Michael Spence (Holby City)
Michael Spence | |
---|---|
Holby City character | |
First appearance | "Unfinished Symphony" 20 November 2007 |
Last appearance | "Episode 46" 28 February 2022 |
Created by | Tony McHale |
Portrayed by | Hari Dhillon |
Spinoff(s) | Casualty (2014) |
In-universe information | |
Occupation |
|
Spouse | Annalese Carson |
Children |
|
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.
Development
Casting
The character was initially constructed as a
Characterisation
Describing Michael's personality, the official Holby City website states: "Being a doctor defines Michael. Surgery is his first love, it's the only time he feels true emotion."[5] Dhillon believes that Michael is "a very idiosyncratic character" and "not overly sincere in that 'I'm just trying to save a life' way." He described: "He's very objective about himself - as though he is slightly outside of himself in situations - a slight ironic disposition. Half the time I think he says things just to watch the reaction. He's direct, honest, morally ambiguous, unapologetic. He certainly thinks and behaves outside the normal parameters of behaviour, which is challenging to many characters."[4] Dhillon and Michael share a similar background. Michael grew up in India, moved to America, and now lives in the United Kingdom,[4] while Dhillon grew up in San Francisco, spent nine months in India aged six, and also now lives in the United Kingdom.[3] Explaining the impact of this on Michael's characterisation, Dhillon stated: "I think that type of background has a certain effect on people - I think we both share a slight ironic detachment from the world we are in. Sometimes it feels like you are an objective observer in your own life, like you are on the outside looking in. I don't feel overly identified with a particular country, I feel pretty comfortable in a number of different environments, and I think he does as well."[4] Dhillon feels that Michael has a "self-destructive perverse streak", and believes that his world is limited to his work and family. He commented: "if you took one of those things away, you would cut out half of his personality. There's not much outside of that. He’s very muscular in his medical intellect but his emotional depth, or range, has almost withered. He's learning life's lessons late and in a hard way."[2]
Relationships
Michael is introduced as being married with three daughters,
In 2008, Michael became involved in a love triangle storyline with Donna and consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Connie Beauchamp (Amanda Mealing). He flirted with Connie, and had sex with Donna in a toilet stall to which Jaye Jacobs says she was hoping Donna would get somewhere a bit more glamorous[7] Jacobs explained of Donna's affair with Michael: "Donna knows he's married deep down, although he hasn't actually told her, but unfortunately that doesn't stop her. It carries on for a while and Donna thinks he's the one, she is in love with him and he's different from all the others - she's deluded."[8] She opined that Michael was at least treating Donna a little better than her previous love interests.[9]
In October 2008, it was announced that
Series producer Diana Kyle revealed to entertainment and media website Digital Spy that in early 2009, Annalese would discover Michael's past affairs, sending her "way off course".[11] After discovering Michael's infidelity, Annalese accidentally killed a patient during surgery. Plowman became pregnant during the filming of the storyline, so was written out of the series temporarily, leaving both Michael and her job. The plotline was left open-ended, allowing Plowman to return after taking maternity leave.[12] She returned briefly to the programme in series eleven, when the couple's daughter Milly (Darcy Cannon) was admitted to hospital seriously injured.[13] Michael and colleague Ric Griffin (Hugh Quarshie) saved Milly, and he and Annalese began rebuilding their relationship.[14] Off-screen, Annalese gives birth to a son, Charlie, and in the opening episode of series twelve, Michael announced that he had become a father for the fourth time.[15] On 4 June 2010, Kyle told Kris Green of Digital Spy that Plowman would again be reprising her role as Annalese, commenting: "The last time we saw her on screen there was practically no prospect of a loving reunion but they complement each other wonderfully. Annalese will be returning, but unfortunately someone else may come between her and Michael so I can't guarantee a loving reunion."[16] Annalese returned on 15 June 2010, breaking up with Michael after their marriage counselling proved unsuccessful.[17]
Departure and returns
Following the episode broadcast 17 December 2013, Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy reported that Dhillon had chosen to take an extended break from the role to pursue other projects. His departure storyline saw him forced to leave the hospital by Guy Self (John Michie) and Serena Campbell (Catherine Russell) after he broke strict rules surrounding liver transplants. Dhillon told Kilkelly that "I have had a wonderful time at Holby during the past six years - thank you to all the viewers for their great interest and support!"[18]
On 19 June 2014, it was announced that Dhillion would be returning to Holby City for a short stint, and that Debbie Chazen would be joining the cast as his "partner-in-crime" Fleur Fanshawe.[19] Michael returned during the episode broadcast on 14 October 2014 before later leaving the show again.[20]
Holby City was cancelled in June 2021 after 23 years on air with the final episode due to be broadcast in March 2022. Producers invited multiple former cast members to reprise their roles during the show's final series.[21] In February 2022, it was revealed that Dhillon had reprised his role and would appear in episode 1098, first broadcast on 28 February 2022. Michael returns when he interviews Dominic Copeland (David Ames) for a position at the private hospital where Michael is working as a professor.[22]
Storylines
Michael arrives at Holby City Hospital in episode "Unfinished Symphony". He begins his first day being beaten up in the hospital carpark, an attack staff
It appeared that Michael had left Holby City on 20 December 2011 in an episode named, Half Empty, but he reappeared on 27 December 2011 in an episode set in Kiev and agrees to return to Holby.
