Jimmi Clay

Dr. Jimmi Clay is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Adrian Lewis Morgan. The actor joined the cast shortly after his role in Holby City came to an end. Morgan was a fan of the soap and was pleased to audition for a regular part. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 5 September 2005, and has gone on to become the programme's longest serving cast member.

Jimmi Clay
Doctors character
Portrayed byAdrian Lewis Morgan
Duration2005–present
First appearance"He's My Son Too"
5 September 2005 (2005-09-05)
Introduced byWill Trotter
ClassificationPresent; regular
Profile
Occupation
HomeLetherbridge

Upon his introduction, Jimmi is portrayed as being recently separated and "fairly new to the profession". Jimmi has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Morgan carried out his own research into the disorder to help his portrayal. He later admitted that Jimmi's OCD had begun to impact his own life. Producers introduced the character's former wife shortly after his arrival, and later established relationships with Detective Eva Moore (Angela Lonsdale) and Cherry Malone (Sophie Abelson), whom he married. Morgan has received several award nomination for his portrayal of Jimmi, including Best Male Dramatic Performance at The British Soap Awards.

Casting

Actor Adrian Lewis Morgan joined the cast in 2005, shortly after appearing in Holby City as nurse Liam Evans.[2] He told Kris Green of Digital Spy that he knew some of the casting directors from his time working on Holby City, and admitted that he was a fan of the show before his casting, having watched it during his college years, so he was pleased to audition for a regular part.[3] Comparing it to his previous roles, Morgan said "As far as TV's concerned, this is a bigger role for me dialogue-wise. With Holby, I had a smaller part so [now] it's more work and it's very fast. The way we film is very quick so you do spend a lot of the spare time you have off work actually working so it's not really spare time, you're learning scripts but it balances itself out."[3] Morgan is the show's longest serving cast member.[4]

Development

Characterisation

Morgan described his character as "very charming, fairly new to the profession and just split up with his wife. I would say that he's a good doctor, and he suffers with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)."[3] Morgan carried out some research into OCD to help his portrayal, which included watching television documentaries and speaking with his father, who was a senior social worker.[3] Jimmi's backstory also established that he suffered the death of his mother and has claustrophobia.[5] In 2011, Morgan explained to WalesOnline's Rachel Mainwaring that Jimmi's OCD had impacted his own life and he often catches himself checking car door locks and light switches.[2] He commented, "But I suppose it's inevitable that I am like him as I've been playing him so long."[2] Morgan also said that he shares some personality traits with his character, but he pointed out that they have very different styles, as he prefers casual clothes, while Jimmi is often seen dressed in a suit.[3] Roz Laws of the Birmingham Mail observed that Jimmi is "a favourite with patients and colleagues".[5]

Relationships

Producers introduced the character's wife Amanda Clay (played by Emma Samms) in late 2005.[6] Amanda, a complementary therapist, is older than Jimmi, which Samms initially found flattering, until the other characters were scripted to show their disbelief at Jimmi being married to her.[6] Jimmi and Amanda's marriage is strained and she allows him to "fool around" with other women, as she believes that he will stay with her.[6] Amanda leaves after falsely claiming that she has cancer.[7] Samms reprised the role in 2018. Amanda returns to Letherbridge following the death of her husband.[8] Samms told Inside Soap's Allison Jones that Amanda initially wants to see how Jimmi is doing and does not let him know she is back straight away.[7] She also said, "Amanda is actually in a very desperate place, and she needs help."[7] It emerges that she is in "a bitter dispute" with her late husband's children over the will.[8]

In 2007, Jimmi receives a new love interest in Detective Eva Moore (Angela Lonsdale). Series producer Peter Lloyd was a fan of the couple, saying "They're so good together; we could never keep them apart for long, could we? Or am I just being soppy? Any excuse to hear that lovely Lewis Morgan voice!"[9] He also believed that Morgan and Lonsdale's good working relationship came across well on-screen. Lloyd was keen to explore Jimmi's commitment issues with the relationship and hinted that things would "get very dark for Jimmi and Eva.[9]

