Penny Valentine (Holby City)
Encyclopedia
Persephone "Penny" Valentine is a fictional character
from the BBC
medical drama
television series Holby City
, portrayed by actress Emma Catherwood
. She appeared from 2009-11, in the programme's eleventh to thirteenth series
. Penny was introduced alongside her younger brother, Oliver
(James Anderson
), as a Foundation House Officer 1
(F1) on surgical rotation at Holby City Hospital. She eventually progressed to F2 level, before being killed off in the aftermath of a train crash; her death occurring off-screen.
and series producer Diana Kyle announced their arrival in May 2009, with Kyle describing them both as "full of energy and enthusiasm", assessing that they would have an "instant impact on the wards at every level." McHale described them as "a great addition to the gang", explaining that: "They both want to achieve and although one is more naturally gifted than the other, they're both very talented doctors. Work and private lives are bound to collide in their quests to climb their respective career ladders." Actress Emma Catherwood
was cast in the role of Penny. She observed several bypass operations
as preparation for the role, which she described as a "wonderful experience" which she felt privileged to attend, and also learned how to insert a cannula
and central line
. Catherwood dyed her hair red for the role, believing that the colour suits Penny's "feisty and ambitious" personality.
Holby City website describes Penny as "outgoing, playful and stylish", assessing that "she always seems positive", is "determined to learn everything about everything" and that "nothing stands in her way". Catherwood has similarly described Penny as "eager to please [and] ambitious", unwilling to let anything get in the way of her career advancement. She has deemed Penny's relationship with Oliver "one of constant rivalry but ultimately unconditional support", explaining that: "Everything always comes more easily to Oliver than Penny - she has spent her life playing catch up". From her first day at Holby General, Penny is bullied by registrar
Jac Naylor
(Rosie Marcel
). Catherwood described the clash between the characters as one between "two very strong-willed women", explaining of her character's motivation: ""Although [Penny] doesn't like Jac so much, she has to impress Jac in order to get to where she wants to be."
Catherwood was initially told little about her character's background. She was made aware that Penny is "closed down" to men and relationships, in contrast to Oliver who has frequent affairs, but only had "an inkling" of why that was the case. During the show's twelfth series, Penny falls in love with heart transplant patient Scott James (Joshua Bowman), with Catherwood assessing that Scott "forces her to open her heart". Forced to decide between Scott and her career, Penny chooses love, which Catherwood described as "a huge thing to do". Although Scott ultimately breaks up with Penny on Oliver's advice, Catherwood felt that the development actually made the siblings' relationship stronger, explaining: "You forgive your family for an enormous amount. He's there as soon as she breaks down, he's there to catch her, full of apologies and support. It's just another thing that brothers and sisters go through and support each other through."
Catherwood felt that the storyline would make Penny more driven with regards to her work, assessing that she had formerly been mistaken in being so confident and ambitious. She believed that Penny had been "shaken" by her rejection, which would lead to her becoming more vulnerable both personally and professionally. The actress hoped that Penny would improve at her job in the future, though commented that none of the remaining Holby City characters were a suitable match for her romantically.
, alongside her brother Oliver. Registrar Jac Naylor takes an instant dislike to her, and ignores her request to work on the hospital's Acute Assessment Unit
, placing her instead on the general surgery
ward, Keller. After making a good impression on cardiothoracic
consultant
Connie Beauchamp
(Amanda Mealing
), Penny is transferred to the cardiothoracic surgery ward, Darwin, where she is mentored by consultant surgeon
Elliot Hope
(Paul Bradley
). Penny develops feelings for Scott James, a patient awaiting a heart transplant, and the two begin a relationship. During an unrelated case, Penny convinces a reluctant husband to donate
his deceased wife's organs, unaware that Scott will be the recipient of her heart. When Elliot discovers their relationship and the link between cases, he holds Penny back a surgical rotation and forbids her to see Scott again. Scott announces his intention to move to Spain, and asks Penny to leave with him. Disillusioned with medicine, Penny agrees; however, Oliver convinces Scott that Penny will come to regret abandoning her career, and Scott rescinds his offer, leaving alone.
