Linden Cullen

Infobox character
colour = #d6d6ff
series = "Holby City"


name = Linden Cullen
portrayer = Duncan Pow
creator = Tony McHale
first = 10x14, "Stolen", 15 January 2008
occupation = Surgical Consultant
lbl21 = Ward
data21 = Surgical Admissions Unit
spouse = Olivia Rose Cullen
children = Holly

Linden Cullen is a fictional character in the BBC medical drama "Holby City", portrayed by actor Duncan Pow.cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/holbycity/characters-cast/characters/lindencullen.shtml|title=BBC - Holby City - Characters - Linden Cullen|publisher=BBC.co.uk|accessdate=2007-11-15] The character first appeared on 15 January 2008 in episode "Stolen" - Series 10, Episode 14 of the programme.cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/holbycity/episodes/2008/01/episode20080115.shtml|title=Episode Guide 15 January 2008|publisher=BBC.co.uk|accessdate=2008-03-06] His role in the show is that of talented medical whizz kid, having attained Consultant and Head of Department status at the early age of just 32.

Creation

It was first announced on 6 November 2007 that Duncan Pow had been cast in the role of Linden. In the context of the show, the new character was created as a permanent head of the hospital's Acute Assessment Unit, a position which had been tenuous since the departure of Consultant Abra Durant (Adrian Edmonson).

Development

torylines

Linden arrives at Holby City Hospital in Series 10, Episode 14, "Stolen", surprising staff with the announcement that he is the new head of the Acute Assessment Unit, which is to be transformed into a surgical admissions unit.cite episode |title=Stolen|episodelink=List_of_Holby_City_episodes_%28series_10%29#Series_Ten_.282007.E2.80.932008.29|series=Holby City |serieslink=Holby City |network=BBC | season= 10| number= 14 |airdate= 2008-01-15] Staff nurse Donna Jackson quickly develops a crush on him, but he proves more interested in his work than in dating, much to Donna's chagrin.cite episode |title=The Key Is Fear|episodelink=List_of_Holby_City_episodes_%28series_10%29#Series_Ten_.282007.E2.80.932008.29|series=Holby City |serieslink=Holby City |network=BBC | season= 10| number= 16 |airdate= 2008-01-29] Realising he has upset her, Linden takes Donna on a brief lunch date in episode "Final Cut", but the two prove incompatible, with Donna more interested in discussing handbags and Linden, medicine.cite episode |title=Final Cut|episodelink=List_of_Holby_City_episodes_%28series_10%29#Series_Ten_.282007.E2.80.932008.29|series=Holby City|serieslink=Holby City |network=BBC|season=10|number=17|airdate= 2008-02-05] The character develops a reputation as something of a maverick, irritating both Lola Griffin and Mark Williams by performing surgical procedures in the treatment bay, which is not yet ready for use as a theatre.cite episode |title=The Extra Mile |episodelink=List_of_Holby_City_episodes_%28series_10%29#Series_Ten_.282007.E2.80.932008.29|series=Holby City|serieslink=Holby City |network=BBC|season=10|number=18|airdate= 2008-02-12] Maddy Young is intrigued in episode "On A Mission" by Linden's refusal to treat one specific patient, believing his reticence to stem from his Catholic faith and his assumption the patient has just undergone an abortion, when in fact she had miscarried.cite episode|title=On A Mission|episodelink=List_of_Holby_City_episodes_%28series_10%29#Series_Ten_.282007.E2.80.932008.29|series=Holby City |serieslink=Holby City|network=BBC|season=10|number=20|airdate=2008-02-26] In the next episode, "We Serve All Who Come To Us", Linden visits a confessional to absolve his guilt over refusing to treat the patient, Chloe Baxter.cite episode|title=We Serve All Who Come To Us|episodelink=List_of_Holby_City_episodes_%28series_10%29#Series_Ten_.282007.E2.80.932008.29|series=Holby City |serieslink=Holby City |network=BBC | season= 10| number= 21 |airdate= 2008-03-04] He is relieved when she is later re-admitted, and again uses the treatment room before it is fully ready, to operate on her cancer of the Caecum.cite episode |title=No Cars Go |episodelink=List_of_Holby_City_episodes_%28series_10%29#Series_Ten_.282007.E2.80.932008.29|series=Holby City |serieslink=Holby City |network=BBC | season= 10| number= 22 |airdate= 2008-03-11] However, when Chloe dies in episode "Long Dark Night", he is forced to admit to Maddy that his actions towards her were driven by her strong resemblance to his deceased wife, Olivia. He later visits the confessional again, admitting to having killed his wife.cite episode|title=Long Dark Night|episodelink=List_of_Holby_City_episodes_%28series_10%29#Series_Ten_.282007.E2.80.932008.29|series=Holby City |serieslink=Holby City |network=BBC | season= 10| number= 23 |airdate= 2008-03-12]

In episode "New Lands, New Beginnings", Linden travels to Cape Town, South Africa, with Registrar Joseph Byrne, to track down missing nurse Faye Morton. Although Faye is Joseph's girlfriend, Linden develops feelings for her, and admits in confessional to feeling he has betrayed Olivia. He reveals within the episode that Olivia was killed in a car crash, for which he blames himself. Having had a drink, for the first time he was not the one driving, and so feels responsible for the crash. He initially tells Joseph his daughter Holly was also killed in the accident, though later admits to Faye that she reminds him too much of Olivia and he cannot bear to see her, so she is being raised by Olivia's parents instead of him.cite episode|title=New Lands, New Beginnings|episodelink=List_of_Holby_City_episodes_%28series_10%29#Series_Ten_.282007.E2.80.932008.29|series=Holby City |serieslink=Holby City |network=BBC | season= 10| number= 38 |airdate= 2008-06-23]

In the episode "Only Believe" in July 2008, Linden was suspended after the death of a patient on the operating table having just sent Maddy Young out of the theatre. cite web|last= Kris|first= Green|title= Only Believe|publisher= Digital Spy|date= 2008-07-08|url= |accessdate= 2008-07-09] Linden went home, but then returned after he thought he was needed at the hospital, when he returned he found a Korean (posing as Chinese) woman pregnant with conjoined twins, in need of help.

Reception

The character's good looks have been a focal point of early reviews, with "Holby City" series producer Diana Kyle describing Linden as "dishy...good-looking and sexy".Citation|publication-date=November 2007|title=Ask the BOSS!|periodical=Inside Soap|publication-place=England|pages=41]

References

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/holbycity/characters/profiles/index.shtml?content/_linden/page1 Character page at BBC's Holby City Homepage]
* [http://www.holby.tv/db/index.php?id=56,2088,0,0,1,0 Profile at Holby.tv database]