Josh Hudson
Josh Hudson | |
---|---|
Holby City character | |
First appearance | Episode 1034 10 November 2020 |
Last appearance | Episode 1102 29 March 2022 |
Portrayed by | Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge |
In-universe information | |
Occupation | F2 doctor (prev. F1 doctor) |
Significant other | Ange Godard |
Relatives |
|
Josh Hudson is a fictional character from the
Most of Josh's stories revolve around his relationship with consultant Ange Godard (Dawn Steele), which is marred by the ethics of a junior doctor-mentor romance and the age difference between them. Light relief scenes were created through the secretive nature of the relationship. Blackwood-Cambridge and Steele filmed close contact scenes for the pair after isolating for a week before filming. The relationship was challenged through the introduction of Josh's mother, Elaine Hudson (Carol Walton), and Ange becoming pregnant with twins. Writers coincided the twins' premature birth with a bomb explosion at the hospital, leaving the lives of Josh, Ange and his new family unit in danger.
Producers used the character to explore the issue of bulimia nervosa over several months. Josh begins struggling after becoming a father and beginning a new rotation on the cardiothoracic unit. A friendship with clinical lead Eli Ebrahimi (Davood Ghadami) was established as Josh struggles to tell Ange. The story develops when he begins therapy, where he meets Claudia Blaise (Lottie Tolhurst). When Holby City was cancelled, writers had to conclude Josh's stories. Claudia was killed off, which inspires Josh to seek further help. Josh and Ange's relationship was also given a positive ending. The character and his stories were received well by television critics. Sam Thomas praised the character's bulimia plot in a feature for the Metro.
Casting
Holby City was forced to suddenly suspend production in March 2020 due to the
Development
Characterisation and early storylines
Cheeky-chappy Josh cannot wait to get cracking on the wards – he's spent six years slogging away in the library and now it's time to enjoy the fruits of his late night labours. Unlike some terrified F1's you won't find Josh cowering behind a bedpan in the linen cupboard: if there's a crisis you'll always find him grinning in the thick of it![4]
— An excerpt from Josh's profile on the official Holby City website.
Josh is characterised as a confident, "cheeky-chappy" F1 doctor who is fresh out of university, ready to start his first rotation at
Josh is introduced during series 22 in the show's 1034th episode, which premiered on 4 November 2020.[7] Josh begins working across the hospital wards alongside Jeong-Soo and Skylar during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their first episode explores the impact of COVID-19 on the hospital, mirroring the struggles of the National Health Service (NHS). Writers used the characters to highlight how junior doctors were facing the pandemic as newly-qualified medics.[2] The F1s are immediately "thrown in at the deep end" when they are sent straight into work by senior consultant Henrik Hanssen (Guy Henry) with only a short welcome.[8] Josh's early stories see him tasked by Hanssen to work together on cases with Jeong-Soo and Skylar. In one story, the trio work their first New Year's Eve shift, which Josh finds dull especially when he is given "an apparently mundane case".[9]
Producers later incorporated Josh into Hanssen's story about
Relationship with Ange Godard
Producers paired Josh romantically with consultant Ange Godard (Dawn Steele). Writers subtly included hints to a relationship in scenes after Josh is introduced,[13] but it was only confirmed in a promotional trailer for the show's 2021 episodes.[14] Ange's feelings towards Josh emerge after he claims to have had sex with a patient to protect Jeong-Soo. When the truth is revealed, Ange appears pleased, which Sophie Dainty of Digital Spy suggested could mean she has "a secret crush" on Josh.[13] The pair's flirtation advances when Ange reprimands Josh and they have sex. When Ange returns to work after a period of leave, Josh tries to reduce her workload.[15] Josh performs a tricky procedure on a patient alone which should be performed by a consultant. This annoys Ange, but she appreciates his efforts for her; acting on their "palpable spark", they have sex in the on-call room.[15][16] In the aftermath, Josh becomes keen to make their hookups more regular, while Ange wants them to be kept secret from their colleagues.[17] The secretive nature of the pairing allowed writers to create light relief scenes for the show.[18] During one hookup, Ange tries to stop them from being found together, leaving Josh forced to return to the ward naked.[17]
The relationship is marred by its unethical status as junior doctor/mentor romances are frowned upon.