When Oliver makes a surgical mistake, he attempts to persuade Penny to take the blame for him. He alters the affected patient's records to substitute his name for Penny's, but is caught by registrar Antoine Malick
(Jimmy Akingbola
). Penny is furious - more so when Oliver confesses that he failed his final medical exam and switched his paper with hers. She takes annual leave, and tells Oliver to admit that he is not a qualified doctor to director of surgery Henrik Hanssen
(Guy Henry), or she will. Upon returning from leave, Penny is called to the scene of a major train accident. She attempts to save a passenger from beneath a carriage, but it collapses on top of her, killing her instantly. After identifying Penny's body, Oliver confesses his cheating to Malick. Malick stops him from telling Hanssen, stating that Oliver is a good doctor and that he will overlook his confession.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
medical drama
Medical drama
A medical drama is a television program, in which events center upon a hospital, an ambulance staff, or any medical environment.In the United States, most medical episodes are one hour long and, more often than not, are set in a hospital. Most current medical Dramatic programming go beyond the...
television series Holby City
Holby City
Holby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999...
, portrayed by actress Emma Catherwood
Emma Catherwood
Emma Catherwood is a Welsh actress and former model best known for her role as Jo in My Kingdom and for her role in Holby City. Catherwood studied the Meisner technique in London, and has degrees in English literature and Art History.Catherwood began her career with Models 1, where she modelled...
. She appeared from 2009-11, in the programme's eleventh to thirteenth series
Holby City (series 13)
The thirteenth series of the British medical drama television series Holby City began airing in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 October 2010, and ran for 52 episodes, concluding on 11 October 2011.-Episodes:...
. Penny was introduced alongside her younger brother, Oliver
Oliver Valentine
Oliver Valentine is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, played by actor James Anderson. He first appeared in the eleventh series episode "Proceed With Caution", broadcast on 9 June 2009. Oliver was introduced alongside his older sister, Penny , as a Foundation...
(James Anderson
James Anderson (actor)
James Anderson is a British actor.After graduating with first class honours from Warwick University, Anderson trained at the Actors' Studio in New York City. He has since had roles for TV, the stage and independent film...
), as a Foundation House Officer 1
Foundation Programme
The Foundation Programme is a two-year structured programme of workplace-based learning for junior doctors that forms a bridge between medical school and specialty/GP training. The programme aims to provide a safe, well-supervised environment for doctors to put into practice what they learned in...
(F1) on surgical rotation at Holby City Hospital. She eventually progressed to F2 level, before being killed off in the aftermath of a train crash; her death occurring off-screen.
Creation
Penny and her brother Oliver were created as F1 doctors, arriving in Holby City during its eleventh series. Executive producer Tony McHaleTony McHale
Tony McHale is a British actor, writer and director who has the dubious honour of being best known as a "stooge" to Jeremy Beadle on Game For A Laugh and later, Beadle's About. He trained at Rose Bruford College. He also enjoyed a long stint as a writer/director on the top rated BBC1 soap opera...
and series producer Diana Kyle announced their arrival in May 2009, with Kyle describing them both as "full of energy and enthusiasm", assessing that they would have an "instant impact on the wards at every level." McHale described them as "a great addition to the gang", explaining that: "They both want to achieve and although one is more naturally gifted than the other, they're both very talented doctors. Work and private lives are bound to collide in their quests to climb their respective career ladders." Actress Emma Catherwood
Emma Catherwood
Emma Catherwood is a Welsh actress and former model best known for her role as Jo in My Kingdom and for her role in Holby City. Catherwood studied the Meisner technique in London, and has degrees in English literature and Art History.Catherwood began her career with Models 1, where she modelled...
was cast in the role of Penny. She observed several bypass operations
Coronary artery bypass surgery
Coronary artery bypass surgery, also coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and colloquially heart bypass or bypass surgery is a surgical procedure performed to relieve angina and reduce the risk of death from coronary artery disease...
as preparation for the role, which she described as a "wonderful experience" which she felt privileged to attend, and also learned how to insert a cannula
Cannula
A cannula or canula is a tube that can be inserted into the body, often for the delivery or removal of fluid or for the gathering of data...
and central line
Central venous catheter
In medicine, a central venous catheter is a catheter placed into a large vein in the neck , chest or groin...
