Michael Spence is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actor Hari Dhillon. The character first appeared on 20 November 2007, in the episode "Unfinished Symphony" - episode six of the show's tenth series. Dhillon had previously appeared in the show on a recurring basis in a more minor role, as Dr. Sunil Gupta, between 2001 and 2003. Dhillon took an extended break from the series in 2013 and Michael departs in the episode first broadcast on 17 December 2013. He returned for a month-long stint in 2014 and also appeared in an episode of sister show Casualty. In 2022, Dhillon returned for an episode as part of the show's final series.
Development
Casting The character was initially constructed as a public schoolboy, with less of a "bad boy" persona than he would ultimately exhibit on screen. Actor Hari Dhillon had a chance encounter with a Holby City casting director whilst in London, who suggested to him that he might be right for a part in the show. Dhillon was living in America, but as the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike was ongoing at the time, his then partner Lara had suggested that he move back to London before the impending birth of their child. Dhillon submitted a tape, and the next day was asked if he was interested in the role. Given the circumstances, he has described his casting as a "beautiful stroke of luck". Dhillon had previously appeared in the show as minor character Sunil Gupta for six episodes after leaving drama school. He does not believe that this role contributed to his casting as Michael, but instead worried that it would work against him. In auditioning for Michael, Dhillon used his own accent, rather than the RP accent originally envisioned for the character. He explained that he "put [his] own twist on what [he] thought Michael Spence should be like." Executive producer Tony McHale and series producer Diana Kyle accepted his take on the character, and tailored the role towards his accent. Michael became an Asian character with an Indian/Christian background and the ability to speak Punjabi. Dhillon has stated: "Most producers would have just thrown my tape in the trash, considering that I wasn't able to give them their original vision of the character, but I really admire the way they were willing to build on what I was able to bring to Michael."
Characterisation Describing Michael's personality, the official Holby City website states: "Being a doctor defines Michael. Surgery is his first love, it's the only time he feels true emotion." Dhillon believes that Michael is "a very idiosyncratic character" and "not overly sincere in that 'I'm just trying to save a life' way." He described: "He's very objective about himself - as though he is slightly outside of himself in situations - a slight ironic disposition. Half the time I think he says things just to watch the reaction. He's direct, honest, morally ambiguous, unapologetic. He certainly thinks and behaves outside the normal parameters of behaviour, which is challenging to many characters." Dhillon and Michael share a similar background. Michael grew up in India, moved to America, and now lives in the United Kingdom, while Dhillon grew up in San Francisco, spent nine months in India aged six, and also now lives in the United Kingdom. Explaining the impact of this on Michael's characterisation, Dhillon stated: "I think that type of background has a certain effect on people - I think we both share a slight ironic detachment from the world we are in. Sometimes it feels like you are an objective observer in your own life, like you are on the outside looking in. I don't feel overly identified with a particular country, I feel pretty comfortable in a number of different environments, and I think he does as well." Dhillon feels that Michael has a "self-destructive perverse streak", and believes that his world is limited to his work and family. He commented: "if you took one of those things away, you would cut out half of his personality. There's not much outside of that. He’s very muscular in his medical intellect but his emotional depth, or range, has almost withered. He's learning life's lessons late and in a hard way."
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