St Aidan's Royal Free Hospital

SOME OF THE QUESTIONS and ANSWERS have been edited for editorial and storyline purposes.

PAUL NICHOLAS - Mr. Woods

How would you describe Woods?

Mr. Woods is the consultant surgeon who appears to be a loner. His social skills are poor and he’s very work orientated. He’s the type of man who doesn’t suffer fools gladly. He’s strong and dedicated to his job. He’s quite mysterious as we don’t know much about him.

There’s clearly more to him than we first think. What do you think makes him tick ?

I think there is a soft side to him which he doesn’t like to reveal too often. He’s the top guy in his field, dedicated to the work and keen to instruct. I think he’s interested in passing on his knowledge in a sympathetic way but he tends to keep people at arm’s length.

He commands respect, but also keeps a distance. In a structured organisation like a hospital you do have to remain a little bit aloof. He’s a bit old school in that way and doesn’t particularly like change. In a way he rebels against change, which comes across when the new matron arrives. He has an on-going battle with authority to some extent.

Does the hospital run smoothly ? If you were ill, would you feel happy being treated at St. Aidan’s Royal Free Hospital ?

I hope never to see the inside of a hospital at any point – apart from when I’m working. To be honest with you, when we had the professional surgeons come in to look around the set of the theatre, they were very impressed with some of the equipment we had. We use proper equipment.

What kind of training did you have in order to play a surgeon ?

It was very useful when we went on a tour of St. James Hospital in Leeds to watch real surgeons at work. I’d never seen an operation before and we watched a surgeon remove a cancerous tumour. We also saw a patient who had a blockage in his penis. The surgeon scrubbed up and blasted the obstruction away with a laser. It was shown on a video screen. When a surgeon performs an operation they totally disassociate themselves from the person and I find we do that on set.

It’s probably the best way to be as you focus on the operation and not the person. I’m sure surgeons do get emotional sometimes though, especially if they are working on a child, or if they lose someone.

Is it tricky pronouncing the medical jargon ?

When I heard I had the role I went out and brought a medical dictionary so I would know the medical terminology. However, I couldn’t find a dictionary that actually told you how to pronounce the words. Eventually I found one, but we also have a nurse on set who advises on pronunciation.

Do you feel important when you put on your scrubs ?

No, I wouldn’t particularly say I do when I’m in my scrubs. I feel more like a consultant when I’m wearing my suit, because the suit elevates my position and then I do look different from the other staff.

Do you feel you could help someone with a medical emergency now ?

Not yet, but it’s interesting you ask that because the other day I was advising my mum on her eye condition and she did tell me that I sounded like a doctor! I began talking to her about her condition and then I called the hospital and spoke to them in a way so that I could try and help her.

What attracted you to The Royal Today ? Why did you decide to take the part ?

I’ve done a lot of theatre and been involved in different things over the past few years. I’ve been directing and producing and I’ve been on the road quite a bit. Whenever I wasn’t working, which wasn’t very often, I did try for the odd bit of telly. The Royal Today appeals to me because I need to do something everyday. I don’t have any hobbies. I don’t play golf for instance. I’ve always wanted to commit to an on-going role because I’ve never done that before. I’m doing what I love to do and the role and storylines are constantly changing.

What do you think will be the appeal of The Royal Today ?

I hope people will get involved with the characters and be interested in their relationships. As the series is on-going it will give the audience a chance to get to know the characters over time. It’s fast paced and will keep people interested.

You have a lot of other projects on the go at the moment. Can you tell us about those ?

I’m one of the co-producers of Grease which is running in the West End at the moment. It’s going very well. It’s also running on Broadway. The musical I’m trying to develop at the moment is The Tale of Two Cities. I also acquired the rights to produce and direct a little play last year called Keeler which was based on Christine Keeler’s book The Truth at Last. I put it on in a very small theatre and of course all the people from my generation came to watch and it did very well.

I wanted to see if it worked and hopefully we’ll now be able to tour with it. It’s a very interesting story. I was able to use a lot of music from the time which is provocative, and people know the songs and could relate to them.

ANDREW SCARBOROUGH - Dr. Jonathan Ormerod

How would you describe Dr Ormerod ?

Jonathan’s very fair minded. He's a conscientious, sensitive and understanding man. He's very good at his job and cares a lot for his patients. He's very passionate and focused when it comes to his job. He loves what he does for a living. He gets tested throughout the series when his personal life starts to impinge on his professional life.

He's aware of the choices he has, but is clear when it's comes to the difference between good and bad. I think that's what makes the character more attractive. You can actually see him make those decisions.

