Holby City: Paul McGann joins the surgical staff

The Holby City wards will fill with irrepressible charm just in time for Christmas, as 8th Doctor Paul McGann flies in to spread the cheer.

It won’t be a case of Dr Who though, as McGann will take on the role of Professor John Gaskell, arriving on site with a programme of surgical innovations set to rescue Holby from crisis and lead it into an exciting but unknown future.

Having made his breakthrough as Percy Toplis in the 1986 mini series The Monocled Mutineer, McGann has been much in demand, featuring in Withnail and I, Our Mutual Friend, Luther and of course, reprising his Dr Who role in The Night of the Doctor in 2013.

McGann says of his latest television role: “I’m really excited to be joining Holby. Professor John Gaskell is certainly going to be an interesting character and I can’t wait to get started on the wards.”

Head of Continuing Drama for BBC Scripted Studios, Oliver Kent says: “I am utterly thrilled that the brilliant Paul McGann has agreed to join the cast of Holby City as Professor John Gaskell. I’ve admired Paul’s work for many years on stage, screen and radio and it’s a dream come true that he is joining our company. In his hands, John Gaskell will be a mercurial force to be reckoned with and I can’t wait to see him locking horns with Jac, Hanssen, Griffin and the other Holby titans.”

Tonight’s episode is called It’s Only Love if it Hurts and features an emotionally jaded Jasmine making a life-altering decision. Serena faces up to the torment she’s caused and a resolute Bernie offers her support – but is it too late?

Meanwhile, Dominic divulges the scale of Isaac’s cruelty, and Zosia seizes a chance to help her friend but gets more than she bargained for. Mo is left shaken after being presented with a challenging view of motherhood when a pregnant woman makes a difficult choice.

Filming with McGann will begin in August and Holby viewers can look forward to an early present when he appears on screen from December. Holby City is made by BBC Studios for BBC One and is currently airing on Tuesdays at 8pm.

Image: BBC