Reception
The character's good looks were a focal point of early reviews, with Holby City series producer Diana Kyle describing Michael as "dishy [...] good-looking and sexy",
Reviewing the episode "Thursday's Child", Bree Treacy of RTÉ.ie wondered if Michael's separation from Annalese would lead to a romance with Connie, commenting: "Romance is not usually a word you associate with Connie but she and [Michael] do seem to enjoy a bit of banter and it might be good to see a relationship which could mix their obvious attraction for each other with their constant need to stab each other in the back."[32] Treacy later observed:
I think Michael is a far more interesting character solo than with Annalise [sic]. He seems to have great chemistry with which ever character he is paired with on a given week. At times he seems to have far better chemistry with Jac, Connie and/or Donna than the aforementioned curly-haired one so no major loss there.
References
- ^ .
- ^ a b "Hari Dhillon, Holby City". TV Choice. H Bauer Publishing. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ a b c d e "Hari Dhillon – Holby City and the National Television Awards". The Asian Today. Urban Media. 23 September 2009. Archived from the original on 11 December 2009. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Hari Dhillon Interview". Holby Gazette. 28 October 2008. Retrieved 22 June 2010.[dead link]
- ^ a b "BBC - Holby City - Characters - Michael Spence". BBC Online. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ IPC Media, p. 19
- Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ "Jaye Jacobs". itv.com. ITV. 3 April 2008. Archived from the original on 17 April 2008. Retrieved 3 April 2008.
- ^ "Video Exclusives - Jaye Jacobs" (video). BBC Online. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
- Bristol Evening Post. Northcliffe Media. 24 October 2008. Archived from the originalon 5 February 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ Green, Kris (31 December 2008). "'Holby City' 2009 Teasers". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- IPC Media. 24 March 2009. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- IPC Media. 7 July 2009. Archived from the originalon 18 March 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ "BBC - Holby City - Episode Guide - 7 July 2009". BBC Online. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ Tony McHale (writer), Christopher King (director) (26 October 2009). "The Hands that Rock the Cradle, Part 1". Holby City. Series 12. Episode 1. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ Green, Kris (4 June 2010). "Diana Kyle (Series Producer, 'Holby City')". Digital Spy. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
- ^ "Holby City Tuesday 15 June". BBC Online. BBC. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
- Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 17 December 2013.
- ^ "Holby City star to reprise Michael role". Digital Spy. 19 June 2014.
- ^ "Series 17 – 1. 'Not Waving But Drowning'". Radio Times. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- What to Watch. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ^ "Unfinished Symphony". Holby City. Season 10. Episode 6. 20 November 2007. BBC.
- ^ "Someone to Watch over Me". Holby City. Season 10. Episode 7. 27 November 2007. BBC.
- ^ "Mirror Man". Holby City. Season 10. Episode 8. 4 December 2007. BBC.
- ^ "Stolen". Holby City. Season 10. Episode 14. 15 January 2008. BBC.
- ^ "The Extra Mile". Holby City. Season 10. Episode 18. 12 February 2008. BBC.
- ^ "No Cars Go". Holby City. Season 10. Episode 22. 11 March 2008. BBC.
- ^ "Long Dark Night". Holby City. Season 10. Episode 23. 12 March 2008. BBC.
- ^ "Ask the Boss!", Inside Soap, Hachette Filipacchi Médias, p. 41, 6 November 2007
- What to Watch. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Archived from the originalon 22 July 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Archived from the originalon 25 October 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2010.