. Catherwood dyed her hair red for the role, believing that the colour suits Penny's "feisty and ambitious" personality.
Personality and relationships
The BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Holby City website describes Penny as "outgoing, playful and stylish", assessing that "she always seems positive", is "determined to learn everything about everything" and that "nothing stands in her way". Catherwood has similarly described Penny as "eager to please [and] ambitious", unwilling to let anything get in the way of her career advancement. She has deemed Penny's relationship with Oliver "one of constant rivalry but ultimately unconditional support", explaining that: "Everything always comes more easily to Oliver than Penny - she has spent her life playing catch up". From her first day at Holby General, Penny is bullied by registrar
Specialist registrar
A Specialist Registrar or SpR is a doctor in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland who is receiving advanced training in a specialist field of medicine in order eventually to become a consultant...
Jac Naylor
Jac Naylor
Jacqueline "Jac" Naylor MBBS MS FRCS FRCSTh is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actress Rosie Marcel. She first appeared in the series eight episode "Bird on a Wire", originally broadcast on 22 November 2005....
(Rosie Marcel
Rosie Marcel
Rosie Marcel is an English actress best known for her role as Jac Naylor, consultant in Holby City.She is the daughter of television director Terry Marcel and sister of writer and actress Kelly Marcel.-Career:...
). Catherwood described the clash between the characters as one between "two very strong-willed women", explaining of her character's motivation: ""Although [Penny] doesn't like Jac so much, she has to impress Jac in order to get to where she wants to be."
Catherwood was initially told little about her character's background. She was made aware that Penny is "closed down" to men and relationships, in contrast to Oliver who has frequent affairs, but only had "an inkling" of why that was the case. During the show's twelfth series, Penny falls in love with heart transplant patient Scott James (Joshua Bowman), with Catherwood assessing that Scott "forces her to open her heart". Forced to decide between Scott and her career, Penny chooses love, which Catherwood described as "a huge thing to do". Although Scott ultimately breaks up with Penny on Oliver's advice, Catherwood felt that the development actually made the siblings' relationship stronger, explaining: "You forgive your family for an enormous amount. He's there as soon as she breaks down, he's there to catch her, full of apologies and support. It's just another thing that brothers and sisters go through and support each other through."
Catherwood felt that the storyline would make Penny more driven with regards to her work, assessing that she had formerly been mistaken in being so confident and ambitious. She believed that Penny had been "shaken" by her rejection, which would lead to her becoming more vulnerable both personally and professionally. The actress hoped that Penny would improve at her job in the future, though commented that none of the remaining Holby City characters were a suitable match for her romantically.
Storylines
Penny arrives at Holby General as a Foundation House Officer 1Foundation Programme
The Foundation Programme is a two-year structured programme of workplace-based learning for junior doctors that forms a bridge between medical school and specialty/GP training. The programme aims to provide a safe, well-supervised environment for doctors to put into practice what they learned in...
, alongside her brother Oliver. Registrar Jac Naylor takes an instant dislike to her, and ignores her request to work on the hospital's Acute Assessment Unit
Acute Assessment Unit
An acute assessment unit, or acute admissions unit, is a short-stay department in some hospitals that is sometimes part of the emergency department, although a separate department. The AAU acts as a gateway between a patient's general practitioner, the emergency department, and the wards of the...
