Essie Harrison

Casting

Wragg's casting was publicised in February 2014. Wragg decided to accept the role because she liked Essie's introduction into the series. The character made her on-screen debut during the series sixteen episode "My Name Is Joe", which was broadcast on 6 May 2014. Wragg was originally employed by the show as a recurring cast member but was later invited back to play the role on a permanent basis. Wragg also appears as Essie in a two-part crossover episode with Holby City's sister show, Casualty, originally broadcast in March 2019.

Development

Characterisation

Gregarious and mischievous, Essie is warm, sparky and rebellious. As a nurse, she navigates the rough waters of a challenged healthcare system, doing everything she can to provide her patients with the best care possible, even if that means breaking the rules (and sometimes especially so – sticking it to sticklers gives her an insubordinate thrill).

Essie is characterised as warm nurse with a rebellious side and is not afraid to challenge the healthcare system. She makes a great friend for other characters and a writer from BBC Online branded her "a rock". She is an independent female with "spontaneous, emboldening and fun" characteristics. Wragg has labelled Essie as having "a big heart" and being "fantastic" at her nursing job. The actress told Hannah Verdier from TV Magazine that she was enjoying playing the character. She explained that "Estelle's brilliant at her job and she's trying to get on with it, but now she's starting to question herself. She seems really sorted and then all these cracks appear, which makes her great to play." Essie is an opinionated character and does not shy away from voicing them in medical scenarios. Holby City writers clearly demonstrate this when she is played getting herself into trouble with hospital management for interfering with a high-profile patient's choice of surgery.

Introduction

Essie is introduced into the show as the granddaughter of sick patient Joe Goodridge (Julian Glover). Wragg was happy that her character's arrival was not linked to nursing. While Joe is being treated on the ward junior doctor Zosia March (Camilla Arfwedson) becomes suspicious of his role in World War II and makes allegations against him. Zosia wants to discover the truth and prevents Joe from signing a form instructing doctors not to revive him. Essie notices the tension between the two but is relieved when Joe is revived. It is then revealed that he is an escaped Nazi war criminal which shocks Essie because she was completely unaware. Wragg told Katy Moon from Inside Soap that Essie and Joe's storyline was unusual and this attracted her to take the role. The story held consequences for Essie as she is forced to deal with the reality of her grandfather's past. Wragg explained "what you find out about Joe is very dramatic, and there are lots of layers for Essie to unravel." Essie was raised by Joe, so she considers him to be her hero and the revelation throws "Essie's world into complete disarray".

Holby City Producer Simon Harper personally decided to create the storyline because he had a European upbringing and studied the Holocaust extensively. He was particularly interested in stories of escaped war criminals and he believed it was inevitable that he would cover the subject during his career. Harper explained to a representative of the Holocaust Educational Trust, that Holby City thrives from stories of character's professional ethics being challenged by their personal demons. He noted that Joe's story worked well against pitted Jewish registrar Sacha Levy (Bob Barrett) having to treat a patient pretending to be "a sweet old man" despite him helping to kill Jews in World War II. The production team was also keen to portray antisemitism in the spotlight. Harper added Kate Verghese, the story producer, pitched the idea of a Jewish doctor being conflicted by a Nazi. Holocaust survivor Kitty Hart-Moxon visited the set to talk to cast and crew of the storyline's importance.

The storyline concluded on-screen as Sacha decided to cancel surgery on Joe because of his Jewish background, despite medical professionals being required to treat all patients equally regardless of their views. Joe's final scenes see Essie and Sacha witness him voicing hateful opinions about the Jewish community. Harper explained that a "final act of repentance" for the character would have been insulting to survivors. Essie is then offered a job at Holby City hospital and she develops a friendship with colleague Sacha. Wragg described their interactions as "lovely" and warned their "spark" could develop into a romance. Rosa Doherty from The Jewish Community said that it was an "unlikely bond" under the circumstances with her grandfather. But they added that the storyline had viewers "gripped" to the show. Essie begins working on the AAU ward. But the newspapers become aware of her situation and run the story. A writer for What's on TV stated that "Essie is plagued with guilt over Josef's past". Sacha decides to take Essie to Wales to escape the negative press attention. Sacha's Jewish mother Esther Levy (Frances Cuka) is furious and orders Sacha to stop seeing Essie.

Relationships

When Wragg finished filming her original stint on Holby City, producers discussed the possibility of a future return. In October 2014, it was announced that Wragg had been asked to return to the show on a permanent basis. Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy reported that Essie would resume her nursing duties at the hospital and her relationship with Sacha. Of her return Wragg stated: "Essie is a such a layered character that I can't wait to see how things unfold once I return. She's a fantastic nurse with a big heart, but a broken life that leaves her unsure of who she is and where she's going. I adore working with Bob Barrett and am very excited to work alongside his big hearted Sacha again, ups and downs regardless. Essie returned to the show during the series seventeen episode titled "Squeeze the Pips" (7 April 2015). Essie's independent nature is sometimes a problem for Sacha because he likes to feel depended upon. Her "slatternly domestic ways" annoy him because it reminds him of his daughters. A BBC Online reporter also revealed that Essie secretly struggles to deal with Sacha's two demanding ex-wives and children.

