Vanessa Lytton

Last updated

Vanessa Lytton
Holby City character
Vanessa Lytton.jpg
Leslie Ash as Vanessa Lytton
First appearance"The Spirit Dancing"
13 October 2009
Last appearance"For the Greater Good"
6 April 2010
Created by Tony McHale
Portrayed by Leslie Ash
Spinoff(s) Casualty (2021)
In-universe information
Occupation Chief executive officer

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. [1] 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. [2] Vanessa was created by Holby City's executive producer Tony McHale as a replacement for former CEO Jayne Grayson (Stella Gonet). 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 .

Contents

Creation

Vanessa was created in 2009 by Holby City's executive producer Tony McHale, as a replacement for former CEO Jayne Grayson (Stella Gonet), who departed from the show during its eleventh series. [3] It was first announced on 18 May 2009 that actress Leslie Ash had been cast in the role, after a five-year break from acting due to complications arising from MSSA. [4] Ash commented that the role was the first she had had to audition for since the age of nineteen, and although nervous: "I am so pleased and happy they've given me this chance. They are very brave to have taken on a disabled actress. I can't wait to be back on set. It's the last piece of the jigsaw in my recovery. I'm finally back to where I was." [5] McHale commented: "We're thrilled to have Leslie join us at Holby. We know she's going to be a terrific asset to the show and her character will bring another dimension to our already strong cast. Her stories are going to have our viewers guessing all the way." [5] Her first scenes were filmed in June 2009, for broadcast in October 2009. [6] Asked how long she saw herself staying in Holby City, Ash replied: "At the moment I’m really happy, so as long as they want me! I want it to go well so I can stay on. Also, I know there are lots of women out there who love this show and I don’t want them to be disappointed. I want them to say, 'She looks great!'". [7]

Ash was not a regular viewer of Holby City prior to her casting, but stated: "I'm actually quite surprised by the powerful women in the show and proud to be one. The scripts are brilliant and it’s very fast moving. It's a joy going to work every morning." [7]

Ash sued Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust for £5 million in damages for loss of earnings after contracting MSSA, arguing that her resulting disability meant she would never win leading TV roles again. [8]

Considering her own experience, Ash felt that it was "ironic" to be playing a CEO, but commented that it made the role easier to play, as she had spent a lot of time on wards and dealing with hospital politics. [9] She noted an initial reluctance to enter the hospital set, [9] but found it helpful that she was already acquainted with co-stars Tina Hobley and Patsy Kensit Healy, as well as director Christopher King, who she worked with on ITV drama Where The Heart Is . [7]

Development

Vanessa is described by the BBC as "scheming", [6] "conniving and calculated". [5] Ash called the role a "meaty, hard part", explaining of her character: "She's not had to work her way to the top and people resent her for it. She's used her toughness all the way." [5] As part of the character's costume, she wears black, thick-rimmed glasses. Due to Ash's disability, Vanessa uses a walking stick. Ash commented: "Disability is misrepresented on television and it's really fantastic that it did not worry the production team I was disabled." [5] Of Vanessa's backstory, Ash explained: "She rose through the ranks from a nurse to become a CEO rather easily and we can only imagine that she’s done it by stepping over people along the way. But with a smile on her face." [9] With regards to Vanessa's nursing background and the difference it made to her position, Ash explained: "They’re all so used to CEOs being very bureaucratic. I think it’s quite a shock to find someone who knows the medical side of things. They can’t get away with things, because she understands what’s going on." [7]

Vanessa was introduced as an old friend of established character Michael Spence (Hari Dhillon), who helped her win the CEO position at Holby City Hospital in return for her helping him to deal with his rival Connie Beauchamp (Amanda Mealing). Ash commented: "Together I think her and Michael are going to whip the hospital up into a frenzy." [9] She denied that Vanessa and Michael would be romantically involved, instead characterising their relationship as a case of "If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours", explaining: "[Michael] gets his own way rather more easily with Vanessa around, and in return he helps her." [7] With regards to Vanessa's personal life, Ash divulged that she lives with a man who is unemployed, making Vanessa the main source of income in their relationship. [7]

