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Holby City
reviewed by Jenny
What is it?
It is probably a safe bet that the majority of you first discovered Tom through watching Holby City, but for the select few who haven't seen it, Holby is one of the BBC's prime-time medical dramas. A spin-off from the longer running Casualty, Holby was started in 1999 to show some of the action in wards other than the emergency department. Over the years, the wards that were concentrated on have changed a few times; we've seen Paedeatrics, Obstetrics and General Surgery, amongst others. Darwin Ward however, the cardiothoracic area, has been featured from the start, and this is where we find Tom's character.Who does Tom play?
Tom entered in Jan 06, playing Cardiothoracic Registrar Sam Strachan. Sam is a good surgeon, medically he can't really be faulted, and doesn't he know it! He's confident, verging on cocky and whilst this is a good thing most of the time, it seems to get him into trouble time and time again. Sam seems to find the hospital policies and politics below him; he's an idealist and places saving lives as his top priority, regardless of how many rules he has to bend (or shatter) to do so. This makes him popular with the patients, but less so with Connie Beauchamp, the Consultant who tries to keep him under control. Whilst Connie seems to find him difficult to work with, she obviously admires certain qualities in him. Sam was lucky (or was he) to be hand-picked as "sperm donor" when his senior colleague decided she wanted a baby. If Connie was hoping that Sam would happily concede responsibility and leave her to raise the baby by herself, she found herself mistaken. In the months since Grace was born, the two have butted heads repeatedly over the issue of his involvement in her life. Connie currently seems to have relented somewhat, due in part to both Grace being seriously injured in a fall, and Sam being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. This is a form of cancer, in Sam's case, quite advanced and over the past few months Holby has documented his struggle to continue working alongside receiving gruelling treatment. It seems Sam would rather carry on as normal, ignoring the fact he is very ill, and has a poor prognosis.Worth watching...
For Tom?
Most definitely. With it being a weekly series, and Tom's character featuring regularly, Holby ranks highest for sheer Tom-value. Sam is a likeable character, with good storylines, and Tom plays him superbly.Generally?
I've personally been watching Holby since the beginning. Long before Tom came into it, and will no doubt carry on if or when he leaves. It's generally an enjoyable programme, especially to those who either have an interest in medicine, or enjoy soaps. The plots are interesting, if not always strictly realistic, and in its time Holby has had some memorable characters. Anyone who watched the early series will not forget Anton Meyer in a hurry, and currently Connie Beauchamp, self-proclaimed Queen of Holby is a particular favourite of mine. Much like its older sister Casualty, Holby has the feel of a soap, with the ongoing stories of the staff, but also with the benefit of fresh characters in each episode, as patients pass in and out the doors. This makes for a very engaging programme.Tom's CV
TV & Film Roles
- "Holby City"
Sam Strachan (2006 - present) - "The Virgin Queen"
Gorges (2006) - "Collapsed"
Simon (2006) - "The Afternoon Play" (BBC Miniseries)
In episode "The Last Will and Testament of Billy Two-Sheds"
as Peter (2006) - "Fakers" (British Film)
as Tony Evans (2004) - "8 Percent" (Private Film)
as Dr Peter Langham (2004) - "Representative Radio" (Short Film)
as P.C. Lotus (2001)
Roles on stage
- "Blood Poetry"
as Lord Byron (2002) - "Toad of Toad Hall"
as Chief Weasel (1999) - "Cinderella"
(1998) - "The Rover"
as Benedict - "Journey's End"
as Mason
Commercials
- "Pepsi"
in America (2001) - "Kit Kat"
in Spain (1999 - 2001)
Photo Gallery