When she returns Essie reveals that she slept with another man and Sacha no longer wants to be with her. Essie decides to convince Sacha they should be together. Wragg believed that Essie really loves Sacha and she makes him realise that they want the same things out of life, to be "settled and happy". Essie later secures a job as the hospital's new Transplant coordinator. The duo's relationship faces fresh problems when Sacha wants Essie to meet his children. She confides in friend and colleague Dominic Copeland (David Ames) that she is not ready. Essie is convinced that Sacha's Jewish family will not accept her because of her grandfather's past. Barrett told Katy Moon from Inside Soap that Sacha underestimates the situation when he asks her. He also does not consider how his relationship may effect his family. The actor added that Sacha needs to stop being possessive and give Essie some space. Sacha's Wragg told a What's on TV reporter that Essie knows it will be inevitable that Sacha's children will be a part of her life but she is not ready. She is enjoying having Sacha to herself in the early stages of their romance. The actress added "the idea of being the 'stepmum' is a bit frightening for her." Essie tries to make excuses not to see them and Dominic notices her reluctance and makes it more difficult for her to be dishonest. Essie realises she must tell Sacha the truth. Wragg added "Essie realises the situation isn't going to go away. She just wanted to enjoy being in love for a bit longer before the reality of family life kicked in." Essie decides to forget her doubts and go ahead with spending time with Sasha's family.

Hostage situation

In July 2016, Holby City aired a dramatic hostage situation for Essie. The story begins when Essie treats patient Ivor Weiland (Ryan Sampson) on AAU and she gets along well with Ivor's comedic personality. The following week, Ivor is readmitted to hospital and diagnosed with a pseudoaneurysm and sepsis. He is also suffering from effects of drug withdrawal and he bonds with Essie over his drug addiction. Wragg told What's on TV's Wilson that her character "likes to champion the underdog" and those who appear beyond help. One of Essie's personality traits is her ability to recognise people's "inner turmoil" and help them. Wragg believed that Essie "wants to fight their corner because she knows they've probably had a lot of people turn their back on them, so she immediately keeps the doorway open for them to talk." Despite his appearance, Ivor is a "very charismatic" character and Essie finds his comedy "really charming". She added that "she finds him really endearing" and "sees a really vulnerable person, who needs care and attention."

The scenes become sinister when Ivor decides to seek out morphine to treat his addiction. He goes to the hospital pharmacy where he finds pharmacist Mel Watson (Jocelyn Jee Esien), takes her hostage brandishing an infected needle and pleads for drugs. Essie manages to locate Ivor and tries to convince him to let Mel go, but he takes her hostage too. Wragg explained that Essie puts herself in danger because "she's like a dog with a bone" and thought she could help Ivor. Mel suffers an asthma attack but he forbids Essie from helping her colleague. Despite this, Wragg believed Essie was in control and not frightened of Ivor despite his violent threats. The story helped to showcase Essie's backstory as she tries to talk Ivor down and discloses her own past addictions. Wragg explained that "Essie ends up having to divulge details of her personal life to him. We know Essie was a bit wild in her younger years, but it’s revealed she had drug problems; not to the same level as Ivor, but she certainly understands addiction. But where Essie had support, Ivor’s got nobody. So she wants to be the person that helps him." Essie manages to convince Ivor to set them free. As he does Sacha rushes into the room and pushes Ivor onto broken glass and he ruptures his aneurysm. Wragg praised Sampson's performance and spoke her amazement of his change from comedy character to "real ragged monster". The story also served as a catalyst for relationship problems between Essie and Sacha. Wragg concluded that "this incident wakes Essie up to a lot of home truths."

Cancer

Wragg took a three-month break from the series in 2018 and teased on Twitter that Essie's story was "not quite over". The show's producer's decided to write Essie out to protect the character. They felt that if Essie had become too involved in John Gaskell's (Paul McGann) evil story, they would have had to kill her off. Essie returns to the series in July 2018 after spending time with Raf's family in Scotland. Wragg told Sue Crawford of Daily Express that Essie left to "catch up with her life". Essie begins to feel unwell while staying with them. Essie decides to return to London to visit a doctor but tries to avoid Holby City hospital. She ends up being taken there after other hospitals are over capacity. Wragg explained that Essie did not want to see her former colleagues and the move was accidental. Henrik Hanssen (Guy Henry) treats Essie and she is diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Wragg believed that Essie had a "unique relationship" with Henrik, she felt able to confide in him and she wanted him to treat her. He tells Essie that she will need to undergo a hysterectomy to survive. Essie is upset because it is a final confirmation that she will never be able to conceive a child of her own. She added that "at this particular point in her life she’s less afraid of the word cancer and more fearful of losing the chance of becoming a mum." The actress found playing a patient very different; she filmed many scenes in a hospital bed and wanted to sleep after finding it hard to focus.