Dom reports Josh and Ange to Hanssen, who conducts an investigation into the allegations. Both Josh and Ange are "unapologetically transparent" about their relationship and share all locations in which they had sex at work, shocking Hanssen.[23][24] Although Josh hopes they can now go public, Ange decides to end it.[25] The actors filmed the scenes at close proximity, unlike other scenes in the show which were all filmed at a distance due to COVID-19 restrictions. To be able to do this, Blackwood-Cambridge and Steele isolated in a hotel for a week before filming the episode block.[25] Steele enjoyed filming at close proximity with another actor again and documented it in an Instagram post.[25] Josh struggles with Ange's decision and decides to transfer to another hospital. On shift, Josh and Ange work together to treat a critically ill mother and baby and soon realise they make "a dream team".[26] Combined with learning about the death of their colleague Kian Madani (Ramin Karimloo), the pair gain "some much-needed perspective".[27] Ange realises that she cannot let Josh leave, so they recommence their relationship.[27]
Pregnancy
Producers challenged Josh and Ange's relationship by making Ange pregnant with twins.
Writers created dramatic scenes for the birth of Josh and Ange's twins as she gives birth prematurely in the midst of a bomb explosion at the hospital. The story team scheduled these scenes to occur over a series of episodes.
Bulimia
"On the surface it may seem that Josh is rising to the challenge, but underneath it all he's barely staying afloat. What drives Josh through is his self-inflicted pressure to be the person everyone expects him to be. In his mind, he's a failure if he's not excelling in every aspect of his life, which of course is a recipe for disaster."[38]
—Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge discussing how Josh copes with his responsibilities. (2021)
Producers used the character of Josh to explore the issue of bulimia nervosa. Blackwood-Cambridge felt proud to explore the topic "through a different lens" as he felt that bulimia in men was less discussed.[5] He researched the subject extensively, including watching Freddie Flintoff: Living With Bulimia and speaking to people with bulimia.[5] The actor hoped that the story would inspire those with bulimia to seek support.[5] In his backstory, Josh suffered bulimia while caring for his mother and studying for his A-level exams.[39] The story begins in the aftermath of his children's traumatic birth as he struggles to manage his home life with his career.[39] Blackwood-Cambridge explained that the trauma of the birth, the "rough" pregnancy, the health of the babies and his mother, and his relationship with Ange contributed to the bulimia relapse.[38] Dainty (Digital Spy) billed the storyline as a "big, new plot" for Holby City.[39]
As part of his F1 rotation, Josh is transferred to Darwin, the hospital's cardiothoracic ward. Writers reintroduced Josh's mother Elaine into the show as she recognises that he is not coping with his responsibilities as a father, partner and F1.[40] On this, Blackwood-Cambridge commented, "On the surface it may seem that Josh is rising to the challenge, but underneath it all he’s barely staying afloat."[38] They also created a friendship between Josh and Darwin's clinical lead, Eli Ebrahimi (Davood Ghadami), as part of the story. The pair bond over their respective struggles and decide to start jogging together as a form of "escape from their hectic lives".[40] Blackwood-Cambridge stated that Josh idolises Eli as he is "everything you could want - a successful doctor, who is highly praised and respected by all".[38] Josh also impresses senior surgeon Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel) when he secures a big trial for the hospital.[41] Jac decides to challenge Josh in his work, which Eli becomes concerned about. Josh makes errors throughout the day as he feels the pressure and he eventually suffers a panic attack in secret.[42]
Josh falls into a cycle of running in excess, binge-eating and purging on food. Blackwood-Cambridge told Victoria Wilson from What to Watch that it is "controlled chaos" as the cycle makes him feel in control.
