THE EFFECTS OF LYING Trailer (2024) Laila Rouass

THE EFFECTS OF LYING Trailer (2024) Laila Rouass

THE EFFECTS OF LYING Trailer (2024) Laila Rouass, Ace Bhatti
© 2025 - Freestyle Digital Media

ComingSoon is excited to debut an exclusive The Effects of Lying trailer for the forthcoming comedy-drama. The film centers on a British-Asian family whose issues suddenly start to unravel throughout the course of one day. This comes after Freestyle Digital Media acquired the movie’s North American VOD distribution rights.

“The film follows a dutiful husband and loving father, Naveen, whose life falls apart over a series of shocking events taking place over the course of just one day. Decades of festering secrets are finally exposed, and Naveen is forced to face up to some home truths,” reads the official synopsis. “Naveen has lived his life by the book; he’s a loyal husband and loving father. He’s sacrificed everything for his family, but today is going to be different. After finding his teenage daughter Simran secretly gorging and his dissatisfied wife Sangeeta in bed with his brother, lies come pouring out and the truth is uncovered.”

Check out the exclusive The Effects of Lying trailer below (watch more trailers):

When is The Effects of Lying release date?
The Effects of Lying will be available to rent/own on all North American digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms, as well as on DVD, starting on November 29, 2024. The ensemble cast includes Ace Bhatti (Bohemian Rhapsody), Laila Rouass (Holby City), Navin Chowdhry (The End of the F***ing World), Lauren Patel (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Shaheen Khan (Mogul Mowgli, Bend It Like Beckham), Bhasker Patel (Emmerdale), Adam Bregman (Tolkien, Genius) and Mark Williams (the Harry Potter film series).

The film is directed by Isher Sahota and is based on a screenplay written by James Hey. It is produced by Jon Tarcy, with Ash Verma and Elliot Grove serving as executive producers. The film hails from Freestyle Digital Media and Bonaparte Films.
Laila Rouass
Born Laila Abdesselam
22 June 1971 (age 53)
Stepney, London, England
Years active 1999–present
Television Family Affairs
Footballers' Wives
Primeval
Strictly Come Dancing
Spooks
Holby City
The Sarah Jane Adventures
Loose Women
EastEnders
Spouse Abselam Rouass
​
​(m. 1990; div. 2003)​
Partner(s) Nasir Khan (2005–2008)
James Petrie (2010–2011)
Ronnie O'Sullivan (2012–present)
Children 1
Laila Rouass (née Abdesselam; born 22 June 1971) is a British actress. She is best known for her portrayals of Amber Gates in Footballers' Wives (2004–2006) and Sahira Shah in Holby City (2011–2012, 2021). She has also starred in Primeval and Spooks and been a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, in which she finished fourth.

Early life
Laila Abdesselam was born on 22 June 1971 to an Indian mother and a Moroccan father, she grew up with six siblings in Tower Hamlets in the East End of London.[1][2][3] She was raised Muslim but is now non-practising, although she calls the Islamic faith an important part of her identity.[1]

Career
Rouass worked as a VJ on Channel V in India in the 1990s.[4] While on Channel V, she appeared in a music video for the band Colour Blind, directed by the then creative head of the channel, Shamin Desai.[5]

After moving back to the UK, Rouass became famous for playing the role of Bollywood actress Amber Gates in the cult ITV1 series Footballers' Wives between 2004 and 2006 and, albeit briefly, in the ITV2 spin-off series Footballers' Wives: Extra Time. She also played recurring roles in the British soaps Family Affairs and Hollyoaks,[6] as well as appearing in episodes of I Dream, Casualty and Meet the Magoons. She starred alongside Meera Syal in the television adaptation of Syal's novel Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee.

Rouass was ranked No.87 and No.69 on FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2004 and FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005 respectively.

In 2009 she appeared as Egyptologist Sarah Page in the third series of the ITV science-fiction series Primeval. She left the show when the location of filming was changed to Dublin for series four and five, saying it would be hard to continue participating, for she was a single parent;[7] and her character was subsequently killed off-screen between the third and fourth series.

In spring of 2010, Rouass announced that she would be making a film about Leila Khaled, who led the hijacking of a flight from Rome to Athens in 1969. Rouass stated she had funding for the film.[8]

She played Maya Lahan, a regular character introduced in the ninth series of BBC One drama Spooks which broadcast from September 2010.[9] She guest starred as the evil Colonel Karim in The Sarah Jane Adventures in October 2010.[10] Rouass then joined the cast of the BBC medical drama Holby City, appearing from February 2011 as registrar Sahira Shah.[11] She left Holby City on 17 April 2012, after just 14 months on the show, to take a break to spend time with her family. She returned to the role of Sahira Shah on 9 February 2021.

In 2014 She Appeared In Midsomer Murders as Stephanie King in The Flying Club & then return again as Vanessa Debouverie in 2022 episode A Grain of Truth

She is also currently one of the presenters of "The Channel 4 TV Book Club". [12]

In July 2024, it was announced that Rouass would be joining the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Ayesha Siddhu, a woman from Suki Panesar's past.[13]

Strictly Come Dancing
She participated in the seventh series of Strictly Come Dancing, a BBC One reality show, paired with professional dancer Anton Du Beke, and alongside Footballers' Wives co-star Zöe Lucker.[14]

The pair made it to the last four before being voted off the show on 6 December 2009. She was unable to participate in the final on 19 December 2009 to reprise her partnership with Anton Du Beke due to a last-minute personal emergency.[15]

Film career
Rouass' first film was City of Dreams produced by Feroze Nadiawala, in which she starred opposite Lisa Ray and Saeed Jaffrey.[6][16] During the years that she was based in India, early in her career, she acted in some Indian films, Aditya Bhattacharya's Indo-Italian Senso unico (1999) and Dev Benegal's Split Wide Open (1999).

In 2000, Rouass starred in Jag Mhundra's controversial film, Bawandar (English title; The Sand Storm),[17] about revenge rapes in Rajasthan,[18] and she made her English-language film debut in 2002 with a small role in The Four Feathers opposite Heath Ledger.[6]

She starred in The Hunt Feast (2004),[19] and in 2006 she was cast in Aditya Raj Kapoor's film Don't Stop Dreaming.[20]

Rouass also appeared in the independent British film Shoot on Sight (2007) opposite Brian Cox, Om Puri and Sadie Frost. In 2008, she appeared in two films, Freebird and the New Zealand funded Apron Strings.[21]

Rouass appeared in the Harlan Coben Netflix original 8 part mini-series Safe where she played Lauren Marshall.[22]

Personal life
In 1990, she married family friend Abdeslam Rouass, but the couple divorced in 2003 without having consummated their marriage.[23][24] Rouass then lived with London businessman Nasir Khan, with whom she held a commitment ceremony in 2005 before family and friends. She later faced criticism for referring to herself and Khan as a married couple, even though the ceremony had no legal standing.[2] She gave birth to their daughter Inez in February 2007, but ended her relationship with Khan shortly afterwards.[25] In 2011, Khan was sentenced to nine years in prison for his money-laundering role in a £250 million VAT fraud conspiracy.[26]