In 2020, producers decided to revisit Essie's cancer story with the disease returning once again. In addition writers decided to portray another cancer story alongside Essie's, featuring Adrian "Fletch" Fletcher (Alex Walkinshaw). Wragg released a statement regarding the plot stating that "showing the real struggle of two nurses sharing an illness together yet being alone in their own torture of what their futures hold is Holby at its best." She described it as "tough" to watch but believed it would resonate well with cancer sufferers. They go on a journey together and learn "their worst fears" and "lost opportunities" amidst an uncertain future. The show's executive producer Simon Harper said that his team originally thought they could not have two cancer stories running concurrently. They later realised they should because cancer statistically affects many people during their lifetime. He described the story as "two most caring nurses now have to care for each other" in their cancer battle. He also hoped it would raise awareness of cancer and praised Wragg and Walkinshaw's "heart-breaking performances". Essie's cancer story resumed during an episode where she attends a regular cancer check up. Dominic attends the appointment with Essie to spare Sacha the worry. Dominic views the scan and tells a devastated Essie that her cancer has returned.

Unauthorised parenting

In 2019, producers devised an unauthorised parenting story for the character. When Frankie Rendell (Sophie Harkness) is admitted to Keller, she reveals that she is Raf's relative. Frankie tells Essie that she is unable to cope with her baby, Isla and wants Essie to take care of her, which she agrees to. Wragg told Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy that "Essie became a mum in a very unconventional manner. Technically, she has a child that isn't hers, and by law, shouldn't still have. There are going to be future complications with that and also future happiness." Viewers wrote on the social networking website Twitter that they were worried for Essie during the story. She commented that they "see the goodness in the story and Essie cares for Isla for "the right reasons". Essie does not want Isla taken into care and knows she can offer a good home. The actress added that "despite the good reasons behind it, it is legally and ethically wrong."

In one episode Isla becomes ill and Essie is unaware of her medical history. Wragg branded it "tiny highlight" of the issues that arise from unauthorised parenting. The need for Isla's medical history leads Essie to tell Sacha the truth. He decides to keep quiet and let her continue to care for Isla. Essie tells other characters that she has adopted Isla. Wragg said that even Essie is beginning to believe Isla is her own child. She envisions a "little family unit". Wragg added "Sacha is the only one that is in cahoots and when someone is part of your lie and they keep it a secret, you can believe it even more." As the story progresses, Essie begins dating Ben and eventually decides to tell him the truth about Isla. Essie eventually tells Fletch the truth who decides to involve social services to make a final decision about Isla's care.

Departure and return

McFadden confirmed in July 2020 that Essie would be leaving Holby City at the conclusion of her cancer story. Appearing in a behind-the-scenes video released by the show, the actor revealed that the story forms Wragg's exit from the show. Laura Denby, writing for the Radio Times, hoped that Essie's death would have "a profound effect on every character" and expected it to "change the show forever". Essie departs in the twenty-fifth episode of series 22, broadcast on 11 August 2020. The character is killed-off as she prepares for her wedding to Sacha and her death featuring in the episode had not been revealed prior to transmission. Wragg's departure were one of the final scenes filmed before Holby City paused production due to the COVID-19 pandemic and featured in the show's final episode before going on a transmission break.

Holby City was cancelled in June 2021 after 23 years on air with the final episode due to be broadcast in March 2022. Producers invited multiple former cast members to reprise their roles during the show's final series. Advanced spoilers for episode 1100, first broadcast on 15 March 2022, revealed that Wragg had reprised her role as Essie. Further details surrounding her appearance were not released until 9 March 2022, when it was revealed that Essie would return as a vision to Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel), who is terminally ill. Essie's appearance serves as a "manifestation" about Jac's fears of dying.

Reception

For her portrayal of Essie, Wragg was nominated for Best Drama Star at the 2020 Inside Soap Awards. Tyler (Inside Soap) wrote that she and audiences "were thrilled" that Essie returned to the series. She noted that Essie and Sasha had a turbulent relationship, adding "it's not always been plain sailing for the pair." A writer from What's on TV similarly stated that "Essie and Sacha's relationship has certainly had its ups and downs." Their colleague, Victoria Wilson was delighted that Essie chose Sacha over Ben following a proposal of marriage. She commented that upon watching "We were like a proud mum at the school nativity play."