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The story so far...
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The characters
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The actress - Gillian Bevan
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The actress - Gillian Bevan
Gillian Bevan (Teachers, Doctors) plays Gina Hope, who has MND.
This autumn she appears in a number of episodes that reveal the devastating impact MND has on the person diagnosed, their friends and family.
Here Gillian talks about the role...
Like me, Gina is very independent, and portraying her courageous battle against MND was really quite a challenge. Gina is frustrated by the gradual and relentless loss of physical control. In each episode her character changed both emotionally and physically. It was a journey that we both went on. Even writing a letter and making a cup of tea - simple things that we take for granted - become enormous hurdles Gina cannot overcome.
I remember one particular scene when Gina collapses, unable to make it to the loo in time. After the first take, members of the crew surrounded me, checking the size of the stain on my trousers. It was a pretty embarrassing and undignified situation, but nothing compared to what many people with MND have to face. At least I could get up off the floor and walk away at the end of the day!
Throughout filming, the Holby City crew was absolutely fantastic. Paul Bradley (Elliot Hope), Luke Roberts (Joseph Byrne) and Amanda Mealing (Connie Beauchamp) were all very supportive. During rehearsal breaks, we would always grab the opportunity to talk through our scenes and the issues associated with them. It was a real pleasure to work with such a professional team.
Gina’s story is not just about MND. It also explores many emotional issues. In essence, it’s a love story between Gina and her husband Elliot. Elliot cannot come to terms with the fact that she is dying and cannot understand how she finally comes to accept this fact. As Gina’s thoughts turn to how she will die, Elliot is torn by conflicting emotions as a husband, a carer and a medical professional.
Gina looks at the possibility of assisted dying, which is an issue I’ve always felt passionately about. I believe that, so long as the right safeguards are in place and people have access to the best palliative care, legalising assisted dying in this country can only be a good thing. Although I have absolutely no idea how I would feel if I was in the same situation, it is my view that people such as Gina should be given the right to die when they feel the time is right. I think Lord Joffe's Bill is a Bill that any civilised society should be proud of and I wish it every success.
Tackling such an emotive issue meant that my family were often in my thoughts during filming. I visited a number of people with MND as part of my research, and the MND Association put me in touch with a woman whose 12-year-old son is her primary carer. My son is of a similar age, and I honestly don’t know if I could be as brave as her.
Looking back to when I read the first script, I didn't know that Gina’s story would feature in so many episodes. I am so glad it has because it tackles important issues that are close to my heart. A great friend of mine cared for his father, who had MND…so when I accepted the role, I felt a huge sense of responsibility to portray the disease as accurately as possible. I hope I haven't let anyone down!
It has been a fantastic privilege to play Gina. She has certainly made me think about the issues surrounding MND, and the enormous courage a person with MND has to have, just to get through each day.
I remember one particular scene when Gina collapses, unable to make it to the loo in time. After the first take, members of the crew surrounded me, checking the size of the stain on my trousers. It was a pretty embarrassing and undignified situation, but nothing compared to what many people with MND have to face. At least I could get up off the floor and walk away at the end of the day!
Throughout filming, the Holby City crew was absolutely fantastic. Paul Bradley (Elliot Hope), Luke Roberts (Joseph Byrne) and Amanda Mealing (Connie Beauchamp) were all very supportive. During rehearsal breaks, we would always grab the opportunity to talk through our scenes and the issues associated with them. It was a real pleasure to work with such a professional team.
Gina’s story is not just about MND. It also explores many emotional issues. In essence, it’s a love story between Gina and her husband Elliot. Elliot cannot come to terms with the fact that she is dying and cannot understand how she finally comes to accept this fact. As Gina’s thoughts turn to how she will die, Elliot is torn by conflicting emotions as a husband, a carer and a medical professional.
Gina looks at the possibility of assisted dying, which is an issue I’ve always felt passionately about. I believe that, so long as the right safeguards are in place and people have access to the best palliative care, legalising assisted dying in this country can only be a good thing. Although I have absolutely no idea how I would feel if I was in the same situation, it is my view that people such as Gina should be given the right to die when they feel the time is right. I think Lord Joffe's Bill is a Bill that any civilised society should be proud of and I wish it every success.
Tackling such an emotive issue meant that my family were often in my thoughts during filming. I visited a number of people with MND as part of my research, and the MND Association put me in touch with a woman whose 12-year-old son is her primary carer. My son is of a similar age, and I honestly don’t know if I could be as brave as her.
Looking back to when I read the first script, I didn't know that Gina’s story would feature in so many episodes. I am so glad it has because it tackles important issues that are close to my heart. A great friend of mine cared for his father, who had MND…so when I accepted the role, I felt a huge sense of responsibility to portray the disease as accurately as possible. I hope I haven't let anyone down!
It has been a fantastic privilege to play Gina. She has certainly made me think about the issues surrounding MND, and the enormous courage a person with MND has to have, just to get through each day.