From 2010 to 2011, Rouass dated celebrity chef James Petrie.[1] In 2012, she began dating professional snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan, to whom she became engaged in February 2013.[27] Rouass and O'Sullivan appeared together as guests on BBC's Saturday Kitchen in February 2021.[28] In February 2022, Rouass announced on social media that the couple had ended their relationship,[29] but they subsequently reconciled.[30] She features in the 2023 documentary about his playing career, Ronnie O'Sullivan: The Edge of Everything.[31]

In August 2017, Rouass was caught up in the Barcelona terrorist attack, writing on Twitter during the incident that she was hiding in a restaurant freezer.[32]

Filmography
Film performances
Year Title Role Notes
1999 Senso unico Yasmine
Split Wide Open Nandita
2000 Bawandar Amy
2002 The Four Feathers Maya
2003 Two Minutes Sonita Short film
2007 Shoot on Sight Ruby Kaur
A Cheat in the Park Laila Short film
2008 Apron Strings Anita
Freebird Lucinda
2011 Conan the Barbarian Fialla, Conan's Mother
Television performances
Year Title Role Notes
2001 Family Affairs Tanya Ayuba 2 episodes
2002 Comedy Lab The Unbelievably Beautiful Woman Episode: "Meet the Magoons"
Casualty Mandy Kellaway Episode: "You're Going Home in the Back of an Ambulance"
2003 Hollyoaks Dale Jackson 35 episodes
2004 I Dream Lollie Das Episode: "Toone in Love"
2004–2006 Footballers' Wives Amber Gates 22 episodes
2005 Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee Tania Mini-series, 3 episodes
Footballers' Wives: Extra Time Amber Gates 3 episodes
Meet the Magoons Anita Episode: "Stairway to Havan"
2006 Casualty Gina Marshall Episode: "All Through the Night"
2009 Primeval Sarah Page Main cast. Series 3, 10 episodes
2010 The Sarah Jane Adventures Colonel Tia Karim 2 episodes: "Death of the Doctor: Parts One & Two"
Spooks Maya Lahan 7 episodes
2011–2012, 2021 Holby City Sahira Shah Main cast, 60 episodes
2011 Sadie J Maddy Episode: "Robobootylicious"
2014 Midsomer Murders Stephanie King Episode: "The Flying Club"
2015–2016 The Royals Rani, Deputy Prime Minister 5 episodes
2016 Stella Maria 8 episodes
The Lodge Olivia 4 episodes
2018 Safe Lauren Marshall Mini-series, 5 episodes
Age Before Beauty Shameem Shah 3 episodes
2022 Traces Azra McKinven 6 episodes
Midsomer Murders Vanessa Debouverie Episode: "A Grain of Truth"
2023 The Effects of Lying Sangeeta Television film
London Kills DI Yasmin Rafiq 2 episodes: "Wake-up Call" and "Vandetta"
2024 Tell Me Everything Samira Series 2, Episode 2
EastEnders Ayesha Siddhu Guest appearance[33]
Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2003 The British Soap Awards Sexiest Female Hollyoaks Nominated [34]
2012 17th National Television Awards Drama Performance: Female Holby City Nominated [35]
References
Lubin, Rhian (28 September 2016). "Laila Roauss opens up on life with Ronnie O'Sullivan". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
"Rouass hits back at fake marriage claim". 1 October 2009. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
"BBC One - Strictly Come Dancing, Series 7, Laila Rouass - launch interview". BBC. 29 September 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
"The Language of Fashion". Outlook. India: The Outlook Group. 19 June 1996. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
Joshi, Namrata (24 April 2000). "Givin' It A Good Shot". Outlook. India: The Outlook Group. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
"Hollyoaks – Laila Rouass". Channel 4. 7 March 2003. Archived from the original on 14 July 2007. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
Kilkelly, Daniel (12 May 2010). "Laila Rouass explains 'Primeval' exit". Digital Spy. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
Walker, Tim (10 March 2010). "Footballers' Wives star Laila Rouass films life of terrorist Leila Khaled". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 13 March 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
Wightman, Catriona (16 September 2010). "'Spooks' – Meet The Newbies: Laila Rouass". Digital Spy. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
"The Sarah Jane Adventures – Death of the Doctor". BBC. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
Kilkelly, Daniel (7 November 2010). "Laila Rouass joins 'Holby City'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
The TV Book Club – Presenters – Laila Rouass – Channel 4
"Laila Rouass makes EastEnders guest appearance". BBC. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
Conlan, Tara (5 October 2009). "Strictly Come Dancing: BBC receives scores of complaints over racist remark". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
Conlan, Tara (13 February 2022). "Laila Rouass on the Graham Norton Radio Show". The Graham Norton Radio Show. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
Sehgal, Nutan (23 August 2001). "Wisecracking their way to Bollywood". The Tribune. Chandigarh, India: The Tribune Trust. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
"Sandstorm". Film.com. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
Marks, Loma-Ann (16 July 2008). "Laila Rouass". Open. Open Magazine Ltd. Archived from the original on 7 November 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
"Hunt Feast shooting in Syria with Iraq theme". FilmFestivals.com. 2004. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
"Suniel Shetty's films incl. new projects – in chronological order". kabir-bedi.com. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
"Laila Rouass". Channel 4. 17 December 2010. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
Knight, Lewis (6 June 2018). "Cast of Netflix's Safe: Your guide to the mystery drama starring Michael C. Hall". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
Wilson, Andy (6 February 2021). "Ronnie O'Sullivan wife: Is the snooker star married to actress Laila Rouass?". Daily Express. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
People (6 September 2008). "TV Laila boots out cheating hubby". mirror. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
Buxton, Olivia (24 March 2012). "I had to quit Holby, I was missing my daughter grow up: Laila Rouass says you can't have it all". mirror. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
"Gang of 15 jailed for £250m VAT fraud". BBC News. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
"Snooker star Ronnie rockets to happiness after proposing to Laila Rouass". Hello. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
"Programmes". BBC Food. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
Kent, Sara-Aisha; Knox, Susan (16 February 2022). "Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan and Laila Rouass split after 10 years together". mirror. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
Scheer, Victoria (13 May 2022). "Laila Rouass shares how she got back together with Ronnie O'Sullivan". mirror. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
Munro, Lucretia (21 November 2023). "Actress Laila Rouass shares 'soul destroying' times with Ronnie O'Sullivan". The Mirror. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
"Strictly Come Dancing and Holby City's Laila Rouass caught up in Barcelona attack – BBC Newsbeat". BBC Newsbeat. 18 August 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
"Laila Rouass makes EastEnders guest appearance". BBC. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
"The British Soap Awards 2003". Celebrities Worldwide. 10 May 2003. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
Wrightman, Catriona (27 September 2011). "National Television Awards 2012: The nominees". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 30 January 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
External links
Laila Rouass at the British Film Institute[better source needed]
Laila Rouass at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata
International
ISNIVIAFWorldCat
National
GermanyUnited States
Categories: English film actressesEnglish people of Indian descentEnglish people of Moroccan descentEnglish television actressesLiving peopleActresses from LondonEnglish expatriates in IndiaActresses in Hindi cinemaBritish expatriate actresses in IndiaEuropean actresses in IndiaEnglish soap opera actressesEnglish Muslims21st-century English actresses1971 birthsActors from the London Borough of Tower HamletsPeople from Stepney
Safe