In June 2021, over 11 years after her final appearance on Holby City, Ash confirmed in an interview with OK! that she would be reprising her role as Vanessa on Holby City's sister show Casualty . [10] Ash told the publication's Chloe Alexandrou that she was asked to return for one episode as a patient. She called it "a great little storyline". [10] She later stated: "I'm thrilled to be joining the Casualty team for this episode and stepping back into Vanessa Lytton's shoes. It's been a few years since she graced the wards of Holby City hospital and I'm excited for viewers to see what's in store for her." [11] Ash also said that she enjoyed working again, especially amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and being reunited with Derek Thompson (Charlie Fairhead), whom she acted alongside in The Gentle Touch . [10] Ash's return was announced shortly before the cancellation of Holby City was publicised. Lidia Molina-Whyte of the Radio Times thought that Vanessa may be one of many characters to cross shows. She confirmed that Ash would make her Casualty debut in summer 2021. [12]

Storylines

Vanessa arrives in Holby as the new chief executive officer of Holby City Hospital, replacing former CEO Jayne Grayson (Stella Gonet). She is recruited by Director of Surgery Michael Spence (Hari Dhillon), having previously worked with him when she was a nurse. Vanessa's first act as CEO is to approve funding for a robotics scheme run by cardiothoracic consultant Connie Beauchamp (Amanda Mealing). [1] Soon thereafter, she suspends Connie, general surgical consultant Ric Griffin (Hugh Quarshie) and ward sister Faye Byrne (Patsy Kensit Healy) over the death of Archie Morton (Conor Cremin), Faye's disabled son, unaware that the true culprit in his death is nurse Lauren Minster (Riann Steele). [13] Vanessa goes on to appoint former surgical registrar Thandie Abebe-Griffin (Ginny Holder) as a locum on the cardiothoracic ward, [14] causing tension with consultant Elliot Hope (Paul Bradley), who Thandie once accused of racial discrimination. [15]

Reception

Ash's first episode as Vanessa was watched by 5.73 million viewers. [16] It was selected as recommended viewing by the Daily Post and Daily Mirror , [17] [18] with The Mirror's Jane Simon commenting: "Ash looks terrific despite being lumbered with big owlish glasses just like the ones that Manda (Josie Lawrence) has to wear in EastEnders . This seems to be a new kind of wardrobe department shorthand for: 'You may remember me from shows that were popular in the 80s.'" [18] Asked whether he was happy with the reception she had received, Tony McHale told Inside Soap : "I am, but we knew that there would be the odd headline that would have a dig at certain things. Viewers seem to have taken to her, though, and enjoy what she's doing on the show. It was a good idea not to bring Leslie in as a goody two-shoes type, I think - Vanessa is a very complex character." [19] In November 2009, Antony Sumara, CEO of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Hospital Trust, wrote a column criticizing Holby City and its sister-show Casualty for misrepresenting real hospital life. [20] Anne Pickles of the News and Star commented on the piece: "Holby always was close in nature to a cheap airport paperback page-turner. But it has become even more so with the arrival of Leslie Ash, who actually has the same job as Antony Sumara – though it's doubtful he has her trout pout or stiff, barking old sergeant major demeanour." [21]

Related Research Articles

Leslie Ash is an English actress. She is best known for her roles in Quadrophenia (1979), ITV series C.A.T.S. Eyes (1985–1987), the BBC sitcom Men Behaving Badly (1992–1998), drama Where the Heart Is (2000–2003), and medical drama Holby City (2009–2010).

<i>Casualty</i> (TV series) British medical drama series

Casualty is a British medical drama series broadcast on BBC One. Created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin, it first aired in the United Kingdom on 6 September 1986. The show was originally produced by Geraint Morris and has been a staple of British television ever since. Casualty is recognised as the longest-running primetime medical drama series in the world.

<i>Holby City</i> British medical drama television series

Holby City is a British medical drama television series that aired weekly on BBC One. It was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999; the show ran until 29 March 2022. It follows the lives of medical and ancillary staff at the fictional Holby City Hospital, the same hospital as Casualty, 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. It began with eleven main characters in its first series, all of whom subsequently left the show. New main characters were then periodically written in and out, with a core of around fifteen main actors employed at any given time. In casting the first series, Young sought actors who were already well known in the television industry, something which has continued throughout its history, with cast members including Patsy Kensit, Jane Asher, Robert Powell, Ade Edmondson and John Michie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connie Beauchamp</span> Fictional character from the BBC medical dramas Casualty and Holby City

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.