Writers later established a romantic relationship between Jimmi and his colleague Cherry Malone (Sophie Abelson). Jimmi saves Cherry from drowning in a lake and gives her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, leaving her "smitten" by his selfless act. Cherry has been developing feelings for Jimmi for a number of weeks, so when he visits her in the hospital, she asks him out on a date and he accepts.[10] Abelson and Morgan filmed the lake scenes in a tank at Pinewood Studios. Lloyd named it the year's biggest challenge, and he said he was proud of the way Abelson and Morgan pulled it off.[11] The characters were married two years later. In the lead up to the wedding, Cherry becomes a bridezilla as she wants the perfect wedding, while Jimmi worries about the cost.[12] The day before the wedding, Zara Carmichael (Elisabeth Dermot Walsh) goes into premature labour and Cherry delivers her son, which changes things for couple. Abelson explained, "I think it just puts everything into perspective for Cherry and Jimmi. Their main concern is whether Zara and Daniel's baby will survive."[12]

The marriage is soon tested by Jimmi's desire to start a family and Cherry's affair with Daniel Granger (Matthew Chambers), which he threatens to reveal.[13] A month later, Abelson departed the cast to pursue new roles.[14] On-screen Cherry and Jimmi's marriage "implodes", as Jimmi discovers the affair. He initially "holds it together", but he loses his temper when he learns that Cherry has secretly been taking contraception, despite their plans for a family.[15] Abelson found the scenes "quite excruciating" to play out, knowing that Jimmi had been innocent throughout the storyline and was unaware of the truth. She said, "I felt really sick and uncomfortable, which obviously is how Cherry felt too."[14] Talking to Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy, Abelson explained that towards the end Cherry had started to realise that her idea of the perfect marriage was not what it initially was. Abelson also thought that it was interesting that Cherry and Jimmi were put together, saying they were "always two very different people".[14]

Hermione Pitman (Rebekah Manning) became Jimmi's love interest in 2014. After Zara turns down his romantic advances, Jimmi struggles with the compulsion to wash his hands. He attends an OCD support group and meets "kindred spirit" Hermione. Jimmi likes the "outlandish" ways she uses to deal with her illness.[16] The relationship ends when Jimmi learns Hermione kissed his friend Al Haskey (Ian Midlane). Still affected by Cherry's betrayal, Jimmi tells Hermione that he cannot forgive any infidelity. He also realises that they making their illnesses worse by being together.[17]

Arrest and imprisonment

Towards the end of 2019, the character was the focus of a major storyline that saw him arrested for heroin possession.[18] Following a shift as forensic medical examiner, Jimmi is approached by the Major Crime Squad who ask to search his car. They find a large amount of heroin and take him into the station for questioning. A show spokesperson told Allison Jones of Inside Soap that Jimmi is left "speechless" by the discovery, as it is the last thing he was expecting them to find.[18] Jimmi initially waives his right to a solicitor, as he believes the situation is a misunderstanding, but soon accepts that he is in trouble. The spokesperson said, "He agrees to a solicitor and tries to be more compliant – yet his nightmare is far from over..."[18] Meanwhile, Valerie Pitman (Sarah Moyle) has to open The Mill for the police to conduct a search, and Jimmi makes his situation worse by talking to a witness, which is a breach of his bail conditions. The storyline revisited part of the character's past, as he is brought before a judge that he has clashed with before.[18]

