Holby City star Guy Henry on how Hanssen's return will ‘cause conflict!’

Henrik Hanssen (Guy Henry) Holby City
(Image credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron)

With Holby City hospital in crisis, has Henrik Hanssen's return come at just the right time? Actor Guy Henry tells us more...

Let’s face it, Holby City has not been the same without the mysterious Henrik Hanssen looming around the corridors of TV’s favourite hospital.

Hanssen (Guy Henry) took a leave of absence last year to return to his native Sweden with grandson Oskar. But with Holby currently in crisis under acting CEO Max McGerry, everyone – including us! – is pleased to see him when he returns next week.

Respected surgeon Hanssen has heard the hospital is massively understaffed, and assures Max (Jo Martin) he’s not there to step on her toes, just to help out in a surgical capacity.

Fellow surgeon Sacha Levy wastes no time filling Hanssen in on the staff cuts and ‘backdoor privatisation’ under Max’s reign. Hanssen surprisingly jumps to Max’s defence, though, saying she’ll have her reasons for the decisions she’s made.

Holby Hanssen Sacha

Sacha is thrilled to see his friend and colleague Hanssen back on the wards...

Meanwhile, Dominic’s adoptive mum Carole (Julia Deakin) has been admitted for bowel surgery. It’s a routine op but Carole’s extremely nervous. So she’s reassured when she learns her old friend – and one-time dance partner – Hanssen will be her surgeon.

Carole’s most concerned about needing a colostomy bag, and begs Hanssen to do what he can to avoid it. Hanssen feels the pressure in theatre and when Carole develops a bleed he’s uncharacteristically forced to call for back-up.

Holby Sacha Carole

Carole and Hanssen became firm friends before he left for Sweden. Can he help her now?

Carole’s grateful to Hanssen for going the extra mile for her and it seems Max, too, is pleased with Hanssen’s contribution that day. Hanssen insists he’s there purely to help as a surgeon until she’s ready to hand back the reigns as CEO. But is he really on Max’s side as much as she thinks?

"Hanssen’s throwing himself back into the people at Holby he can invest in and support," says Guy Henry, who reprises the role. "He’s so used to getting his own way, so when someone comes in and challenges him, there’s bound to be conflict."

Holby Hanssen Max

With Hanssen back on the scene, does Max need to watch out? Watch Holby City, Tuesdays at 8pm on BBC1.

Victoria Wilson
Feature Writer for What’s on TV, TV Times, TV & Satellite Week and WhatToWatch.com

With over 20 years’ experience writing about TV and film, Vicky currently writes features for What’s on TV, TV Times, TV & Satellite Week magazines plus news and watching guides for WhatToWatch.com, a job which involves chatting to a whole host of famous faces. Our Vicky LOVES light entertainment, with Strictly Come Dancing, Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice UK among her fave shows. Basically, if it’s got a shiny floor, she’s all over it! When she’s not watching TV, you might find Vicky in therapy… retail therapy that is!