Jonathan’s having marital problems at home, but at work Sarah seems to have her eye on him; do you think he has feelings for her ?

His relationship with Sarah is in context. They work very closely together and because of the stresses at work they grow close. I think like anyone else he gets confused, but he hasn't acted upon it yet. He’s attracted to Sarah as she's good at her job and he recognises that quality. He knows he shouldn't go down that route and Jonathan is determined make his marriage work, even if it's not working too well at the moment. I'm sure if Jonathan does decide to get closer to Sarah it will be because he's tried everything to keep his marriage together, but without success.

What research have you done for the role ?

We've visited hospitals and followed consultants on their rounds of the wards. As well as that I've also talked to friends of mine who are doctors and asked their advice. I've been talking to them constantly about medical procedures. My mum's also been quite useful as she used to be a nurse. The research we did at the hospitals was really beneficial. I've found it very interesting.

You have to work with a lot of fake blood. Does it make you squeamish ?

I've watched some live operations - not too gory, but plenty of blood. I wasn't as squeamish as I thought I'd be watching the real thing. I was really nervous before going into the Theatre and thought I'd pass out, but I was okay. I don't know what I'd have been like if it was open heart surgery or something. On set I don't get squeamish as I know it's not real. I can cope with the fake blood. It’s the real stuff that worries me.

Your character is the link between The Royal and The Royal Today. Can you tell us what the link is ? Have you met Amy Robbins and Robert Daws who play your parents ?

Dr. Ormerod is my dad and Jill Weatherill is my mum. I went into the family business like my parents who were both doctors. I've actually met Amy who plays Dr Weatherill in The Royal; she popped into the studios and introduced herself to me as my mum. I haven't met Robert yet, but I'm sure I will as they film in the same hospital as us in Bradford.

What do you think will be the appeal of The Royal Today ?

The scripts and writing. It's quite edgy and that's what I liked about it. It's clear the characters are dealing with modern day issues, but somehow the writers manage to create this warmth as well, which is lovely. It's very interesting to see what’s going to happen next to the characters, as they're all very real. There is an edge to everything which I think is very interesting and adds a new dynamic. It's fun but there's something else there. It still has the warmth of a programme which The Royal has, but it's more contemporary.

Are you enjoying being part of a brand new cast? What’s the atmosphere like on set ?

Most people say this, but I have to say this cast are fantastic. They're all lovely and I'm very happy to be working on the programme. It's quite fast paced, which I like. We all get on well and I think that's what will help make the show work. It's great and we all want the show to work and for people to enjoy it. As it's brand new, I think we all feel like we share the responsibility to work hard and make the programme a success in the future. We’re all part of establishing something new and that's a special thing to be involved with.

Are you enjoying filming in Yorkshire ?

I love Yorkshire. I'm from Harrogate in Yorkshire originally so it's nice to come home. I have loads of memories from being up here so it's nice to be back. It's funny because my sister, Victoria Scarborough, had a guest part in The Royal, and on my first day on The Royal Today she was just over the road filming The Royal. Coincidentally, on that day, my dad was having an operation at The Royal Infirmary Hospital in Bradford, and our family name is Scarborough - which is where the exterior scenes for The Royal and The Royal Today are filmed. There seem to be lots of coincidences.

LEAH BRACKNELL - Matron Jenny Carrington

How does it feel to be back at ITV Yorkshire ?

It’s great. It’s really, really good. It’s like coming home, but the exciting thing is it’s an entirely different project so it’s like having the best of both worlds. I get to see a lot of old friends and colleagues, but at the same time working on a new drama and playing an entirely different character from the one that viewers will remember me for.

How would you describe Jenny Carrington ?

Jenny Carrington is new to the hospital. She has applied for the post of Matron which means she will have probably been a nurse for ten or fifteen years. She beat Adam Fearnley to the role and is in a difficult position, because she has to try and win people over while trying to make sure the hospital runs efficiently.

She has some very definite views as to how she would like that to be. I don’t think she suffers fools gladly, and she doesn’t make herself too popular initially because she’s too busy trying to implement new rules and regulations. At the heart of it, Jenny wants the hospital to work and doesn’t really mind if she doesn’t win any popularity contests on the way. She does tend to keep things close to her chest, so we don't really know a great deal about her initially.

Jenny’s first day in her new job doesn’t quite go to plan. Explain what happens ?

Jenny's looking forward to making a good impression on her first day, but unfortunately she falls ill with appendicitis and becomes a patient in the hospital she's supposed to be helping to run. It's slightly puts her on the wrong foot and she meets some of the members of staff, particularly Dr. Ormerod, in quite an intimate fashion! Mr. Woods operates on her, but at least she gets to see first hand how the hospital is running! The minute the surgery's over she’s working from her bed on the ward with her laptop.