Also known as Harlan Coben's Safe
Genre Drama
Thriller
Created by Harlan Coben
Written by
Danny Brocklehurst
Mick Ford
Alex Ganley
Karla Crome
Starring
Michael C. Hall
Amanda Abbington
Marc Warren
Audrey Fleurot
Hannah Arterton
Nigel Lindsay
Laila Rouass
Joplin Sibtain
Milo Twomey
Emmett J. Scanlan
Amy James-Kelly
Amy-Leigh Hickman
Freddie Thorp
Hero Fiennes Tiffin
Louis Greatorex
Music by Ben Onono
Opening theme "Glitter & Gold" by Barns Courtney
Country of origin France
United Kingdom
Original language English / French
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 8
Production
Executive producers
Michael C. Hall
Nicola Shindler
Harlan Coben
Danny Brocklehurst
Richard Fee
Running time 41–47 minutes
Production company Red Production Company
Original release
Network C8 (France)
Netflix (international)
Release 10 May 2018
Safe (titled onscreen as Harlan Coben's Safe) is a British drama thriller television miniseries[1] created by crime author Harlan Coben and written primarily by screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst. Set in England, the series is a production by Canal+, with C8 airing the show in France, and Netflix streaming the show internationally outside France.[2] The series began filming in Manchester, Liverpool, and Cheshire in July 2017. It consists of eight episodes that premiered in 190 countries on 10 May 2018.[3][4] The series' theme song is "Glitter and Gold" by Barns Courtney.

Plot
Safe focuses on Briton Tom Delaney (Hall), a paediatric surgeon and widowed father of two teenage daughters. He is struggling to connect with his daughters as they still grieve the loss of his wife from cancer one year prior. After his 16-year-old daughter Jenny goes missing, Tom uncovers a web of secrets as he frantically searches for her.

