Jason Haynes
| Jason Haynes | |
|---|---|
| Holby City character | |
| First appearance | "A Partnership, Literally" 9 February 2016 |
| Portrayed by | Jules Robertson |
| In-universe information | |
| Occupation | Porter |
| Family | Serena Campbell (Aunt) Elinor Campbell (cousin) |
Jason Haynes is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, played by actor Jules Robertson. He first appeared in the series eighteen episode "A Partnership, Literally", broadcast on 9 February 2016. Jason arrives at Holby City hospital to work as a porter after being introduced as the nephew of Consultant Serena Campbell (Catherine Russell).
Casting
The character and casting details were announced in February 2016.[1] Robertson auditioned for the role in 2015 and competed with several actors for the part.[2] The actor, who has autism, said "I was really apprehensive but tinged with pride that I had been given this great opportunity. I was nervous about the challenge and did not know whether I would enjoy it but I was determined to do my best."[3] The actor began filming in October 2015 and he became part of the show's semi-regular cast.[4] The cast initially had concerns about an autistic actor coping with fast pace nature of filming. Upon working with Robertson they witnessed his acting talent which quashed any concern.[5] The series producer Simon Harper added that the actor was "a joy to have around".[5] Robertson initially found working on Holby City difficult because he found it stressful and physically exhausted but later settled into the role.[5]
Robertson said that he hoped his casting would make television producers more inclined to hire autistic actors. He added that "I'm hoping my character on Holby will inspire parents of kids that have autism or Asperger’s that their kids can make it as well."[2] Robertson's mother Kathy Lette said that securing the role helped her son's confidence and added that it showed those who had bullied Robertson because of his autism that they were wrong.[2]
Development
Jason was introduced as the nephew of Serena Campbell (Catherine Russell).[6] After Serena learned that her long-lost sister was dead, she emailed Jason asking to meet him and he turned up at Holby during Serena's shift.[6] Jason has Asperger syndrome and Serena tries to understand his condition in the hope that they can build a relationship.[6]
Robertson described Jason as "really nice and sensitive with a deadpan sense of humour and a genuine desire to do good".[3] He also said Jason's Asperger's causes him to take things said to him literally, which does cause problems for him and Serena.[3] Robertson added that his character was "more geeky and shy" than himself.[2] The actor has stated that before filming he converses with the cast and crew about techniques to "present Jason as a human character."[3] The character has a different type of Asperger’s syndrome than the actor's condition. Jason also has an obsession with learning medical terms.[7]
Following his introduction Robertson received praise from viewers via the social networking website Twitter. He attributed this to his character's one liners stating, “the reaction has been really good, really positive. I get the best lines as well."[7]
Greta Allinson (Zoe Croft)
Reception
Access All Areas branded Jason "a wonderfully funny young man with Aspergers."[3] Alan Shaw from The Sunday Post said that Robertson provides a "unique insight into what makes Jason Haynes such a special character, as he himself is a young man with Asperger’s."[8] Robertson himself has stated that Jason is an important role because he helped people understand more about autism.[9]
A writer from Ambitious about Autism stated "it is brilliant to see the character of Jason, who has autism, played by someone with autism. No one person with autism is the same, but they are brilliantly placed to bring this role to life and increase the awareness and understanding of autism."[1] Rachael Sigee from the Evening Standard believed it was of the utmost importance that an autistic actor played the role.[7] She stated that "it feels like an important moment for disability representation in the UK to have a recurring character with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on a mainstream soap."[7]
References
- ^ a b "Talented Youth Patron Jules Robertson to appear in BBC's Holby City". Ambitious about Autism. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ a b c d McPhee, Rod (31 March 2016). "Kathy Lette: My autistic son beat the school bullies and now he's on Holby City". Daily Mirror. (Reach plc). Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Jules Robertson in BBC's Holby City "Dustin Hoffman was great as the Rain Man, but I can bring a special edge"". Access All Areas. 6 February 2016. Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Braithwaite, Alyssa (27 June 2016). "Kathy Lette desperately wants you to know her autistic son". Sbs.com.au. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ a b c Jules Robertson (17 April 2016). "Acting with autism: Jules Robertson joins Holby City". Channel 4 News (Interview). Channel 4.
{{cite interview}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|subjectlink=(help) - ^ a b c Tyler, Laura-Jayne (6–12 February 2016). "I can't go to the supermarket in my pyjamas any more!". Inside Soap (5): 44–45.
- ^ a b c d Sigee, Rachael (1 March 2016). "How 2016 is set to be a breakthrough year for actors with autism on stage and screen". Evening Standard.
- ^ Shaw, Alan (12 August 2016). "Being autistic will not stop my acting career, says Holby City's Jules Robertson". The Sunday Post. (DC Thomson). Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ Robertson, Jules (18 October 2017). "Autistic People Are Acting Every Day - Acting Trying To Be Normal". HuffPost. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
External links
Category:Holby City characters
Category:Fictional British people
Category:Fictional English people
Category:Fictional characters introduced in 2016