Morgan explained that he was "excited" about Jimmi's storyline, as it was very different from what the show usually does. He admitted that things had been quiet for Jimmi storyline-wise, calling it "a bit of a lull for him", so he hoped the viewers would "get on board" and enjoy the storyline.[19] Jimmi spends Christmas in prison, and Morgan told Jones that this makes his "downward spiral" worse. He also commented that "he's not doing brilliantly well."[19] Morgan explained that a lack of visitors and being cut off from his friends takes its toll on Jimmi, who begins to feel alone, saying "he's lost faith in everyone around him."[19] The prison scenes were filmed on a specially constructed set, which meant Morgan spent a lot of time away from the rest of the cast. He also kept away from The Mill and Campus sets, which helped him to understand Jimmi's feelings of being alone.[19]

Storylines

In his fictional backstory, Jimmi's mother was killed in a car accident when he was eight, and he was then raised by his father and elder sister. His father was strict, locking Jimmi in the cupboard under the stairs whenever he misbehaved. As a result, Jimmi suffers from claustrophobia and OCD. Jimmi has a romance with receptionist Sarah Finch (Andrea Green) and they become engaged, but the relationship does not last long, as Sarah leaves The Mill to emigrate. Jimmi is romantically involved with Eva Moore (Angela Lonsdale), but when Eva has to go into witness protection and leave Letherbridge, their relationship ends. Jimmi has his own show on Radio Letherbridge and wins "The Golden Microphone" Award for the show.

After being called out to a house in the countryside, Jimmi is kidnapped by siblings Sissy Juggins (Debbie Chazen) and Ivor Juggins (Steven O'Donnell), who are big fans of his radio show. The siblings keep Jimmi drugged and tied up. Julia Parsons (Diane Keen) becomes concerned when Jimmi does not turn up for the Christmas party, but Simon Bond (David Sturzaker) believes that he has gone on holiday early. Julia asks Rob Hollins (Chris Walker) to look for Jimmi, as it is unlike him to leave so suddenly. Ivor hides Jimmi in a shed when Rob visits their home. Sissy gives Jimmi the keys to his chains when he convinces her they can run away together, but Jimmi escapes and manages to beat Ivor off with a house brick. Jimmi recovers in hospital and Julia is shocked at the effect the kidnapping has had on him. He later tells reporters that Sissy and Ivor have mental health problems and need treatment. When Jimmi visits a young patient, he suffers a panic attack when she and her mother appear to be fans of his. He nearly deserts them when he feels that he cannot cope, but changes his mind when the patient's mother reassures him that they will not harm him. Jimmi and Al Haskey (Ian Midlane) take over the local restaurant The Icon, which they turn into a drinking establishment.

Jimmi has a counselling session George Kenway (Lewis MacKinnon), who tells Jimmi that he is struggling at work due to having hallucinations of himself being violent. He explains to Jimmi that in his visions, he sees himself falling in love with a male prostitute, getting jealous over his career, and killing him. Jimmi leaves George in his office while he tells Emma Reid (Dido Miles) about George, and later calls Rob Hollins. The police find a body in George's car, and he is arrested. While being put into the police car, he brands Jimmi a liar. Later that year, on the way home from The Icon, Jimmi enters a car park late at night and is mugged by an assailant in a balaclava. However, they do not take anything from him and Jimmi realises it was an attack on him. Later that year, Jimmi is arrested after heroin is found in his car. He is released on bail, but is sent back to prison when he breaks his bail conditions by visiting a security guard who testified against him. While in prison, The Icon struggles to make a profit, and Al sells it. Jimmi hires John Butler (Richard Huw) as his solicitor. After four months of Jimmi being in prison, Al and Daniel uncover that John is the father of George, and that he blames Jimmi for his son's death. John confesses to framing Jimmi, and he is released, with Julia waiting for him. Upon his release, he begins cleaning his house, and Julia worries that he is obsessing. He explains that he does not know what to do, and when Al encourages him to return to work right away, he is unsure. Julia asks him if he would like to move to France with her, to which he agrees.