Cast and characters
Michael C. Hall as Tom Delaney, widower of wife Rachel, surgeon[3]
Amanda Abbington as Sophie Mason, Detective Sergeant partnered to Emma, Tom's girlfriend and neighbour[3]
Marc Warren as Pete Mayfield, Tom's best friend and fellow doctor[5]
Audrey Fleurot as Zoé Chahal, mother of Chris, French teacher accused of impropriety[5]
Hannah Arterton as Emma Castle, Detective Constable relocated from the big city
Nigel Lindsay as Jojo Marshall, Sia's father[5]
Laila Rouass as Lauren Marshall, Sia's mother[5]
Joplin Sibtain as Neil Chahal, Zoé's husband
Milo Twomey as Archie "Bobby" Roberts, owner of a 1980s-themed bar called Heaven
Emmett J. Scanlan as Josh Mason, Sophie's ex-husband who lives in a trailer-camper parked in her driveway[5]
Amy James-Kelly as Jenny Delaney, 16, Tom's elder daughter, girlfriend to Chris
Amy-Leigh Hickman as Sia Marshall, Jenny's drug-dealing classmate
Freddie Thorp as Chris Chahal, Zoé and Neil's son, and Jenny's 19-year-old boyfriend
Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Ioan Fuller, a teenager who may know something about Jenny's disappearance
Louis Greatorex as Henry Mason, Sophie's teenage son
Isabelle Allen as Carrie Delaney, Tom's younger daughter
India Fowler as Ellen Mason, Sophie's daughter
Imogen Gurney as Tilly Chahal, Zoé and Neil's daughter
Darren Kemp as B.O Ben, a tech expert who helps Tom track his daughters GPS
Karen Bryson as Helen Crowthorne, next-door neighbour to the Delaney family
Episodes
No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1 "Episode 1" Daniel Nettheim Danny Brocklehurst 10 May 2018
Surgeon Tom Delaney (Michael C. Hall), a widower, has a strained relationship with his elder daughter, Jenny (Amy James-Kelly). A year after the death of her mother Rachel, Jenny sees Tom sneak off for romantic reasons with family friend Sophie Mason (Amanda Abbington), a police D.S., during a neighbourhood picnic. That night, Jenny goes missing after a house party. The next morning, Tom is racked with worry, especially when he learns that Jenny's older boyfriend Chris Chahal (Freddie Thorp) has also disappeared. Chris's mother, French teacher Zoé (Audrey Fleurot), is accused of having an affair with a student after an incriminating USB drive is found in her locker. Sophie butts heads with her new colleague, D.C. Emma Castle (Hannah Arterton), over the case against Zoé. Chris's friend Ioan, who had agreed to lie about Chris's whereabouts, tells Tom that Jenny and Chris attended a party at the house of their friend Sia Marshall (Amy-Leigh Hickman). Tom confronts Sia, but she denies knowing when Jenny left the party. Ioan shares a Facebook feed with Tom, on which Jenny is seen leaving the party with Tom's friend Pete (Marc Warren). Sia's father, Jojo (Nigel Lindsay), is shown checking the freezer in his garage, revealing that Chris's dead body is inside it.
2 "Episode 2" Daniel Nettheim Danny Brocklehurst 10 May 2018
In a flashback to the night of Jenny's disappearance, party hostess Sia makes a horrifying discovery of a dead body floating in the pool and kicks everyone out before they can discover it. Jojo goes to extreme lengths to protect his daughter by hiding Chris's body in the freezer instead of calling police because Sia supplied drugs for the party. Tom fails to contact Pete about Pete having picked up Jenny from the party, so he enlists police assistance from Sophie. Pete is traced through the movements of his car, and reveals that he is more inclined to be interested in Tom than in Jenny and that he simply dropped Jenny back home. Tom searches Jenny's room and discovers that she bought a fake ID online. Using neighbourhood security cameras, Pete and Tom track Jenny's movements after Pete dropped her off, discovering she went to Chris's house, where they find evidence he was planning a train trip. Sophie visits the Marshalls' home, but they hide rather than answer the door; investigating the exterior, her suspicions are raised poolside, prompting the Marshalls to decide to move the body. At the train station, Tom finds Chris's Vespa, and receives a call from his younger daughter reporting that she found photos posted by Chris online showing him with a happy Jenny. However, Tom finds that the dress that Jenny is wearing in the photo still in her wardrobe. A flashback shows the Marshalls using Chris's thumb to unlock his phone and post the photo. Pete and Tom theorise that Jenny and Chris had gone to a bar called Heaven. The bar owner Bobby (Milo Twomey) claims to have never seen Jenny but he is later seen laying flowers at her mother's grave. While attempting to move Chris's body after lying to the police, Jojo and Sia are caught by a neighbour, who Sia hits in the head with a wine bottle in panic.
3 "Episode 3" Julia Ford Mick Ford 10 May 2018
It is revealed Pete actually followed Jenny into the community after dropping her off the night she went missing. Sia and her family are keeping their neighbor Martin hostage but she releases him after threatening to accuse him of being a pedophile should he ever talk. An anonymous tip leads Tom and Pete on a frantic chase across the city, and they learn the tip came from a bouncer at Heaven who overheard Tom's discussion about Jenny with Bobby, and who tells them that Jenny had been at Heaven, alone, looking for Bobby the night before. Tom's younger daughter Carrie is reported missing from school, and he looks for her at his late wife's old office, then an art museum where she took the kids during her illness, and where he finds her. Sophie discovers her son Henry (in need of a kidney transplant and under Tom's medical care) was hiding a blood-soaked shirt in his closet. Zoé, out on bail, makes a list of parents with whom she had disagreements; the list includes the Marshalls, who are visited by Sophie and Emma, interrupting (but not discovering) the family's latest attempt to move Chris's body. Tom and Carrie trace Bobby, learning his name is Archie Roberts, and Tom later discovers he was his late wife Rachel's high-school boyfriend at the school where Zoé teaches. Tom confronts the mysterious 'Bobby' about his lie not recognising Jenny, who is the spitting image of Rachel during high school. Bobby admits realising (from CCTV footage of Jenny's visit to the bar looking for him) that Jenny was Rachel's daughter, and gives Tom a note Jenny left saying she "knows about Jasmine" and would return the next night, but says she did not do so. Emma finds that the photos used to incriminate Zoé were old art photos from the Internet. Tom and Pete follow up on the "Jasmine" clue and learn it refers to a psychiatric institution. Sia and Jojo dispose of Chris's body in a lake, but it floats to the surface after they depart.
4 "Episode 4" Julia Ford Mick Ford 10 May 2018
Sophie and Emma break the news of Chris's death to the Chahal family. When the police learn that the water drowned Chris in had chlorine in it, they visit the Marshalls who call a lawyer and are arrested. Sophie learns that her estranged husband Josh saw Jenny at the train station but obeyed Jenny's request not to tell anyone. Tom and Pete chase down one of the party-goers named Scott; Pete follows him to a drug-buy but is discovered, stabbed, and left for dead. Tom catches up with the gang, finds Pete and begins to give him First Aid. Jenny is revealed to be in hiding in the next-door neighbour's home, where she learns of the discovery of Chris's body; the homeowner, Helen Crowthorne, does not disclose Jenny's whereabouts when Sophie and others in the police detail canvass the neighborhood.
5 "Episode 5" Daniel O'Hara Alex Ganley 10 May 2018
Tom fights to save Pete's life after a brutal stabbing, prompting Emma to confess that Pete is the father she never knew. Scott tells Tom that Jenny was told a secret by Rachel on her deathbed, and that the secret is something Tom should not be told. Sophie warns Tom against interfering in the investigation, and in flashback, we learn Tom was with Sophie when Rachel died. Carrie tells Tom that Helen visited and spoke with Rachel on the night Rachel died. Jojo gives a false confession accepting full guilt for Chris's death; Sia and her mother are released. The neighbourhood holds a vigil for Chris, during which Tom confronts Henry about the bloody sweater he wore during Sia's party. Police unravel Jojo's confession. Tom calls an acqauintance, B.O Ben, and asks him to triangulate his daughter's location using her phone. Ben informs him that her phone signal is locked on to a nearby wifi. Tom goes into Helen's house and discovers a fire has been started inside.
6 "Episode 6" Julia Ford Karla Crome 10 May 2018
Flashbacks reveal that Neil was present near the Marshall residence at the time of the party. In the present, Tom goes through the burning house and finds Helen Crowthorne dead. He tracks Jenny’s phone to the Chahal residence, where he meets with the family after the police begin their inquiries into the fire. Their house is also broken into by an unknown assailant. Neil reveals that he planted the pictures in Zoé’s locker. Autopsy results reveals that Helen was bludgeoned before the fire started. Mike Lloyd-Powell, a friend of Chris, reveals the origins of his altercation with Chris at the night of his death to the police. Jenny’s phone and purse are discovered. Pete is discharged from hospital, and Tom confronts Neil about knowledge of Jenny. Neil reveals that he knew Zoé had an affair with a student, revealed to be Ioan.
7 "Episode 7" Daniel O'Hara Danny Brocklehurst 10 May 2018
Tom speaks to Ioan about the party, and also reveals to him that Neil, Chris’ father, knew about his affair with Zoé. Ioan reveals that he saw Jenny and Henry leave the bathroom together. Tom then attempts to question Henry about the party, but is refused by Sophie. Emma reunites with Pete, and decides to make her own attempt to question Henry. Henry reveals that Jenny suspected that her father was spying on her via her phone, which he helped discover after she raised suspicions. Henry then has a seizure, and is brought to the hospital. Tom and Pete go to Heaven, the bar Jenny visited, to speak to Bobby. Having been refused to see him, Tom sneaks into Bobby’s office before being caught and is advised to stay away. At the bar, they see Eric Pratchett, and track him to Jasmine Hall, a psychiatric hospital Rachel frequented. Pratchett reveals his son, Craig, is being treated there, and that he hasn’t been speaking since the school fire. He also reveals that there were five kids who were behind it: Craig, Bobby, Helen, Rachel and Sophie.
8 "Episode 8" Daniel O'Hara Danny Brocklehurst 10 May 2018
Sophie explains the events of the fire to Tom, and that they moved on by contributing to the community, with Bobby the only one who moved away. Sophie is able to set up a meeting with Bobby, claiming to have the school security tape that had been allegedly destroyed. Flashbacks reveal that Jenny discovered information about the fire in her mother’s diary. She then talked to Helen before being asked to leave, stealing the tape in the process. Jenny also attempted to speak to Bobby, but like her father in the present, was refused. Some time later, Helen tells Bobby at her own doorstep that she wants the truth to come out, prompting him to kill her in a fit of rage. In the present, Sophie and Bobby agree to make Jenny’s death quick, while Tom sneaks in after Sophie had left clues for him to follow. Bobby holds them at gunpoint, before committing suicide. Emma questions Jenny about a pendant found in the Marshall’s swimming pool, which Tom recognises as Sophie’s. He confronts her about killing Chris, which she admits, but stands firm that it was never her intention. Despite their reconciliation, Tom decides to call the police, and Sophie is arrested.
Critical response
Safe has received positive reviews. It has a 71% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on 24 reviews.[6] While British newspapers The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian found Hall's "odd" English accent to be a metaphor of overall peculiarities with the series, they both found many elements of the show to be entertaining. Ed Power wrote in The Daily Telegraph that Harlan Coben "makes every one of his characters feel plausibly sinister and throws in plenty of skilfully crafted cliff-hangers. Netflix's latest can be hackneyed and is written to formula, but the central mystery is assembled with a watchmaker's eye and the entire fandango whirrs by with ruthless efficiency."[7] The Guardian's Sam Wollaston wrote, "What looked at one point like it might be Netflix's Broadchurch – the disappearance of a teenager, a parent's anguish, the effect on a community, the police investigation – soon starts to look more like Desperate Housewives. I'm very much enjoying these people, without really caring about them."[8]

