Connie Beauchamp
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This television-related article or section describes an aspect of the series in a primarily in-universe style. Please rewrite this article or section to explain the fiction more clearly and provide non-fictional perspective. |
| Connie Beauchamp | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| First appearance | 6x35, "In at the Deep End", 2004 – |
| Portrayed by | Amanda Mealing |
| Information | |
| Occupation | Clinical Lead & Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon , Darwin |
| Family | Billy Chase (father) |
| Spouse(s) | Michael Beauchamp (divorced) |
| Children | Grace Beauchamp |
Constance[1] "Connie" Beauchamp (née Chase) is the name of a fictional character in the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actress Amanda Mealing.[2] Her first appearance in the show was on 1 June 2004 in episode "In at the Deep End" - Series 6, Episode 35 of the programme.[3] Her role in the show is that of authoritarian leader figure, which has seen her the centre of numerous storylines, during which she has made the transition from maneater to mother.
[edit] Storylines
Connie arrives at Holby City in episode "In at the Deep End". On her first day, she seduces colleague Ric Griffin, before revealing herself to be his new boss. Quick to clash with her registrar Will Curtis, Connie sets about on a systematic campaign of belittling and berating him, seemingly taking particular offence at the discovery he is a Lord (albeit by courtesy). This soon develops into tormenting him on a more personal level, for instance ordering him to go for a drink with her instead of disciplining him in the episode "Letting Go". The tension between the pair grows with time, culminating in the episode "Thicker Than Water" when they share a passionate kiss at Ric's 50th birthday party.
During the course of her first year, Connie makes a number of enemies, including colleague Zubin Khan. Singularly unimpressed with Connie's leadership skills, Zubin is one of few ever to directly challenge her, at one point comparing her managerial ability to 'an eight year old with a Kalashnikov.' Connie also causes unrest amongst the staff by bedding colleague Mubbs Hussein, despite the fact he is at the time attempting to conceive a child with fellow staff member Rosie Sattar. Connie also finds herself the subject of a lesbian crush, having caught the attention of the midwife she is mentoring, Mickie Hendrie.
A turning point for Connie's character comes in episode "A Shock To The Heart", when she battles to save Will's life after he is impaled on scaffolding. As Will recovers in ICU, Connie confesses to Zubin that she had only ever been so hard on him to push him to be the best he could be. Despite Connie's best efforts, Will loses his fight for life, and as Connie calls his wife to break the news, she is seen to break into tears for the first time.
Following Will's death, Connie finds her position within the hospital increasingly challenged. An emergency Board meeting is called in episode "It's Kinda Rock and Roll" with the intention of forcing Connie's resignation. However, the meeting ends up being chaired by Connie's own husband, Michael Beauchamp. Between them, Michael and Connie manipulate the situation so that Connie is able to keep her job, and the hospital's Chief Executive who had put forth the motion against her is forced to resign.
In episode "Doing The Right Thing", however, Connie uncovers evidence that Michael has committed fraud, and unwittingly spread the VRSA virus through the hospital, resulting in the death of a patient. Michael is subsequently arrested and jailed for manslaughter. Although Michael is released from prison after serving just ten months, Connie declines to move abroad with him, effectively terminating their relationship permanently.
Several months later, it emerges that, following a brief fling with her registrar Sam Strachan, Connie is now carrying his child. Connie gives birth to their premature daughter, Grace, in episode "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror" – going into labour after shocking herself with defibrillator paddles whilst operating on Lola Griffin. Sam is not allowed to attend the birth, and is kept distant from his daughter during her first few weeks of life. However, with time Connie gradually begins to soften toward him and allow him more access.
In a visit to Peckham, from where she originates, Connie discovers that her now-deceased mother suffered from depression during Connie's youth, a fact which her father had kept hidden from her. It is revealed that after her mother's death in 1995, she became estranged from her father for a period of twelve years. The pair reunite temporarily though, when Connie reveals he has a granddaughter.
In Series 10 of the show, Connie takes a sabbatical to carry out research in Hamburg. When she returns to Holby, she alienates herself from her staff with her insensitive approach to the aftermath of the crossbow attack which occurred while she was absent. In episode "We Serve All Who Come To Us", Connie ignores several calls from her temporary nanny in favour of performing pioneering surgery. As she leaves the hospital later that evening, she is shocked to be met by the nanny, who informs her Grace has fallen down the stairs and is badly injured.
[edit] References
- ^
“ Remove the sword from the heart. Keep pressure on the Aorta, William
Thank you, Constance. Anything else you'd like to have a go at me about in front of our colleagues?” —6x50, "A Knight's Tale", 28 September 2004
- ^ "BBC - Holby City - Characters", BBC.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-08-09.
- ^ "Episode Update Tuesday 1st June", BBC.co.uk, 1 June 2004. Retrieved on 2007-08-29.
[edit] External links
|
|||||||||||||||||
