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Jason Haynes

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Jason Haynes
Holby City character
First appearance"A Partnership, Literally"
9 February 2016
Portrayed byJules Robertson
In-universe information
OccupationPorter
FamilySerena 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's agent secured him the audition which he attended in 2015 and competed with several actors for the part.[2][3] He told Juliet Rieden from The Australian Women's Weekly that "I auditioned and I was so flawless and so smooth that they decided it was my shot."[3] Of his role success 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."[4] The actor began filming in October 2015 and he became part of the show's semi-regular cast.[5] 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.[6] The series producer Simon Harper added that the actor was "a joy to have around".[6] Robertson initially found working on Holby City difficult because he found it stressful and physically exhausted. He felt that after he filmed his first block of episodes that he became more relaxed and comfortable with the role.[6][3]

Robertson is the first autistic actor to play an autistic character in an ongoing BBC drama.[7] The actor 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

I hope that I'm seen as a role model. I hope that I'm encouraging people with other conditions or people who are on the spectrum and have autism or mild learning difficulties. If they watch me on Holby City I hope I'm showing them that it can happen for them and they shouldn't lose faith and hope.

— Robertson on what he hoped the role of Jason could help achieve. (2016).[8]

Jason was introduced as the nephew of Serena Campbell (Catherine Russell).[9] 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.[9] Jason has Asperger syndrome and Serena tries to understand his condition in the hope that they can build a relationship.[9]

Robertson described Jason as "really nice and sensitive with a deadpan sense of humour and a genuine desire to do good".[4] He also said Jason's Asperger's causes him to take things said to him literally, which does cause problems for him and Serena.[4] 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."[4] The character has a different type of Asperger’s syndrome than the actor's condition. Jason also has an obsession with learning medical terms.[10] While interviewed by Amanda Holden, the actor described Jason as "a very sweet young man, a very nice man" but felt he lacked a sense of humour.[11] He also thinks that Jason lacks self-confidence.[8]

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."[10]

Producers introduced a love interest for the character in 2018, Greta Allinson (Zoe Croft). She is admitted to AAU where Serena treats her. Greta tells Serena she cannot treat her because she is Jason's aunt.[12] It is then revealed that Greta is pregnant and Serena expresses her concerns about Jason's ability to cope. Greta confronts Serena telling her that she and Jason can cope with the child. Serena rethinks her stance and offers to help support them both.[12]

Harper teased the wedding during November 2018 and revealed that they had hired musician and priest Richard Coles to officiate the on-screen ceremony.[13]

Reception

The British charity National Autistic Society chose short-listed Holby City in the drama category at the 2017 Autism Uncut media awards because of Jason's portrayal.[14] Access All Areas branded Jason "a wonderfully funny young man with Aspergers."[4] 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."[15] Robertson himself has stated that Jason is an important role because he helped people understand more about autism.[16]

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.[10] 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."[10] Rieden of The Australian Women's Weekly branded Jason a "breakthrough role" and said it was a television first for a drama hiring an autistic actor to play an autistic character.[3]

Shanique Joseph from the Daily Express thought that Jason and Greta had a chaotic relationship.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b "Talented Youth Patron Jules Robertson to appear in BBC's Holby City". Ambitious about Autism. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b c d Rieden, Juliet (May 2017). "A beautiful mind". The Australian Women's Weekly (5). (Bauer Media Group): 46–50.
  4. ^ 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)
  5. ^ Braithwaite, Alyssa (27 June 2016). "Kathy Lette desperately wants you to know her autistic son". Sbs.com.au. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  6. ^ 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)
  7. ^ Robertson, Julius (3 October 2016). "Julius Robertson: 'Autistic people have extraordinary minds, this play will help you understand us more'". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  8. ^ a b "My role on Holby City helps change attitudes about autism – Jules". Scope. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "Kathy Lette and son Jules on autism awareness". ITV.com. 5 April 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  12. ^ a b Bond, Kimberley (13 February 2018). "Holby City to close after doctors flout protocols?". Daily Star. (Reach plc). Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  13. ^ Hollingsworth, David (30 November 2018). "Holby City spoilers: Reverend Richard Coles to guest star in a romantic special!". What's on TV. (TI Media). Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  14. ^ "Drama shortlist". National Autistic Society. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ Robertson, Jules (18 October 2017). "Autistic People Are Acting Every Day - Acting Trying To Be Normal". HuffPost. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  17. ^ Joseph, Shanique (30 November 2018). "Strictly Come Dancing star to make special appearance in BBC's Holby City - 'I'm thrilled'". Daily Express. (Reach plc). Retrieved 1 March 2019.


Category:Holby City characters Category:Fictional British people Category:Fictional English people Category:Fictional characters introduced in 2016

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