The official BBC Holby City book
Go behind the scenes in this access all areas guide to popular BBC TV medical drama Holby City. Find out how the show is made, how story ideas are developed and written, how they make the operations look so realistic, and how long it takes to film an episode.
Meet the people who make the show every week, including producers, writers, designers, nursing advisors, the casting, post-production, costume, make-up and prosthetics teams, and of course the all-important actors. In exclusive interviews the cast reveal how they create their characters and what it’s like to play doctors and nurses for a living.
THE PAPERBACK IS NOW COMPLETELY SOLD OUT.
The book is still available as an ebook from the outlets below.
Available from Amazon (ebook); SilverWood Books; for Nook e-readers; for Kobo e-readers.
This new guide to Holby City, complete with cast interviews, is everything a fan needs
If you’re a fan of Holby City then this brand new book by author Sue Haasler will be right up your street. The writer, known for her novels Time After Time and Two’s Company, accessed all areas of the popular BBC medical drama to craft a bible for fans of the show – of which she is one of the biggest. As well as including a host of behind the scenes interviews with various members of the cast, the book also explains how the show makes it from the scripting process to our screens and contains a wealth of information on the filming process and the storylines, including how those often gruesome operations are made to look to realistic. Speaking about the project, which saw Sue spend hours at the Elstree studios with the accommodating team, she told Metro.co.uk: ‘Writing this book has been an absolute pleasure. Talking to all of these brilliant people, who are experts at what they do, was amazing. I think everyone who is curious about how TV is made will find something interesting or surprising in it, and Holby fans will love it.
‘The book is the official guide to Holby City, fully authorised by the BBC. It lifts the lid on how the show is made, from the initial story idea to the finished episode. Featuring exclusive interviews with the writers, medical advisors, prosthetics designers, post-production, producers, directors, designers, costume and makeup experts – as well as the all-important cast.
‘Guy Henry, Catherine Russell, Rosie Marcel and others talk about how they create their characters and what it’s like being part of the Holby family. There are also some never-seen-before colour photos, and floorplans of the hospital set.’
Features exclusive interviews with: Executive producer and series producer Oliver Kent and Simon Harper; series producer Kate Hall; line producer Lyn Grant; producer Sarah Creasey; series production manager Ali Liddle; scheduler Lorna Whittaker; script editor Matt Denison; scriptwriters Andy Bayliss, Nick Fisher and Patrick Homes; medical researchers Hayley Cameron, Keren Coleman, Hannah Goraya and Lina Stroud; casting directors Liz Stoll and John Cannon; director Paulette Randall MBE; prosthetics designer Megan Thomas; senior nursing adviser Lisa Spencer Blackshaw; series makeup designer Jo Houtmeyers; series costume designer Helen Ashley; production designer George Kyriakides; post production supervisor Robi Borgonovo; editor Rob Platt; dubbing mixer Michael Narduzzo; and actors David Ajao (Damon Ford), David Ames (Dominic Copeland), James Anderson (Oliver Valentine), Camilla Arfwedson (Zosia March), Bob Barrett (Sacha Levy), Eleanor Fanyinka (Morven Digby), Guy Henry (Henrik Hanssen), Jaye Jacobs (Donna Jackson), Rosie Marcel (Jac Naylor), Joe McFadden (Raf Di Lucca), Lee Mead (Ben ‘Lofty’ Chiltern), John Michie (Guy Self), Hugh Quarshie (Ric Griffin), Jemma Redgrave (Bernie Wolfe), Catherine Russell (Serena Campbell), Christian Vit (Matteo Rossini), Alex Walkinshaw (Adrian ‘Fletch’ Fletcher) and Kaye Wragg (Essie Di Lucca). Includes special chapters on Casualty crossovers, the Holby sets, the Berena storyline and the death of Arthur Digby, plus floorplans of the hospital, an excerpt of an actual script and exclusive colour photos.
From Twitter
“What a lot of research you put in and now we know the work that goes into making these programmes” – @YvonneMcgurk
“It’s been a really wonderful read! Truly. Thank you!” – @En_Chan_ted0203
“I’ve just finished reading it. Absolutely astounded how much work goes into making just one episode! Hats off to everyone involved and hats off to you for writing it” – @kma1974
“I have finally finished this great #HolbyCity Book “Behind the Screen” by Sue Haasler. Such a brilliant book and the ending got me 😢 (Teary) about #ArthurDigby. I hope those who have the book enjoy it as its brilliant!” – @Danfrench32
“I’m only half way through the book and I’m staggered at the amount of work that goes into making one episode!” – @mmsmyth
“It’s such an interesting read I could hardly put it down. Had no idea how much goes into producing the show.” – @rubyred171
“@catherinerusse2 @jemma_redgrave @pauseliveaction just read the #holby book in one sitting! Thank you…what a truly fascinating insight into your work methodology and occupation as actors. We are super grateful for all your hard work!” – @AnnaJ1979
“Thank you @pauseliveaction 😆 My book has made it safely to Australia & I am loving it, such an easy read! 😊” – @MarijanaSicevic
“It has made it down to little New Zealand and loving it so far. Thankyou” – @LaEchelon
“Got mine today, had to start reading it immediately… of course. Fabulous insight into life behind the scenes. Thankyou” – @phillnsan
“Just finished your fantastic book Holby City – Behind the Screen @pauseliveaction I couldn’t put it down awesome book to accompany my favourite tv program. I will now look at that cupboard knowing what’s going on inside 😉😎x” – @Flumps96
“I’ve already read Jemma’s page and it brought a little tear to my eye!! Can’t wait to read the rest of it 😁 ” – @YouAreMyWolfePk
“Loads of interesting details and it was great to get to know more about the show in general and especially my favorite characters/actors and story lines. I’ve always been interested not just the shows I watch but everything that’s involved, so 👍, really.” – @Kayryn
“The Holby book arrived today and I just read it in one sitting. Excellent work” – @claremcdean
“It arrived this morning… it’s fascinating stuff 😀 ” – @SamCook69
“Damn you @pauseliveaction I need to go to work but can’t stop reading your book!” – @WendyLaker
“Heartwarming & humorous. Thankyou for this lovely book @pauseliveaction sums up how amazing holby is and how much we all love it.” – @Rhi_LittleMix
” Finished reading ‘Behind the Screen’ and thoroughly enjoyed it…wonderful to know they’re a lovely working family as reflected in every one of the interviews that you did! Mind you I was sobbing after ‘Death of Digby’ at the end of the book! Well done! 👏” – @DawnSpinks2
“I’ve nearly finished your Holby book, I’ve so enjoyed it. The effort of all the cast and crew and the genuine passion everyone has for the show is lovely. The interviews were brilliant too. Thank you.” – @SillMILuk
“Just read the chapter on Jac… and its put my heart at ease knowing that shes not going anywhere anytime soon… Wanna know more.. get this book its actually amazing!!!!” – @Shanno_SJ
“Total immersion in the world of #Holby. A must for every @BBCHolbyCity enthusiast. With great insights ‘Behind The Screen'” -@JR01992
HOLBY CITY BEHIND THE SCREEN
pauseliveaction 