Back on the Holby wards
Holby City actress Camilla Arfwedson, aka Dr Zosia March chats about her return to the hospital soap, a busy sabbatical and new challenges ahead
After an 18-month break, actress Camilla Arfwedson is back on Holby
City as feisty
Dr Zosia March. But Camilla reveals she’s made the most of her time away from the fictional hospital. As well as starring in the film version of the novel The
Little Stranger, she also tied the knot with her long-term partner, Call the Midwife’s Jack Hawkins.
“I had been in Holby for four years and wanted to have a break and try something else,” she says as she takes time out from filming to chat. “What has been lovely is I got to take on some different roles, I went travelling and I got married!“
Camilla reveals that the wedding to Jack, who played dentist Christopher Dockerill in Call The Midwife, was a low-key affair. “We did it quite quickly and it was crazy but lovely,” she says.
‘I’d been in Holby for four years and wanted to have a break but it has been brilliant being back’
But while in real life she is incredibly happy and content, the same cannot be said of her character Zosia, who returned with the bombshell news that she’s pregnant, with a dashing young American in hot pursuit!
It is an explosive storyline that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats but one that will come to a dramatic finale.
Camilla says: “Everyone wants to know who this young American is who has travelled across the world to see her. They think she has had an affair and it’s his child. But you also know she is back in touch with her ex-husband, Ollie. It’s going to be a guessing game for a good few weeks as to who the father is. Who could say no to that storyline? It’s been brilliant to do and I love being back. I have had so much fun.”
So wouldn’t she like to stay on for a longer period? She is only back for a few months. Camilla reveals one of the reasons why she and Jack didn’t have a long engagement is because they are actually planning to move over to the States later this year.
“Jack and I have got things on in America so we might move there for a bit. It’s exciting and hopefully it will work out. Newly married, travel a bit… we both would love that and
to work there.”
As someone who wears her heart very much on her sleeve, Camilla is refreshingly honest when it comes to the kind of roles offered to actresses in their late 30s. They are, she reveals, much better in the States – and it’s another factor as to why she’s flying the nest. “When you are in your late 30s, there’s better material out there,” she says. “There is so much more stuff. I love the American accent and there is a lot more opportunity out there with comedy and legal dramas.”
Camilla does, however, admit that playing a pregnant woman in Holby did make her start to think about whether she would like to be a mum in real life.
Ask whether she feels broody filming the storyline and she replies: “You know I did actually. I can’t imagine what it is like but I have had lots of friends, and my sister, who have had babies. Having just got married as well, it has definitely triggered something.”