Maureen Ryan of Variety praised the series, writing, "It's a highly watchable, semi-pulpy serial loaded with reveals, clues and cliffhangers, and the core cast is generally quite good."[9] Ben Travers of IndieWire found the series entertaining and graded it a B, writing, "Safe leans into most of its increasingly preposterous moments, including Hall's accent. It's not that the show or its star's elocution are bad, per se; they just don't overwork themselves trying to convince you of their grand importance. Safe is a soap, and it's a fun diversion as such."[10]

Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter, who based his review on the first two episodes sent to critics, criticised Hall's accent and performance, the depiction of teens and other elements of the series as all off-tone. Fienberg wrote, "It could take watching the six additional episodes to know if there's a cliché-upending payoff or if Safe is just a muddle."[11]

References
Jeffery, Morgan (10 May 2018). "Michael C Hall on playing British in new Netflix thriller Safe and being part of two TV game-changers". Digital Spy. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
Clarke, Stewart (11 July 2017). "Netflix, Canal+ Order Harlan Coben Series With 'Dexter' Star Michael C. Hall". Variety. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
Tartaglione, Nancy (11 July 2017). "Michael C Hall To Play It 'Safe' In Netflix, Canal+ Drama From Harlan Coben". Deadline. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
Ryan, Maureen (11 April 2018). "TV Review: Harlan Coben's 'Safe' on Netflix". Variety. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
"Audrey Fleurot, Emmett J Scanlan & Marc Warren join Michael C. Hall and Amanda Abbington in Harlan Coben's 'SAFE' written by Danny Brocklehurst". Netflix Media Center.
"Safe: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
Power, Ed (10 May 2018). "Safe, Netflix review: American take on British crime thriller is less Agatha Christie more Murder She Wrote". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
Wollaston, Sam (11 May 2018). "Safe review – Michael C Hall's odd, synthetic British accent is symptomatic of this Netflix drama". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
Ryan, Maureen (11 April 2018). "TV Review: Harlan Coben's 'Safe' on Netflix". Variety. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
Travers, Ben (11 May 2018). "'Safe' Review: Michael C. Hall's Netflix Murder-Mystery Is Like His British Accent — It'll Win You Over". IndieWire. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
Fienberg, Daniel (3 May 2018). "'Safe': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
External links
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Works by Harlan Coben
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Danny Brocklehurst
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Netflix original ended series (2012–2018)
Categories: French-language television showsAmerican English-language television showsNetflix television dramasCanal+ original programming2018 French television series debuts2018 American television series debuts2018 British television series debuts2010s British crime drama television series2010s British mystery television series2018 French television series endings2018 American television series endings2018 British television series endingsBritish thriller television seriesCrime thriller television seriesSerial drama television seriesTelevision series about dysfunctional familiesTelevision series by Red Production CompanyTelevision series by StudioCanalTelevision shows shot in LiverpoolTelevision shows shot in ManchesterTelevision shows based on works by Harlan CobenTelevision series created by Danny BrocklehurstTelevision series created by Harlan Coben
Jac Naylor
Holby City character
Woman with blonde hair and dark blue scrubs looking directly at the camera with a straight-faced expression
First appearance "Bird on a Wire"
22 November 2005
Last appearance "Episode 1102"
29 March 2022
Created by Richard Stokes
Portrayed by Rosie Marcel
Spinoff(s) HolbyBlue (2008)
Casualty (2016, 2018, 2019)
In-universe information
Occupation
Surgical registrar
Cardiothoracic registrar
Locum consultant general surgeon
Clinical lead, Darwin
Consultant cardiothoracic surgeon
Director of improvement
Significant other
Joseph Byrne
Lord Byrne
Nick Jordan
Oliver Valentine
Sean Dolan
Jonny Maconie
Guy Self
Matteo Rossini
Adrian "Fletch" Fletcher
Kian Madani
Children Emma Naylor-Maconie
Relatives
Paula Burrows (mother)
Jasmine Burrows (half-sister)
Henry Burrows (grandfather)
Jac Naylor is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by Rosie Marcel. She made her first screen appearance during the series eight episode "Bird on a Wire", which was originally broadcast on 22 November 2005. The character is introduced alongside Luke Roberts and Tom Chambers as Joseph Byrne and Sam Strachan, respectively. Jac is characterised as a highly ambitious, forthright surgeon who is career-oriented. Her backstory states that her mother placed her in foster care aged twelve.

Marcel took maternity leave in 2014 and Jac temporarily departs in the seventeenth series episode "Go the Distance", originally broadcast on 14 April 2015, after reuniting with Jonny Maconie (Michael Thomson). Marcel returns for two appearances during her maternity leave, before returning in the eighteenth series episode "A Delicate Truth", originally broadcast on 24 November 2015. Marcel worked with producers to emphasise Jac's bitchy characterisation on her return. After noticing a connection between Marcel and Alex Walkinshaw, Jac was paired with his character, director of nursing Adrian "Fletch" Fletcher, in 2017. Jac was written out in series 22 but made an unannounced return in the following series. Her departure was originally advertised as permanent but Marcel later claimed it was a publicity stunt. In 2021, the BBC cancelled Holby City and producers decided to end the series with Jac's death. They created a terminal brain tumour storyline and portrayed Jac determined to find a cure. Producer Ben Wadey has stated he believed Jac's death was the show's end and thought a miracle cure would have been unrealistic. Jac's death and final scenes occur in the final episode of Holby City, which was broadcast on 29 March 2022. Additionally, Jac has made multiple appearances on Holby City's sister shows, HolbyBlue and Casualty.

Development
Casting and introduction
Prior to her casting, Marcel had appeared in Holby City in an unrelated role, as a drug addict named Elinor.[1] After joining the main cast of Holby City as Jac, Marcel signed a three-year contract with the drama, securing her on the show until 2008.[2] Marcel was introduced to the series alongside Luke Roberts and Tom Chambers, who portray cardiothoracic registrars Joseph Byrne and Sam Strachan, respectively.[3] Jac is introduced during the episode titled "Bird on a Wire", which was broadcast on 22 November 2005.[4] A writer from Inside Soap reported that Jac arrives at the hospital determined to impress consultant Ric Griffin (Hugh Quarshie). She offers to help on a double amputation procedure and insists that Ric will be so impressed he will offer her a permanent role at Holby. Medical trainee Dean West (Paul Henshall) accidentally cuts Ric's hand and this puts him in a bad mood. Jac has to work harder to impress Ric as he insists he no longer needs her help.[4] Following the broadcast of her introductory scenes, Jac returns in January 2006 determined to secure a full-time Surgical Registrar post.[5] In two series twelve episodes, Cydney Dubavin-Hands played a teenage Jac in flashback scenes.[6][7]

