Holby City (series 22)

The series began with 15 roles receiving star billing. Jo Martin portrays Max McGerry, a consultant in neurosurgery and the acting chief executive officer of Holby City Hospital, the show's setting. Hugh Quarshie stars as Ric Griffin, the hospital's medical director and a consultant general surgeon on the Acute Assessment Unit (AAU). Alex Walkinshaw stars as Adrian "Fletch" Fletcher, the director of nursing services. Catherine Russell plays Serena Campbell, the clinical lead of the AAU and a consultant general surgeon. Marcus Griffiths acts as Xavier "Zav" Duval, a general surgical registrar on the unit, and Nic Jackman features as Cameron Dunn, a general surgical CT1 doctor. Jaye Jacobs appears as Donna Jackson, the unit's senior staff nurse. Bob Barrett continues his role as Sacha Levy, a consultant general surgeon and the clinical lead of the general surgery ward, Keller. David Ames portrays Dominic Copeland, Keller ward's general surgical registrar. Kaye Wragg plays staff nurse Essie Di Lucca on the ward. Dawn Steele features as Ange Godard, a consultant general surgeon and the clinical lead of the Young Adult Unit (YAU), who later becomes the clinical lead of the AAU. Ramin Karimloo appears as Kian Madani, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon and the clinical lead of the cardiothoracic surgery ward, Darwin. Rosie Marcel features in the series as Jac Naylor, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, and later, the co-clinical lead of the ward. Amy Lennox stars as Chloe Godard, a cardiothoracic registrar. Belinda Owusu portrays Nicky McKendrick, a cardiothoracic CT1 doctor. Additionally, the semi-regular cast contains Jules Robertson, Darcey Burke, Julia Deakin and Charlie Condou who star as porter Jason Haynes, Jac's daughter Emma Naylor-Maconie, Dominic's adoptive mother Carole Copeland, and locum consultant general surgeon Ben Sherwood, respectively.[24]

Russell's departure from the drama after seven years was confirmed on 30 October 2019, and Serena's exit airs at the beginning of the series.[32] Harper expressed his sadness at the departure, but wished the actress the best for the future and thanked her for her "unique, drily witty and passionate" performance as Serena.[32] The character departs in episode 3.[33] Condou's guest stint as Ben ends in episode 11 at the conclusion of his coming out story. Condou explained that Ben leaves after deciding to "spend a bit of time trying to figure out who he is."[34]

Guy Henry returns to his role as Henrik Hanssen, a consultant general surgeon, during this series, having taken a break in the previous series.[35] Henry confirmed that he had returned for a longer stint,[36] and Hanssen returns in the seventh episode as part of a story involving Carole.[36] The return of actor John Michie in the role of consultant neurosurgeon Guy Self was announced on 6 March 2020. Guy returns following the privatisation of Darwin ward by external company Kestrel, which Guy has shares in.[26] Harper expressed his delight at the character's return, promising that he would "sow trouble and strife" and create tension with Ric.[26] The character returns in episode 13.[15]

Tyler Luke Cunningham joined the cast as Louis McGerry, the son of Max, in episode 12. Louis, like Cunningham, is transgender and his introduction coincided with Trans Day of Visibility.[37] Initially appearing in a recurring role, Cunningham joined the show's regular cast in episode 15 as Louis begins employment at the hospital as a staff nurse.[38]

The series features several recurring characters, and numerous guest stars. Wallbank confirmed in an August 2019 interview that two cast members from Holby City's sister show Casualty: Jason Durr (David Hide) and Shaheen Jafargholi (Marty Kirkby) would appear during this series for guest appearances.[22] Marty appears in a story with his cousin, Kian, and David appears in a story about nursing.[22] Jafargholi's appearance features in episode two.[39] Durr filmed his appearances in December 2019,[40] and he appears in episodes 12 and 13.[14][15] Nicky features prominently in the series as part of a "big, gritty, topical" story exploring her personal struggles.[22] As part of the story, actress Cathy Murphy was cast to portray Nicky's mother, Tracey McKendrick, in a recurring capacity from episode 3.[33][41] Tracey's blackmailer, Steve Connor (John Wark), was also introduced for the story, appearing in two episodes.[42] Susan Engel reprised her guest role as Sacha's great aunt, Maria Edelman, in episode 4, having last appeared in series 19.[5] She appears in the Holocaust Memorial Day episode.[22] Following this, David Horovitch reprised his role as Rabbi Stein, the rabbi at Sacha's synagogue, having also previously appeared in a series 19 episode.[43] John Barrowman was cast in a one-episode guest role as Drew Nicholson-Heath, a consultant and "renowned global recruiter" who shares a backstory with Ange.[44] Barrowman expressed his delight at appearing in the drama and commented, "My character Drew brings a new flavour to the show and I look forward to his return soon. Surgery will never be the same again."[44] Episode 18 features the appearance of Fletch's daughter, Evie Fletcher, who is now portrayed by Phoebe French.[20] Macey Chipping previously played the character across four series.[45] Amanda Mealing, who portrays Connie Beauchamp in Casualty and formerly in Holby City, told Elaine Reilly of What's on TV that she would make a crossover appearance in the series to "visit the old gang again".[46]