<i>Casualty@Holby City</i> British television series

Casualty@Holby City (styled as CASUAL+Y @ HOLBY CI+Y) is a series of special crossover episodes of BBC medical dramas Casualty and Holby City. While Casualty was launched on 6 September 1986, and its spin-off Holby City was first aired on 12 January 1999, the first full crossover episode between the two programmes was not broadcast until 26 December 2004. As of 27 December 2005, four crossover specials have been aired, comprising nine episodes total. Although further crossovers of storylines and characters have since occurred, they have not been broadcast under the Casualty@Holby City title.

The first series of the British medical drama television series Holby City commenced airing in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 12 January 1999, and concluded on 9 March 1999. The show was created by Mal Young and Tony McHale as a spin–off from the BBC medical drama Casualty, intended to follow the treatment of patients from Casualty as they were transferred onto the hospital's surgical wards. McHale served as the programme's lead writer throughout the first series, which ran for nine episodes. Young cast actors who were already established names in the acting industry, particularly from a soap opera background. Several cast members shadowed real surgeons and nurses in preparation for their roles to increase the show's realism. The series received mixed reviews from critics. It was compared favourably with Casualty, but received negative reviews in which it was contrasted poorly with the American medical drama ER. The series première attracted 10.72 million viewers, falling to 8.51 million by the series finale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faye Morton</span> Fictional nurse in BBC TV medical drama

Faye Morton 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donna Jackson</span> Fictional character in Holby City

Donna Jackson is a fictional character from BBC medical dramas Holby City and Casualty, played by actress Jaye Jacobs. Donna entered Holby City in its sixth series as a staff nurse, characterised as a wild-child with a chaotic personal life. During her tenure, she grew to take her work more seriously, becoming a ward sister and accepting more personal responsibilities by adopting her half-niece Mia. A tart with a heart character, Donna had many romantic liaisons with her colleagues, including a one-night stand with midwife Mickie Hendrie. She ultimately fell in love with agency nurse Kieran Callaghan, and departed to be with him after he was injured in Afghanistan as part of the Territorial Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maddy Young</span> Fictional character in medical drama Holby City

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jayne Grayson</span> Fictional executive officer in BBC TV medical drama Holby City

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.

Michael Spence (<i>Holby City</i>) Fictional character

Michael Spence is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actor Hari Dhillon. The character first appeared on 20 November 2007, in the episode "Unfinished Symphony" - episode six of the show's tenth series. Dhillon had previously appeared in the show on a recurring basis in a more minor role, as Dr. Sunil Gupta, between 2001 and 2003. Dhillon took an extended break from the series in 2013 and Michael departs in the episode first broadcast on 17 December 2013. He returned for a month-long stint in 2014 and also appeared in an episode of sister show Casualty. In 2022, Dhillon returned for an episode as part of the show's final series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linden Cullen</span> Fictional character from Holby City

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.

Casualty is a British medical drama television series that premiered on 6 September 1986 on BBC1. The series was created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin. It is set in the fictional Holby City Hospital, in the equally fictitious city of Holby, and features occasional crossovers of characters and plots with spin-off show Holby City. Casualty follows the professional and personal lives of the doctors, nurses, paramedics, hospital management and patients at Holby General. It features an ensemble cast of regular characters, and began with ten main characters in its first series, including the longest-serving character Charlie Fairhead. They have all since left the series. Many main characters have been written in and out of the series since. In addition, Casualty features guest stars each week, as well as recurring guests that take part in story arcs that span a portion of a series or multiple series.

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.