Eli struggles to keep Josh's secret and tells him to seek help from his general practitioner (GP) or he will tell Ange himself.[44] Josh decides to speak to his GP after being made to feel "more alone than ever" following Ange's choice not to return to work yet.[44][45] He is informed that he may have to wait months to receive therapy.[45] Josh leaves his patient unattended, leaving them in danger. He struggles with this and Blackwood-Cambridge said that Josh believes that "he failed his patient, and in some way failed the hospital and his family".[38] As a result of this, Josh starts bingeing and purging again.[38] Josh eventually confides in Ange and she is very supportive. She promises not to "mother him" as long as Josh talks to her about his treatment.[46] When one of Josh's patient dies, Ange instantly becomes over concerned, annoying Josh. She later explains that she is trying hard to "find the right balance between supporting him but not being overbearing".[46]
Claudia Blaise and final stories
Lottie Tolhurst was cast in the story as Claudia Blaise, a physiotherapist who attends the same group therapy session as Josh. Blackwood-Cambridge described Claudia as "outspoken with immense charm" and said that she bonds with Josh over their similar experiences.[47] Josh is worried about attending the therapy as he does not want to confront his own past. Blackwood-Cambridge commented, "Therapy is too triggering, too painful for Josh to navigate."[47] Josh struggles at the session and leaves early, but lies to Ange that it was successful. Blackwood-Cambridge stated that Josh lies to "put [Ange's] mind at ease".[47] He also opined that the recovery could negatively impact on Josh and Ange's relationship.[48]
Josh and Claudia meet again and she encourages him to try another group therapy session. Ange sees them together and Claudia is shocked to learn that she is Josh's partner.
In June 2021, it was announced that Holby City had been cancelled after twenty-three series. The final episode was broadcast in March 2022.[52] Story producer Ben Wadey told Calli Kitson from Metro that the story team had to create suitable endings for all the regular characters.[53] Steele explained that the story concludes as Josh "has to come to terms with [his bulimia] and move forward".[54] She also confirmed that Josh and Ange would receive their own "happy ending" in the end.[54] As part of the end of the bulimia plot, Tolhurst reprised her role as Claudia.[55] In the narrative, Claudia is admitted onto the AAU after struggling with her bulimia. Josh is then "unsettled" to learn that Claudia has faked her recovery in a similar manner to him.[55] Claudia requires emergency surgery but is pronounced dead during the operation, leaving Josh "inconsolable".[55] Grieving, he lashes out at director of nursing Madge Britton (Clare Burt) in the operating theatre. Josh takes on the job of informing Claudia's parents, worrying Ange about his attachment to Claudia.[55] Claudia's death inspires Josh to admit to Ange about his own recovery. He confesses that his bulimia makes him "feel weak and inferior", but Ange reassures him and chastises him for lying to her.[55]
In the show's penultimate episode, Claudia's mother, Anita Blaise (Zoë Aldrich), arrives at the hospital and confronts Josh, believing that he played a role in Claudia's death.[56] She brings along Claudia's diaries, which Dom discovers and accuses Josh of cheating on Ange. Confronted, Josh reveals that the truth about his and Claudia's relationship and promises it was a platonic relationship. He then informs Ange about Dom's accusations.[56] Dom struggles with the revelation of Josh's bulimia as he feels pushed out of the family unit. When he then learns that Chloe has supported Josh, he feels "like an outsider all over again".[57] In the final episode, Josh works with Ange and Dom on reuniting patient Ken Davies (Hamish Clarke) with his family, mirroring their own family reunion in the episode.[58]
Reception
Steven Murphy from What to Watch summarised the character's tenure on Holby City: "Josh had a dramatic time on Holby, battling his eating disorder and negotiating his forbidden romance with Ange".[59] Sue Haasler, writing for the Metro, described the character as "the very wonderful Josh Hudson".[60] Dainty (Digital Spy) called Josh's first shift "a baptism of fire",[2] while Haasler quipped, "What a day to start a new job".[61] She cringed at the dialogue surrounding Josh and Ange's first time having sex and opined that it was not their "most professional moment, given that he's a very junior doctor and she's his manager".[15] Dainty thought Josh and Ange's pairing was predictable.[16] What's on TV's Claire Buck included Chloe discovering Josh and Ange's relationship in her television highlights for the week.[22]
Josh and Ange's reconciliation after working together on an ill mother and baby was listed in the respective television highlights by Victoria Wilson (What's on TV) and Hannah Verdier from The Guardian.[26][62] The episodes which begin Josh and Ange's pregnancy story arc were included in Buck's television highlights for their respective weeks.[29][33] Dainty found the birth of Josh and Ange's children emotional and warned viewers, "Trust us, this one's a tearjerker."[35] Columinst Sam Thomas praised Josh's bulimia story in a piece for the Metro. As a man with bulimia, Thomas opined that if he had watched the story as a teenager, he would have been prompted to seek help sooner.[63]
References
- ^ BBC Media Centre. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
- ^ Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
- The Irish Independent. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Josh Hudson". BBC Online. BBC. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g Wilson, Victoria (4–10 December 2021). "Pulling together". What's on TV. No. 26. p. 48.