Describe the relationship between Jenny and Adam ?

It slightly tricky to begin with because obviously she appreciated that his nose might have been put out of joint. He's initially a little resentful, which she can understand, so she knows she has to win Adam over. I'm sure there'll be antagonisms along the way, but at least they realise they can work well together.

How does Jenny get on with the other medical staff ?

There are women of her own age, particularly among the female doctors, but they don't really want to let her into the gang. I don't know what it is and I feel quite sorry for Jenny because she wants to join in. I think it's more to do with her position as Matron, as hey see her as part of the management which makes her a sort of enemy, a foe if you like. It doesn't matter what she says, she could potentially report them and she's not necessarily 'one of them'. Jenny's not

really allowed to be part of the inner 'clique', but she does get on well with Dr. Ormerod.

She offers a helping hand and lends an ear when he needs to talk. I think Dr. Ormerod was nice to her when she first begins work at the hospital and because of that they just clicked. He's basically her only ally. The nurses on the ward do tend to just see her as 'Matron' so once again she's not in a position where she can socialise with them. They have to answer to her and she always has to tell them off, so again it's not an equal relationship.

Did you do any training for the role ?

We spent some time at Leeds General Infirmary Hospital where I met three matrons and asked them what they felt was the key role of the matron today. It's very different from the matron of the 1960's, which Wendy Craig plays in The Royal. The position has been re-introduced and it’s a very different role nowadays. We spent some time on the wards, but also I drew from my experience 20 years ago when I worked in a hospital.

I was a nurse's assistant on a geriatrics ward which was basically wiping people’s bottoms and taking them to the toilet, making beds and feeding people. Mercifully, touch wood, I’ve not had that much experience as a patient in a hospital, but have seen it from behind the scenes.

If you were ill, would you mind being a patient at The Royal ?

From what I've seen, it does seem like a well run hospital and there doesn't appears to be too much waiting time. It always seems as if there is someone there when you need them. Whether that's an accurate picture of the hospital, I don't know, but the staff seem to know what they are doing.

Is Jenny anything like Zoe Tate, the character you played in Emmerdale ?

She's really different! I was quite nervous when I first started playing Jenny, because obviously I wanted her to be very different from Zoe. She's a stronger and more assertive person than Zoe. Jenny doesn't have all the baggage that Zoe had. She’s certainly got some baggage, but not to the extent of Zoe's.

Jenny isn't going to worry about conflicting with people, or taking people on. In fact some of the younger cast members run in the opposite direction when I put my stern face on! I do think she's very different to Zoe, but it's not really a conscious decision. It's just that they are completely different characters. Jenny feels very different; she's more mature in many ways as a person.

What did you do between leaving Emmerdale and starting The Royal Today ?

I’ve had two spells in theatre productions. I played Mrs. Manningham in Gaslight immediately after leaving Emmerdale with Peter Amory as a brutal and psychotic husband. I then went on and did another tour called Stranger On A Train in which I played a young 1960's wife whose husband is involved in a murder. I also appeared in an episode of Judge John Deed playing a bio-chemist scientist and I filmed a part in Doctors before getting this role. I did panto for the first time too and loved it; I played Prince Charming in Cinderella and had an absolute blast. I'm actually doing panto again this year.

I'm playing Fairy Pea Pod in Jack and The Beanstalk. I love panto, and many friends and colleagues told me I should do it. It’s so out of my comfort zone that I kept putting it out of my head. I thought I'd do it when I got the chance and now I think it's great. Everyday I was so excited about going on stage and just being silly. I'm also going to film a role for the BBC in Casualty 1907. So I’ve been very busy but it's all varied, so I’m enjoying myself.

What attracted you to The Royal Today ?

The first thing that attracted me was that it was ITV Yorkshire again and it means working with people I already know. You also know how things work and what’s expected. Also what appealed to me was the fact that it's a brand new programme. I'd never been involved in a new drama and it’s really interesting to be in something from the very beginning.

BEN HULL - Charge Nurse Adam Fearnley

How would you describe Adam ?

Adam is the charge nurse of Middleditch Ward. When you first meet Adam he's actually applying for the position of Matron, but he isn’t successful and Jenny Carrington gets the job instead. She arrives and turns the ward upside down. At first Adam has bit of a problem with this as, he doesn’t appreciate Jenny's way of working. He’s used to running the ward his way and decides he may look for another job.