Characters of <i>Holby City</i>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henrik Hanssen</span> Fictional character

Henrik Hanssen is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, played by actor Guy Henry. He made his first appearance in the thirteenth series episode "Shifts", broadcast on 19 October 2010. Hanssen is initially a consultant general surgeon and the joint Director of Surgery of Holby City Hospital. He later becomes the sole Director of Surgery and the chief executive officer of the hospital trust. Henry has also appeared in Holby City's sister show, Casualty, as Hanssen on multiple occasions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guy Self</span> Fictional character

Guy Self is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City played by John Michie. He first appeared in the sixteenth series episode "Sink or Swim", broadcast on 26 November 2013. Guy is a consultant neurosurgeon and Holby City Hospital's chief executive officer (CEO) until he resigns from his CEO position. The character also appeared in Holby City's sister show, Casualty. Guy departed in the nineteenth series episode "Song of Self – Part Two", but returned for a nine episode guest stint later in the series. Michie has since reprised the role on three occasions: for one episode in 2018, ten episodes in 2020, and one episode in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lily Chao</span> Fictional character from the BBC medical drama Casualty

Lily Chao is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Casualty, played by actress Crystal Yu. She first appeared in the series twenty-eight episode "Bedside Manners", broadcast on 3 August 2013. Lily arrives at Holby City hospital to resume her second year of the Foundation Programme. Yu had previously appeared in the show as a separate guest character. She also decided to learn certain medical procedures to make her character believable. Lily is characterised as an ambitious junior doctor and intelligent high-achiever. Lily is good at her job but lacks any "bedside manner" and her no-nonsense attitude causes problems with colleagues and patients alike. The character was originally working towards a career in dermatology but becomes accustomed to the variety of work the Holby City's Emergency Department has to offer.

References

  1. 1 2 Rob Evans (director), Chris Murray (writer) (13 October 2009). "The Spirit Dancing". Holby City. Season 11. Episode 52. BBC. BBC One.
  2. ↑ "Holby City - Characters & Cast". BBC Online . Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  3. ↑ Methven, Nicola (27 July 2009). "Down the drain: Holby City's Stella Gonet makes way for Leslie Ash". Daily Mirror . Trinity Mirror . Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  4. ↑ Nissim, Mayer (18 May 2009). "Leslie Ash cast in 'Holby City'". Digital Spy . Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Leslie Ash to star in BBC One's Holby City". BBC Press Office, BBC Online. 18 May 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  6. 1 2 "Leslie Ash joins Holby City cast". BBC News. 18 May 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hamilton, Marie-Anne (6 October 2009). "Leslie Ash, Holby City". TV Choice. IPC Media . Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  8. ↑ Methven, Nicola (18 May 2009). "Leslie Ash to make TV return in Holby City". Daily Mirror . Trinity Mirror . Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Vanessa stirs up trouble in Holby". What's on TV . IPC Media. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  10. 1 2 3 Alexandrou, Chloe (1 June 2021). "Leslie Ash to return as Vanessa Lytton in Casualty after 11 years off-screen". OK! . Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  11. ↑ Loveday, Hannah (1 June 2021). "Holby City's Leslie Ash announces she's reprising role on Casualty after 11 years away". Digital Spy . Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  12. ↑ Molina-Whyte, Lidia (2 June 2021). "Exclusive – Casualty will continue on BBC after Holby City's cancellation". Radio Times . Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  13. ↑ Christopher King (director), Tony McHale (writer) (21 October 2009). "The Hands That Rock The Cradle: Part II". Holby City. Season 12. Episode 2. BBC. BBC One.
  14. ↑ Daikin Marsh (director), Martha Hillier (writer) (3 November 2009). "The Professionals". Holby City. Season 12. Episode 4. BBC. BBC One.
  15. ↑ Daikin Marsh (director), Dana Fainaru (writer) (10 November 2009). "Home Truths". Holby City. Season 12. Episode 5. BBC. BBC One.
  16. ↑ "Weekly Top 30 Programmes: Week Ending 18 Oct 2009". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  17. ↑ "What to Watch". Daily Post . Trinity Mirror. 10 October 2009. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  18. 1 2 Simon, Jane (13 October 2009). "Holby City - BBC1, 8pm". Daily Mirror . Trinity Mirror . Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  19. ↑ "Inside Soap meets the producers", Inside Soap , Hachette Filipacchi Médias, 17 November 2009
  20. ↑ Sumara, Antony (18 November 2009). "TV dramas 'misrepresent the NHS'". BBC Online . Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  21. ↑ Pickles, Anne (21 November 2009). "Truth Not as Exciting as Fiction". News and Star . CN Group . Retrieved 23 November 2009.
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