Holby City Xavier scrubs in!
MEET MARCUS GRIFFITHS – THE MAN PLAYING HOLBY ’S HOT NEW MEDIC…
Nothing sets our pulses racing quite like a dishy new doctor on the wards of Holby City – so trust us when we say the hospital drama is well worth a watch this week, as handsome registrar Xavier Duval scrubs in for the first time. But will he be a hit with his colleagues following a controversial debut? Newcomer Marcus Griffiths lifts the lid…
Welcome to Holby, Marcus! How are you settling in?
It’s going really great! Most of my previous work had been in theatre, and I’d only done a little bit of television before this – so joining a longrunning show like Holby definitely feels like new terrain. I’m loving it so far.
What can you tell us about Xavier? He strikes us as a cool customer…
Ha ha, yes, but there are many sides to him. I guess from the outset, he comes across as very confident and charming, but he’s also a bit of an alpha male – and that rubs some people up the wrong way. He certainly has a very fractious relationship with Nicky to begin with – and there are some tense moments with Serena and Donna as well.
Is he a bloke that you could be friends with in real life?
I think the jury is still out for me on that one! Xav has qualities that I admire in that he is very ambitious and driven, which are traits that I think we both share. But I feel I have a bit more empathy than he does. He’s a ‘Marmite’ character who viewers are either going to love or hate – but as the story progresses, you’ll see why he behaves the way he does. There is a more generous side to him that is revealed over time, and there are things that he is definitely keeping close to his chest in his personal life that we’ll learn in due course as well…
Intriguing! So why do he and Nicky get off on the wrong foot?
They meet in Albie’s bar while she and Meena are on a night out together. Xav initially catches Meena’s eye, but then he and Nicky end up on an alcoholfuelled journey which ends with her passing out in an on-call room at the hospital! She can’t remember anything the next day, and is trying her best to piece together her memories of the night. Because Xavier enjoys winding people up, he doesn’t necessarily help her fill in the blanks – and it sets the tone of their relationship.
Are you making a better impression on your Holby colleagues than Xav is?
Well, Belinda [Owusu, who plays Nicky] and Salma [Hoque, aka Meena] often have their lunch in my dressing room – as apparently, I’m one of very few people to have a microwave. This has been an issue of contention because they’re always in there heating up their food – but it’s been a great way to make friends! Everyone I’ve worked with so far has been helpful and welcoming.
Are your family and friends excited that you’re going to be in Holby?
My nan is a big fan of the show so she’ll definitely be tuning in, and my
Xavier is an alpha male – he rubs people up the wrong way