Writers soon developed a rivalry between Jac and fellow registrar Diane Lloyd (Patricia Potter).[8] The story sees the pair fight for the role of locum consultant, which Diane goes onto secure.[9] A writer from the Liverpool Echo stated that Jac took credit for work Diane had done. They added "Diane and Jac's working relationship hasn't exactly been an easy one to date, and it doesn't look as if it's going to improve".[10] The pair later argue over patient care. When a paroled murderer is admitted to Darwin ward, they disagree on the cause of his pain. Jac decides to take over the case and orders x-rays to confirm her diagnosis. She goes to see consultant Dan Clifford (Peter Wingfield) and complains about having to work alongside Diane. He sides with Diane and throws Jac's diagnosis in the bin. When Diane realises that Jac was correct about the man's condition she is forced to apologise.[11]

Characterisation
According to the official Holby City website, Jac is "strong-minded" and forthright.[12] Professionally, she is a highly ambitious "political player", determined to become a consultant and attain recognition for her surgical skills. She is willing to hurt others to achieve her goals, and has a "professional façade", developed as a result of pursuing a career in a male-dominated field.[13][1] A BBC Online reporter thought that Jac's "determination to be brilliant might just kill her".[1] Jac demonstrates a willingness to flout rules and endanger patients to advance her own career.[14] Marcel liked Jac's original characterisation of a woman "who would gladly sell her soul to the devil in exchange for a better job".[15] Bob Barrett, who portrays Sacha Levy in the drama, dubbed the character "Ms Darwin" after she is promoted to clinical lead of cardiothoracic ward, Darwin.[16] Outside of work, Jac is "charming and hugely sociable".[12] Placed in foster care by her mother aged twelve, she finds it difficult to form relationships due to an inability to commit and "let herself go".[1] Her experience in foster care made Jac more independent as she believes that she cannot rely on other people. Marcel explained that Jac believes that "no one is ever going to fight for you so you just need to crack on and do it yourself and just get on with it basically!"[17] Barrett was inspired by the exploration of Jac's characterisation and backstory when exploring his own character.[16]

Shortly after joining the cast, producers spoke to Marcel about turning the character of Jac into "a massive bitch", which excited her. The actress explained in June 2018 that Jac's nastier personality combined with the stories written for is the reason she has remained on Holby City.[2] In 2008, Jac had firmly been established as a "rude" and "bitchy" character. Marcel told an Inside Soap reporter that "she's too honest for my liking. There's a fine line between being honest and rude. I'd want to hit her over the head!"[18] Scriptwriter Patrick Homes found it easy to write stories for Jac due to her "defined" characterisation.[19] Marcel reflected on her character's characterisation in 2015, stating that she enjoys how Jac "says the things that people wouldn't normally say, or would at least think about first".[20] Three years later, the actress opined that Jac is more gentle than she was upon her introduction. She hoped that the character would toughen up, but expected her to experience some painful stories first.[2]

Though Jac rarely falls in love, she is not averse to using sexual manipulation to achieve her goals, for example she has had romances with several of her colleagues;[13][1] consultant Nick Jordan (Michael French), who she let "too close and was burned",[13] and foundation doctor Oliver Valentine (James Anderson).[21] Noting this trait, television critic Jim Shelley described Jac as a "man-eating android".[22]

In 2011, writers planned to rejuvenate Jac's nasty persona. Producers created a medical story which leaves Jac conflicted in the face of treating an infant patient. When Jac is introduced to baby Freya who requires heart surgery, she behaves in her usual nasty manner.[23] When Freya's mother abandons her, Jac bonds with the baby. Marcel told Katy Moon from Inside Soap that Jac relates to Freya because her mother also abandoned her. Jac operates on Freya and she nearly dies during the procedure. She said that "Jac's becoming attached" and when Jac saves her life "that's when the real bond develops". Marcel explained that Freya "has a big impact" on Jac and it was the start of a long-running story in which her character changes.[23]

In 2019, Marcel assessed that Jac is still mean but also does "so much good for people" via her job.[24] She explained that Jac has had a "hard life and come out the other side." She added that Jac is a fighter because she carries on through the bad and wanted viewers to be inspired by Jac's driven persona.[24] She later noted that Jac is "a little bit of what we all want to be – a bit more honest and more open".[25]

Relationship with Joseph Byrne
"I think of their relationship as being like a gladiator-style, eternal struggle. It's a force that has defined them. They had a tumultuous relationship, very passionate, despite Joseph's rather 'stiff' approach to things. So they had a great passion, a degree of violence and just a real, deep-seated love. For each other, they are the 'one that got away'."[26]

—Roberts on Jac and Joseph's eternal love. (2019)
Producers paired Jac with fellow registrar Joseph. Jac originally only slept with Joseph in a bid to further her career.[9] She had previously been involved in an affair with Joseph's father Lord Byrne (Ronald Pickup).[13] He later moves on with ward sister Faye Morton (Patsy Kensit), which causes a feud.[27] Jac and Joseph later sleep together and tricks Joseph into believing that she is pregnant with his child. When Faye discovers the truth she breaks-up with him. Kensit said that "he's done the most unforgivable thing".[28] Joseph manages to convince Faye to marry him, but she soon takes a romantic interest in Linden Cullen (Duncan Pow). Jac continues to interfere in Joseph's relationship, becoming wary of Faye and Linden and Kensit stated that Jac had the right to be suspicious.[28]

Jac and Joseph briefly reunited prior to Roberts' departure from the series.[29] Marcel told Inside Soap's Moon that "Jac will always love Joseph." When Roberts left he made Marcel a promise that he would return to the show if she ever chose to leave, so that Jac and Joseph could leave together.[30] Marcel later assessed that Jac gave up on a ready made family with Joseph and Harry.[23] Roberts told Victoria Wilson from What's on TV that Jac and Joseph's relationship was "tumultuous" and "very passionate" despite Joseph's treatment of Jac. He concluded that Jac and Joseph class each other as the "one that got away".[26]

In 2019, Roberts returned to the show for one episode as Joseph. Marcel was surprised that Roberts agreed to return having previously stating that he would only return amid a departure for Jac.[24] Marcel told Laura Jayne-Tyler from Inside Soap that even after ten years, Joseph is still "the love of her life". This is because they parted on good terms and Jac has constantly compared subsequent partners with Joseph. He returns with Faye and Marcel believed that Jac seeing them together again "is one of the most difficult things she has ever had to do."[24] Joseph is at the hospital to support Faye through a heart transplant. Roberts stated that Joseph's heart has always belonged to Jac. He described it as "an eternal love that will never go away." So Joseph is on a "rescue mission" to save Faye, but ultimately "Jac's magnetic pull hasn't weakened" and they end up revisiting old feelings.[31] He later told Sophie Dainty from Digital Spy that "he's so drawn to her – he is almost looking for an excuse. Otherwise, why is he there? He's nervous and it's a collection of emotions. He doesn't know what to do with it."[32]