- ^ Haasler, Sue (8 December 2020). "Holby City review with spoilers: Cameron's flying high – but for how long?". Metro. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
- ^ Patrick Homes (writer); Steve Brett (director); Jane Wallbank (producer) (10 November 2020). "Episode 26". Holby City. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ Haasler, Sue (10 November 2020). "10 Holby City spoilers: Ric in deadly danger as coronavirus strikes the hospital". Metro. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
- ^ Haasler, Sue (5 January 2021). "Holby City spoilers: Beka collapses after being poisoned by Jodie". Metro. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
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- ^ a b c Haasler, Sue (30 March 2021). "Holby City review with spoilers: Nicky McKendrick leaves Holby, and Henrik Hanssen opens up about his abuse". Metro. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
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- ^ Haasler, Sue (1 June 2021). "Holby City review with spoilers: Fletch and Evie in danger as Jeni is exposed as abuser?". Metro. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
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- ^ Haasler, Sue (25 May 2021). "Holby City review with spoilers: Suspension for Sacha as Dominic betrays him". Metro. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
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- ^ a b Buck, Claire (29 May – 4 June 2021). "Holby City". What's on TV. No. 21. p. 4.
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- ^ Haasler, Sue (8 June 2021). "Holby City review with spoilers: Andrei and Evie Fletcher vanish as Lucky messes up". Metro. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
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- ^ a b Wilson, Victoria (19–25 June 2021). "Holby City". What's on TV. No. 24. p. 3.
- ^ a b "Save our love!". Inside Soap. No. 25. 19–25 June 2021. p. 33.
- ^ Kitson, Calli (16 July 2021). "Holby City trailer reveals Eli's arrival, Evie's abuse and who is the new Director of Improvement?". Metro. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
- ^ a b c Buck, Claire (3–9 July 2021). "Holby City". What's on TV. No. 26. p. 4.
- ^ Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
- ^ "Maybe baby?". Inside Soap. No. 28. 10–16 July 2021. p. 28.
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- ^ a b Buck, Claire (17–23 July 2021). "Holby City". What's on TV. No. 28. p. 5.
- ^ a b c Tyler, Laura-Jayne (4–10 September 2021). "Holby explodes?". Inside Soap. No. 36. pp. 18–19.
- ^ Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
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- ^ Haasler, Sue (12 October 2021). "Holby City tackles assisted dying as paralysed Lucky wants to die?". Metro. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
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- ^ Haasler, Sue (29 March 2022). "Holby City spoilers: Final ever episode is a stunning tribute to the show and NHS". Metro. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- What to Watch. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ Haasler, Sue (5 October 2021). "Holby City spoilers: Lucky permanently paralysed after Jeni's attack?". Metro. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- ^ Haasler, Sue (10 November 2020). "Holby City review with spoilers: Huge exit for Ric Griffin as coronavirus strikes the hospital". Metro. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
- ^ Verdier, Hannah (22 June 2021). "TV tonight: the civil rights lawyer elected Philadelphia's top lawman". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
- ^ Thomas, Sam (26 October 2021). "As a man with bulimia, I struggled to get meaningful help from doctors". Metro. Retrieved 19 April 2022.