Adam runs the ward strictly but he ensures the team have fun. People are happy to work there and they enjoy what they do. It may not be as strict as it should be, but the work gets done and Adam knows when not to cross the line. Jenny is very strict and by the book, which Adam isn't.

Adam’s in a relationship with Heather, but we sense he’s not sure about the relationship. Do you think they have a future together ?

Heather is Adam's girlfriend, and they've been together for a while. They bring out the best in each other. She absolutely adores him and he adores her. They have some great fun but they have different ideas about marriage. He's happy with his life now, which is creating a few problems for them. She's a lot more affectionate and romantic than he is. Adam thinks ‘we should carry on like this' whereas Heather always wants to kiss him on the wards! Their views on marriage show they're completely different people.

Heather has this fairy tale idea about what marriage should be about, and Adam is happy to stay as they are. It may be more about Adam clinging to his youth and not wanting to get old or grow up. It doesn't really occur to Adam to propose. He's quite the opposite to me, as I’ve always been quite romantic, and when I meet my wife Anna my romantic gland went into over drive!

How do you find pronouncing the medical terms ?

I've played a doctor before so I think that helps a bit. The problem is, when you have to talk about something like ‘Haemoglobin’, as an actor you tend to think 'oh that's a big and unusual word' and you might attach a different meaning to it. Actors tend to emphasise the word and spell it out rather than just say it. You have to learn how to say some things in a matter of fact way.

What research have you done for the role ?

I think the internet has helped actors research for a role as you can scroll through lots of information. I also went and had a chat with a chap called Scott Vansteen who is a charge nurse and works in the cardio ward at Leeds General Infirmary Hospital. I wanted to see what it was all about and I spoke to him about how I should conduct myself. When we first started filming I did some research, but you don't know how you're supposed to behave. I wanted to know if it was okay for me to stand with my arms crossed.

You're wearing this medical uniform on set, yet you don't really know how you should behave. I wanted to see how he communicated with the nurses. It was interesting because he could have fun with the nurses, but they would always know he is of a higher authority than they are. It was the little things that I found interesting. Scott is a great guy and was a big help.

Do you think you could work in a hospital ?

Not really. I think of hospitals as a place where you have to work exceptionally hard. I do think having a small insight into what the staff actually do and how hard they work, they should all be knighted. The hours they work and all the additional things they do to care for patients, means it's a very difficult job. How they manage to do that everyday, I don't know.

The Royal Today is filmed in a real hospital that is no longer in use. How do you find working in an old hospital ?

It helps with the role, but it's also a bit scary. It's cool and does have the feel of a hospital. When you’re on other sets it’s usually a big warehouse. It's good The Royal Today set feels so real. We have real equipment as well. There's these thermometers you stick on your forehead to tell your temperature. In between takes we'll have competitions to see who can raise the most heat between their hands and use the thermometers to check. I think Lisa Davina Phillip is winning at the moment.

How does The Royal Today compare to other shows you’ve worked on ?

The Royal Today is very different to other shows I’ve worked on. Hollyoaks was shot with a single camera, and on The Royal Today two cameras are used. Brookside was similar to Hollyoaks as it's the same set up. Family Affairs was very fast paced, furious and fun. I played a bit of a baddie in that; someone who's smiling one moment, but doing something evil the next. Adam is a very different character, so he’s great to play.

What’s it like to be part of a brand new cast ?

It's really good to be in a new show and I’m looking forward to all the great things that can happen. Everyone’s working towards a common goal. It's something new and exciting. Having seen some of the episodes, I’m really impressed. It’s very fast and looks great. There isn't anything else like it on daytime TV, it will certainly hold its own. I was in the original cast of Hollyoaks when it started and we had a brilliant naivety of what to expect. We were creating this brand new programme which had no set format. It's like that here which is really exciting.

What were you working on before The Royal Today ?

I have a company for out of work actors called Next Big Thing Recruitment. I was also writing, as well as painting and decorating. Before I got this job I was thinking that maybe I should give acting a break and do something responsible to support my wife and pay the bills. As an actor it's hard to make that decision, but then this job came around and it couldn't have happened at a better time.

Have there been any amusing moments on set ?

The other day Steve Huison and I were doing quite an intimate scene where we were discussing Adam’s relationship with Heather. Mid-way through the scene, a supporting actor, who must have been new to the job, walked down the corridor, and had the whole set to walk around us, but he decided to squeeze between us. It was brilliant, absolutely brilliant!

On another occasion a trolley rolled over my foot. Another thing which causes injuries, and imposes laughter, is the nurse’s station. The edge is quite pointy and I have a constant bruise from hitting my leg. It’s become one of those things that when someone else does it you just go' yes' and realise you're not the only one !