline is close to my heart'". Digital Spy . Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on 8 December 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  3. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (3 September 2012). "'Doctors': Three departures confirmed". Digital Spy . Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  4. ↑ "CHARLIE CLEMMOW returns to the role of Imogen Hollins in BBC series 'Doctors'". Oxford Adams Associates. 29 March 2019. Archived from the original on 22 June 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Jones, Allison (13 June 2019). "WEB EXCLUSIVE: Charlie Clemmow chats about Imogen's return to Doctors!". Inside Soap . Archived from the original on 21 June 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  6. ↑ "Ahead of the BBC Doctors lockdown episode on Friday, join Sarah Moyle (Valerie Pitman), Elisabeth Dermot Walsh (Zara Carmichael) & series producer Peter Lloyd LIVE on Facebook talking about the upcoming episode". Facebook . Archived from the original on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  7. ↑ Moyle, Sarah [@moylie69] (31 August 2021). "Forgot to do this CATEGORY WAS: CHARLIE!!! featuring the beautiful @charlieclemmow ❤️❤️❤️" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ↑ "A Little Less Conversation". Doctors. 9 December 2021. BBC. BBC One . Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  9. ↑ "If Wishes Were Horses". BBC . Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  10. ↑ Clemmow, Charlie [@charlieclemmow] (30 March 2023). "This is the beginning of the most challenging storyline I've ever done. Catch up here…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ↑ Timblick, Simon. "Doctors spoilers: Rob Hollins goes house hunting". What to Watch . (Future plc). Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  12. ↑ "2010 Award Nominations". Royal Television Society. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  13. ↑ "The British Soap Awards 2010 Winners Release". ITV. 10 May 2010. Archived from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  14. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel. "British Soap Awards 2011 voting opens". Digital Spy . Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  15. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (5 April 2012). "British Soap Awards 2012: Full viewer and panel shortlist revealed". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  16. ↑ Love, Ryan (11 July 2011). "In Full: Inside Soap Awards 2011 Nominees". Digital Spy . Hachette Filipacchi UK. Archived from the original on 16 August 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.