Reception

For his portrayal of Jimmi, Morgan was nominated for Best Daytime Star at the Inside Soap Awards in 2010 and 2015.[20][21] He was included on the longlist for the Best Actor accolade at the 2015 British Soap Awards.[22] The following year, Morgan was nominated for Best Male Dramatic Performance.[23] In 2019, Morgan and Ian Midlane were nominated for Best On-Screen Partnership.[24] In 2020, Morgan won the Best Male Acting Performance accolade at the Royal Television Society Midlands Awards.[25]

Abelson said there was "quite a mixed response" from viewers to the pairing of Cherry and Jimmi, as he has a lot of fans, and the female viewers were "quite precious" about him.[12] Jimmi's kidnap at the hands of two patients was not a popular storyline with viewers, who said the show had "lost the plot and it was too ridiculous." However, executive producer Will Trotter revealed that it contributed to a ratings increase.[26]

References
  1. Kilkelly, Daniel (6 January 2012). "War Of The Worlds". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 14 January 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  2. Mainwaring, Rachel (12 February 2011). "Adrian Lewis-Morgan on the 2,000th episode of Doctors drama". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  3. Green, Kris (10 April 2006). "Adrian Lewis Morgan". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  4. Moloney, Aisling (25 August 2017). "When is BBC One TV show Doctors back on?". Metro. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  5. Laws, Roz (24 May 2016). "Will BBC's Doctors win anything at the British Soap Awards 2016?". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  6. Laws, Roz (16 October 2005). "The Week: Home is Emma's perfect therapy". Sunday Mercury. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  7. Jones, Allison (21–27 April 2018). "The bad wife". Inside Soap. No. 16. pp. 40–41.
  8. Lamacraft, Tess (9 March 2018). "Former Dynasty star Emma Samms 'jumped at chance' to return as Jimmi's ex wife in BBC's Doctors". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  9. Green, Kris (6 May 2008). "Peter Lloyd (Series Producer, 'Doctors')". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  10. "Jimmi saves Cherry". Inside Soap. No. 33. 21–27 August 2010. p. 24.
  11. Moon, Katy (27 November – 3 December 2010). "'We've been saving our budget for a big stunt!'". Inside Soap. No. 47. pp. 40–41.
  12. McLennan, Patrick (27 January 2012). "Doctors' Sophie: 'Cherry is a real bridezilla'". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  13. "Baby shock for Cherry". Inside Soap. No. 35. 1–7 September 2012. p. 25.
  14. Kilkelly, Daniel (7 October 2012). "'Doctors' Sophie Abelson talks Cherry exit plot – interview". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  15. "Cherry's shock exit!". Inside Soap. No. 41. 13–19 October 2012. p. 27.
  16. Ellis, Sarah; Moon, Katy (4–10 January 2014). "Romance for Jimmi". Inside Soap. No. 53. p. 33.
  17. Wilson, Victoria (14 February 2014). "Is this Jimmi and Hermione's final kiss?". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  18. Jones, Allison (14–20 December 2019). "Jimmi arrested!". Inside Soap. No. 50. p. 18.
  19. Jones, Allison (4–10 January 2020). "'Jimmi thought everything would be okay...'". Inside Soap. No. 1. pp. 46–47.
  20. Wightman, Catriona (13 July 2010). "In Full: Inside Soap Awards 2010 Nominees". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 27 October 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  21. Dainty, Sophie (14 July 2015). "Inside Soap Awards 2015 longlist revealed: Who's in line for Best Actor, Actress and Newcomer?". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  22. Kilkelly, Daniel (30 March 2015). "British Soap Awards 2015 voting opens, longlist nominees revealed". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 1 April 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  23. "British Soap Awards 2016: full list of nominations – can Alison King beat Lacey Turner for best actress?". The Daily Telegraph. 28 May 2016. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  24. Hughes, Johnathon (1 June 2019). "British Soap Awards 2019: winners in full". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 5 July 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  25. "RTS Midlands Awards 2020". Royal Television Society. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  26. Laws, Roz (2 April 2010). "Ten years of Birmingham's TV soap Doctors". Business Live. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
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