, placing her instead on the general surgery
General surgery
General surgery, despite its name, is a surgical specialty that focuses on abdominal organs, e.g., intestines including esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts, and often the thyroid gland . They also deal with diseases involving the skin, breast, soft...
ward, Keller. After making a good impression on cardiothoracic
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of diseases affecting organs inside the thorax —generally treatment of conditions of the heart and lungs .-Cardiac / Thoracic:...
consultant
Consultant (medicine)
In the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and parts of the Commonwealth, consultant is the title of a senior doctor who has completed all of his or her specialist training and been placed on the specialist register in their chosen specialty...
Connie Beauchamp
Connie Beauchamp
Constance "Connie" Beauchamp is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actress Amanda Mealing. She first appeared in the series six episode "In at the Deep End", broadcast on 1 June 2004, and remained in the programme until its thirteenth series, departing in the...
(Amanda Mealing
Amanda Mealing
Amanda Jane Mealing is a British actress best known for playing Connie Beauchamp in the BBC One medical drama series Holby City.-Early life:...
), Penny is transferred to the cardiothoracic surgery ward, Darwin, where she is mentored by consultant surgeon
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
Elliot Hope
Elliot Hope
Elliot Hope OBE is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama television series Holby City, portrayed by actor Paul Bradley. The character first appeared on 8 November 2005 in the episode "More Equal Than Others" - series eight, episode four of the programme. Elliot was introduced as a...
(Paul Bradley
Paul Bradley (actor)
Paul Bradley is an English actor. He is best known for playing Nigel Bates in the BBC1 soap opera EastEnders from 1992 to 1998 and Elliot Hope in the BBC medical drama series Holby City since 2005....
). Penny develops feelings for Scott James, a patient awaiting a heart transplant, and the two begin a relationship. During an unrelated case, Penny convinces a reluctant husband to donate
Organ donation
Organ donation is the donation of biological tissue or an organ of the human body, from a living or dead person to a living recipient in need of a transplantation. Transplantable organs and tissues are removed in a surgical procedure following a determination, based on the donor's medical and...
his deceased wife's organs, unaware that Scott will be the recipient of her heart. When Elliot discovers their relationship and the link between cases, he holds Penny back a surgical rotation and forbids her to see Scott again. Scott announces his intention to move to Spain, and asks Penny to leave with him. Disillusioned with medicine, Penny agrees; however, Oliver convinces Scott that Penny will come to regret abandoning her career, and Scott rescinds his offer, leaving alone.
When Oliver makes a surgical mistake, he attempts to persuade Penny to take the blame for him. He alters the affected patient's records to substitute his name for Penny's, but is caught by registrar Antoine Malick
Antoine Malick
Antoine Malick is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City. He is portrayed by Jimmy Akingbola, and has appeared since the series thirteen episode "Running the Gauntlet", first broadcast on 4 January 2011. A maverick registrar with a volatile temper, Malick was created to...
(Jimmy Akingbola
Jimmy Akingbola
Jimmy Akingbola is a British television, theatre and film actor. Born in 1978 in Plaistow, London to Nigerian parents, he was the youngest of four children...
). Penny is furious - more so when Oliver confesses that he failed his final medical exam and switched his paper with hers. She takes annual leave, and tells Oliver to admit that he is not a qualified doctor to director of surgery Henrik Hanssen
Henrik Hanssen
Henrik Hanssen is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, played by actor Guy Henry. He first appeared in "Shifts", the premiere episode of the programme's thirteenth series, broadcast on 19 October 2010...
(Guy Henry), or she will. Upon returning from leave, Penny is called to the scene of a major train accident. She attempts to save a passenger from beneath a carriage, but it collapses on top of her, killing her instantly. After identifying Penny's body, Oliver confesses his cheating to Malick. Malick stops him from telling Hanssen, stating that Oliver is a good doctor and that he will overlook his confession.
External links
- Penny Valentine at BBC Programmes