Paul Nicholls joins Holby City

Paul Nicholls joins Holby City (Image credit: PA Archive/Press Association Ima)

Paul Nicholls is joining the cast of Holby City. Paul - who has starred in EastEnders, Harley Street and, most recently, Law & Order: UK - will play experienced Nurse Simon Marshall, who is set to 'ruffle a few feathers' on the BBC1 medical drama. The actor said: "I'm delighted to be joining as a guest on Holby City, it's a programme I've always admired and I'm thrilled to be part of this particular storyline. Simon is a confident guy and is sure to be in his element, I can't wait to get stuck in." Quick-witted Simon is used to dealing with doctors and their egos, is not afraid of standing up to his superiors and undermining hospital hierarchy. Johnathan Young, executive producer, said: "Paul is an actor with a fantastic pedigree and we are delighted he'll be joining Holby City for a few months. "I can't give too much away at the moment, but his character is definitely going to have an impact and ruffle a few feathers." Paul will make his on screen debut in May 2012.

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix.

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.