Holby City: Ric Griffin’s exit confirmed as Hugh Quarshie steps down after 19 years

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After 19 years playing Ric Griffin, actor Hugh Quarshie is stepping down from the role as his storyline comes to a climax next month. Hugh is Holby City’s longest serving cast member and throughout the show’s history, viewers have seen his character Ric caught up in shootings and explosions, separate conjoined twins, have five on-screen marriages and even get accused of manslaughter.

I came very close to quitting acting entirely before being invited to join Holby City

Holby City actor Hugh Quarshie

Holby City will return for a special episode which will see the hospital’s CEO Max (played Jo Martin) wrestle to keep the hospital in control and her staff safe as the virus takes hold.

But it’s not just the pandemic Max is fighting, as Ric goes head to head with her for control of the hospital.

As the task at hand proves to be bigger than anyone could have imagined, it begins to take its toll on Max and the Holby City staff, will they all survive?

Fans will have to wait and see if Ric contracts coronavirus or realises he doesn’t want to fight Max for control of the hospital in the midst of the pandemic.

Speaking of his decision to leave the BBC medical drama, Hugh remarked: “I came very close to quitting acting entirely before being invited to join Holby City.

“I had felt unfulfilled and that I never quite fitted in. Holby City changed all that.

“The work became absorbing, colleagues became friends.

“I wouldn’t have stayed so long if it hadn’t been a great place to work, and leaving will be like leaving home – a place where there is warmth and a welcome, a place to which you can always return.”

Elsewhere in Holby City, Sacha Levy’s (Bob Barrett) colleagues express concern over his bizarre behaviour.

Fans last saw Sacha devastated as he learned his future wife Essie Di Lucca (Kaye Wragg) had died just before their wedding.

Both viewers and the staff at Holby will be left questioning where has the friendly Sacha gone and on what is he up to with his ex-patient Jodie (Sian Reese-Williams)?

Meanwhile, Cameron (Nic Jackman) will struggle in the face of the pandemic but refuses to let that diminish his sense of entitlement to one of the top positions in the hospital.

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He’s also up to his devious tricks once more and it seems he may have his eye on someone other than Nicky McKendrick (Belinda Owusu) – who could it be?

Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel) and Kian Madani’s (Ramin Karimloo) secret relationship is pushed to the limits thanks to his addiction.

Will they make it through or will Jac be challenged at the first hurdle?

Meanwhile, Donna Jackson (Jaye Jacobs) sees an unwelcome friend return to Holby, but why is she so resistant to his charms?

The hospital will also be welcoming three new F1 doctors to the team; Josh Hudson (Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge) and Jeong Soo-Han (Chan Woo Lim) and Skylar Bryce (Phoebe Pryce).

Psych nurse Lucky Simpson played by Vineeta Rishi also joins, brought in by Chairman of the Board Michael Townsend to help the hospital recover from the COVID crisis.

Kate Oates, Head of Continuing Drama at BBC Studios, says: “I’m delighted to have Holby back on our screens, and can’t wait to see how recent months have impacted on our heroes of AAU, Keller and Darwin.

“Our hospitals have rarely been more important to us as a nation, and I’m excited to see that reflected in our drama – along with stories of love, loss and betrayal, plus some exciting new characters, and a returning favourite…”

Holby City returns to BBC One at November 10 at 8pm.

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