Greg Douglas is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, played by actor Edward MacLiam. He first appeared in the series ten episode "Together Alone", broadcast on 17 February 2010. Greg was introduced as a new Cardiothoracic surgical registrar working at the hospital's Darwin ward. Producers created an affiliation with long-standing character Connie Beauchamp (Amanda Mealing) and played a short romance. Greg is characterised as an ambitious, abrasive, rebellious medical professional. He has "Irish charm" and will often use it to his advantage. Greg's fictional backstory detailed him growing up in Dublin, Ireland. MacLiam has said producers wanted a "North Side Dubliner" with a more aggressive persona than other characters to feature in the series. One of the character's initial stories featured him mentoring F2 junior doctor Oliver Valentine (James Anderson). The show developed a "bromance" between the two and they were depicted either arguing or joking their way through scenes. The character's main storyline was centric to fellow Cardiothoracic surgeon Sahira Shah (Laila Rouass). Series producer Myar Craig-Brown placed the pair at the forefront of the show during series thirteen. As they featured so predominately, Craig-Brown achieved her aim in exploring a complex love story. She had been loath to portray a generic soap opera affair story. Sahira's husband and Consultant Anaesthetist, Rafi Raza (Zubin Varla), was introduced and which resulted in the exposing of Greg and Sahira's romance. It culminated in Sahira's departure from the show following Rouass' decision to leave. MacLiam's departure from Holby City followed soon after and on-screen Greg was fired from the hospital for hesitating to resuscitate a patient. The character last appeared in the episode titled "Coercion", which was broadcast on 1 May 2012. The character was generally well received by television critics, with his charming persona being particularly favourable.
Casting MacLiam admired the quality of acting and hard work put into making the show. He also liked the attention to detail during fast-paced filming. He found the role a challenge, especially learning the medical terminology the role required.
Development
Characterisation and introduction Greg is full of Irish charm, and he knows it. He's worked hard to get where he is and believes the world is against him. He naturally rebels against authority but with his cheeky-chappy attitude he normally gets away with it. Greg is originally from Dublin, Ireland and has much "Irish charm" written included in his characterisation. In the character's fictional biography published via BBC Online, Greg is described as being "charming, clever, rebellious". He is flawed as a person due to his "iconoclastic and cynical" personality. He also bears grudges and does not take any criticism. He is rebellious and "thrill-seeking" and wants to delay growing up, instead he opts to enjoy life to the fullest. He holds "a strong moral compass and sense of justice" and supports the "underdog". Other characters are easily charmed by Greg yet prior to his arrival at Holby City hospital no woman had managed to tame him. MacLiam described his character as "quite a charming, abrasive kind of guy, he's very ambitious, he's really looking to get ahead as quick as he can." He said producers wanted Greg to be a "North Side Dubliner", a more aggressive type of character who would not have a "snug fit" in the show. He likened the character to an "iron first in a velvet glove". They also informed MacLiam that he would be played as a "ladies man". The actor wanted to take that characterisation and ensure Greg could "get away" with being a ladies man, who rises to challenges and show off a little, while still doing excellent medical work. When Greg is introduced on-screen he shares a brief romantic bond with Consultant Cardiothoracic surgeon Connie Beauchamp (Amanda Mealing). They had worked alongside each other at the fictional Trafalgar private hospital. MacLiam explained that Greg had been there to assist Connie in her work and their romance developed from this. He added they shared good chemistry in scenes.
Friendship with Oliver Valentine Writers created an on-screen partnership between Greg and F2 junior doctor Oliver Valentine (James Anderson). On-screen Connie appoints Greg as Oliver's new mentor while he trains on the foundation programme. MacLiam told a Daily Post reporter that "it's a good story and a lot happens very quickly, Greg kicks against his newfound responsibility initially." But the registrar soon realises that Oliver could benefit his career and an "unlikely friendship forms". Anderson branded it "a fairly light story" and a "buddy-buddy [relationship] thing in the making." The characters start off on bad terms and they become overly competitive. It is not helpful for patients and Anderson noted the characters have no interest in helping each other. But then they realise that they are quite similar "in terms of dropping people in it"; they form a friendship which the show invested more in. The pair continued to share screen time as they shared cases on the ward. Anderson reinforced the notion that they were "unlikely" friends but always moan at each other. MacLiam believed they had formed a "bromance". The wardrobe department dressed the pair in similar checked shirts to convey their similar characteristics. MacLiam joked that it was paying homage to the film gay themed movie Brokeback Mountain. They sometimes mimic the behaviour of a married couple despite Greg and Oliver only sharing a platonic friendship. Writers placed the pair in yet more conflict when Oliver's actions get Greg into trouble with Connie. The story featured Greg leaving Oliver unsupervised and a patient dying in his care. Rather than conceal the exact circumstances, upon being confronted by Connie, Oliver blames Greg's absence. An angry Greg decides that he must take revenge against Oliver. He sets Oliver up on a date with Harriet Crowley (Karen Hayley), but he is shocked to learn that Harriet is a prostitute. She demands that she be paid for her services and Oliver realises that he has been set up. He then has to earn Greg's friendship back and he forgives him.
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