Assault and murder investigation
In September 2007, writers made Jac the victim of an attempted sexual assault. In the episode titled "Friends Reunited", Alan Clooney (James Weber Brown) is admitted to the Darwin ward following a car accident. He is instantly attracted to Jac and enjoys receiving medical attention from her. Marcel told Katy Moon from Inside Soap that Jac only gives Alan "professional attention" but he "gets the wrong idea".[33] Jac is preoccupied with another patient Graham Fenton (Ben Jones), whom she recognises from her school days. This aggravates Alan and makes him jealous. When Graham reveals that he now works for a US pharmaceutical company, she forges a romantic interest in him.[33] Marcel explained that Jac used to bully Graham for being overweight and suffering from acne. He is now good looking and successful, and "in Jac's mind, the fact that he works for a pharmaceutical company in America also represents an opportunity for her to further her career."[33] Graham is fooling Jac to enact revenge for the bullying ordeal she inflicted on him. When she meets with him for a date, he kisses her and reveals he is married with children. Marcel said that Graham "just wanted to embarrass her" in public.[33]

Alan witnesses the incident and takes an opportunity to goad Jac. He speaks to her "menacingly" and attacks her until she loses consciousness, then drags her into bushes.[33] Unbeknownst to Jac, registrar Lola Griffin (Sharon D. Clarke) had been watching Alan around Jac and suspected he was a rapist. Lola telephones Jac when she notices Jac and Alan are both missing from the ward. The ring tone rouses Jac into consciousness and she tries to fight of Alan. He tries to sexually assault her but Lola arrives in time and hits Alan with a metal bar. The attack leaves Jac at her "lowest ebb" and Marcel said that her character "is sickened" with Lola because she knew Alan posed a serious threat.[33]

In March 2008, Alan is reintroduced into the show and is later found stabbed to death.[34] This story crossed over into the show's sister series HolbyBlue. The episode focuses on the murder investigation and police interviews conducted with Holby City characters. Jac is arrested on suspicion of murder, having earlier threatened to kill Alan in-front of her colleagues. Marcel told an Inside Soap reporter that Jac "finds it hard" because the evidence suggests she killed him, adding that "she has no credible alibi and her fingerprints are on the murder weapon."[34]

Jac pleads her innocence when she is presented with the evidence. The actress sympathised with Jac because "she fully believes in her abilities as a surgeon and wouldn't jeopardise that."[34] When the police interview Joseph, he does not defend Jac and claims that she is capable of murder. Marcel said that Jac should be shocked by Joseph's statement but "she has a history with him, so he probably believes that she's capable of anything."[34] Marcel told a BBC Online reporter that fans would "love the storyline" because it features "Jac getting her just desserts [sic]".[35] She concluded that "you get to see another side to Jac in this episode – a side that she never shows in Holby City – so that should be really interesting to fans of the show."[35] Marcel had a "fantastic time" working on the HolbyBlue set and liked how different the set worked in comparison to the Holby City one.[34]

Feud with Faye Morton

A feud between Jac and Faye (portrayed by Patsy Kensit, pictured) was established.
Writers developed a feud with ward sister Faye which has dramatic consequences for Jac. She is jealous that Faye has begun a relationship with Joseph.[27] Maeve Quigley from Daily Mirror observed that Faye had become Jac's enemy by February 2008, adding that her "main hobby is scoring points off Faye."[14] When Faye takes time off work for a dentist appointment, Jac becomes suspicious. Faye is actually attending the police exhumation of her ex-husband's dead body.[36] Jac realises that Faye has lied about her whereabouts when she witnesses her with the police.[14] Jac visits vicar Kevin Mathers (Paul Opacic) who reveals that he "can see the good" in her. This prompts Jac to hatch a scheme and creates a new friendly persona.[36] She soon covers for Faye to keep her secret hidden and takes the blame for a small fire ward sister Kyla Tyson (Rakie Ayola) causes.[36]

Jac carries on pretending to be Faye's friend for months until a culmination to the plot aired in June 2008. Faye's stepson Carl Hewson (Fergus O'Donnell) arrives at the hospital demanding money to pay off loan sharks. He blackmails Faye and Jac spots an opportunity to sabotage things. Marcel told Moon that "Jac appears to help Faye out – but being the 'nice' person she is, Jac's looking to trip her up."[27] She convinces Joseph and Faye to not give Carl more money, which results in the loan sharks attacking Carl. He is taken to an operating theatre where Jac fails to save his life. Marcel explained that both Joseph and Faye hold Jac responsible for Carl's death.[27] This makes Jac more determined to expose Faye as a liar. Marcel said that Jac still loves Joseph and wants him back because "in her eyes Faye has stolen him from her."[27] Jac becomes suspicious of secretive Faye as she gets into a taxi. Jac follows the vehicle on her motorcycle and tracks Faye down to a nursing home. Faye's secret son is being cared for in the home and Jac cannot wait to tell Joseph the truth.[27]

Marcel said that Jac is determined to expose Faye and speeds off on her motorbike. Jac's recklessness has severe consequences when she crashes and is hurled from her motorbike.[27] Off-screen Marcel believed that motorbikes are unsafe. She used to ride them but ceased after she had accidents and some of her friends died in separate motorbike crashes.[27] This meant that the scenes required a stunt double to portray the crash scenes. To add realism, Marcel was attached to the back of a moving lorry and filmed to give the impression of her riding the motorbike. Marcel explained that after the stunt double had finished their role, "it's my crumpled body lying on the ground at the end of the episode."[27] The actress concluded that Jac is taken to hospital and it is "touch-and-go whether she'll pull through".[27]

Joseph and Faye separate following her affair with Linden. This leaves Jac and Joseph free to rekindle their romance. Faye gives birth to his child Harry, while detained in a mental health facility. The events force Joseph to break-up with Jac. But when Faye refuses to associate with Joseph, he apologises to Jac and they get back together.[29]

Kensit and Roberts reprised their roles for a single episode in 2019 to coincide with the show's twentieth anniversary.[37] Writers used the unresolved tension between the characters to develop "a playfulness and a real strength and humour" in their portrayal.[37] Kensit observed that the "bitchiness" between the characters is "heightened" in Faye's return, which she liked as she felt it added to the episode.[38] Faye returns in need of a heart transplant and has to be admitted to Holby City Hospital when a rainstorm hits. Kensit said that Faye wants to avoid Jac and the hospital, but it becomes "the only option".[37] On the moment Jac sees Faye again, Marcel commented, "Jac's feisty spirit certainly comes tumbling out!"[37] The pair do not want Jac to perform surgery on Faye, but understand that she is the best in her field, which would give Faye the best chance of survival. When Joseph returns, it emerges that he and Faye are back together. He asks Jac to perform the operation and she agrees.[37] Roberts told Wilson (What's on TV) that Joseph and Jac have "enormous underlying respect for each other as professionals", which means he can recognise her excellence.[26] Marcel explained that Jac feels that she has to agree because Joseph asks. She added that Jac now "can hold that over Faye for a very long time".[37]

Friendship with Sacha Levy
Then-script editor Simon Harper suggested pairing Jac with registrar Sacha Levy (Bob Barrett) following his introduction as the characters have contrasting personalities. On the actors' first day working together, they filmed two more scenes than planned as they were working so quickly. The characters remained paired together for six months.[39] Barrett thought the characters were friends because with Jac, Sacha can "[see] straight through what everyone else struggles with" and understands that Jac has "the greatest heart".[40] Likewise, with Sacha, Jac speaks to him in a different manner to everyone else, and together, they trust each other a lot.[40] Marcel believed that Jac and Sacha should be romantically involved because "they are like yin and yang". She added that it was "a shame" Sacha loved ward sister Chrissie Williams (Tina Hobley) instead.[23] The actress later spoke again of her wish for the pair to be together. She said that they would "make such a hilarious couple" but did not think it would ever happen.[30] Sacha and Chrissie later prepare to marry, but Jac notices that Chrissie is having second thoughts. She warns Chrissie not to hurt Sacha and Hobley explained that Jac believes "if anyone deserves to be happy more than anyone she's ever met, it's Sacha".[41]

Marcel and Barrett formed an idea that Jac and Sacha should live together in an unseen flat with viewers only seeing the characters speaking about home life.[39] In 2018, Sacha is featured in an issue-led story about depression and male mental health. Jac becomes involved in Sacha's rehabilitation process after he tries to kill himself. Barrett dubbed Jac "Sacha's guardian angel" and she is saddened to hear about his battle, but is also "furious" that he did not speak to her or his former partner, Essie Harrison (Kaye Wragg).[40] Jac then comforts Sacha and tells him that he will move into her home. Barrett explained that this would aid Sacha's recovery, but not complete it.[40] In a 2019 story, Jac has to perform emergency surgery on Sacha, but has to fight for theatre space against Connie. Marcel explained that Jac "would have fought to the death for Sacha".[42]

Feud with Sahira Shah
In 2011, producers introduced actress Laila Rouass as registrar Sahira Shah and another sparring partner for Jac. Writers pitted the characters against each other via a story where they compete for the same consultancy role.[30] Sahira is portrayed as a talented and able surgeon who rivals Jac. Marcel explained that Jac's professional feuds had traditionally been against male characters, but Jac now had to face a female who "has it all".[30] Sahira has a husband and children but still manages to excel in her career. This provokes Jac because she will not let "someone like that beat her."[30] Jac believes the only reason she secured a job at Holby City hospital is because she is an old friend of CEO Henrik Hanssen (Guy Henry).[30]

When a patient dies suddenly during an operation carried out by Jac, Sahira helps her find evidence about what has happened.[30] Marcel said that this makes Jac wary because she "fears it's an opportunity for Sahira to stitch her up." Marcel noted that Jac is not opposed to using Sahira for "team work" to achieve "great surgery". They cooperate and discover that the patient had been involved in a suicide pact. She caused a motorbike crash and ingested blood thinning chemicals to sabotage any surgical efforts to save her life.[30]

She told a Daily Mirror journalist that Jac and Sahira have "a tense relationship" filled with "lots of one liners" and is kept is solely work related.[43] Rouass thought that the rivalry never got "too serious" and the "catty comments" gave the story a "fun element".[44] She told a reporter from the Bath Chronicle that "they're both very competitive and focused and both want the same outcome but they do it in different ways and have different approaches to their job." Rouass added that the characters are both "exceptional" at work and actually respect one another.[44] Rouass told Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy that while Jac and Sahira shared a "silent respect" over work, the characters are "completely different". Sahira "kills people with kindness" rather than being sly. She added that Jac makes Sahira feel "threatened".[45]

Jonny Maconie and pregnancy
While attending a people skills course, Jac has a one-night stand with Jonny Maconie (Michael Thomson), who is later introduced to the series as a regular character.[46] Jac is under the impression that Jonny is a neurosurgeon, so she is surprised to learn that he is really a nurse and about to start working at Holby as part of the transplant team.[46] Thompson said Jonny is "like the kryptonite to Jac's super ice maiden."[46] He is not intimidated by Jac and she does not know what to make of him, leading to a "fiery" relationship.[46] Jac and Jonny break up after a few months, but Thomson believed there was unfinished business between them. He explained, "She's messed with his head, and he wants to fix her. He wants to prove to her that it's all right to be warm and love people."[47] Jac and Jonny briefly get back together, however, when Jac learns that her former boyfriend Joseph Byrne is getting married, she initially takes her frustration out on Jonny and later has sex with paediatrician Sean Dolan (Wil Johnson).[48] Jac leaves for Japan to study some new medical techniques,[49] and on her return she tells Jonny that she loves him. Thomson said that the declaration and her show of commitment "blows Jonny's mind and takes their relationship in a new direction."[50]

While performing a preliminary procedure on a patient, Jac experiences some pain and Jonny worries that it could be related to her kidney. Knowing that she donated one to her estranged mother, he is worried that she could be in danger if the remaining one fails.[49] Jac orders some tests, but they come back clear. She is later forced to abandon her patient during surgery, as she is overcome by pain again and has to lie down.[49] Jac meets with her consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Derwood Thompson (Ben Hull), who informs her that she has endometriosis, a condition which greatly reduces her chances of conceiving.[51] Jac keeps her diagnosis from Jonny, knowing that he wants a family, while he surprises her by asking her to move in with him.[51] Thomson pointed out that it was not unusual for Jac to hide something from Jonny, because she had built up many defences over the years when she felt scared.[50] A "bitter row" breaks out between Jac and Jonny over her treatment of Tara Lo (Jing Lusi), who was affected by her brain tumour while assisting Jac during surgery. Jonny disagrees with Jac's decision to ask Tara to leave the theatre, and she ends up slapping him across the face. Jonny then ends their relationship, leaving Jac feeling isolated.[51]

Following Tara's funeral, Jac and Jonny have a one-night stand, but they both tell Mo Effanga (Chizzy Akudolu) separately that they do not plan on getting back together. Jac later learns that she is pregnant with Jonny's baby.[52] When Jonny finds out that Jac told Mo about the baby before him, he confronts Jac, who is overcome with "uncharacteristic" emotion and bursts into tears. Jonny later performs an ultrasound scan on Jac and they get to see their baby for the first time.[53] During Jac's 20-week scan, she and Jonny are informed that their baby has a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, meaning it has a 50% chance of survival after birth. They also told that further tests need to be carried out, before they can talk about their options.[54]

Temporary departure
On 11 August 2014, it was announced that Marcel was pregnant with her first child and that Jac would take a break from Holby City.[55] Jac exits in the seventeenth series episode "Go the Distance", originally broadcast on 14 April 2015, after reuniting with Jonny. Thomson also decided to leave the show to return to theatrical projects.[56] Thomson explained that viewers wished for a "happy ending" for Jac, which happens through her and Jonny's departure.[57] He thought that it was a perfect conclusion to Jac and Jonny's relationship as they establish their family life. The actor added that Jac and Jonny have realised "what they mean to each other".[57] Marcel and Thomson made a guest appearance together in the series 17 episode "Spiral Staircases", originally broadcast on 23 June 2015.[58]

Before Marcel took maternity leave, her co-star, Paul Bradley, decided to leave his role as Elliot Hope. Marcel asked producers to return for his exit episode before she left and producers agreed as they also shared an interest in arranging this.[20][59] A show trailer previewing Jac's appearance was released on 16 September 2015,[60] and the appearance features in the series 17 e