avoided political topics, though the Vietnam War was briefly the subject of one episode, and its main themes were the conflict between progressive and conservative social ideals, and the ethical challenges and social changes faced by the hospital's staff, reflecting the setting in the 1960s. Like Heartbeat, the show had a number of anachronisms, such as the use of the expression "the glass ceiling" Filming Filming of the interior scenes of "St. Aidan's" used both The Leeds Studios and St Luke's Hospital, Bradford. Most of the exterior scenes were shot during the summer months at the Red Court building on Holbeck Road, South Cliff, Scarborough, as well as the nearby park area and Holbeck Clock Tower. The remaining exterior scenes were filmed elsewhere in the North Riding of Yorkshire, including Whitby. Cast and characters Main cast and characters Julian Ovenden as Dr David Cheriton (series 1–3), a general practitioner (GP) and the series' original protagonist. Zoie Kennedy as Meryl Taylor (series 1–5), a senior staff nurse and Cheriton's primary love interest. Robert Daws as Dr Gordon Ormerod (series 1–8), a GP and anaesthetist who in series 4 married Dr Jill Weatherill (played by Daws' real-life wife). Their only biological child together, Jonathan, a baby on the show, became a lead doctor at the hospital as an adult, as featured in The Royal Today Amy Robbins as Dr Jill Weatherill (series 1–8), a GP and a staunch promoter of maternal medicine, who in series 4 married Dr Gordon Ormerod (played by Robbins' real-life husband). Linda Armstrong as Sister Brigid (series 1–8), a nursing administrator, ward sister and nun (née Aisling Donahue) who lives in a convent. Francis Matthews as Dr James "Jim" Alway (series 1), Dr Cheriton's predecessor, seen only briefly. Ian Carmichael as T.J. Middleditch (series 1–5, recurring thereafter), Hospital Secretary and Chairman of the Middleditch Trust, which helps to fund the hospital. Wendy Craig as Matron (series 1–8), nursing administrator, nicknamed "Toffee" ever since airmen at the Royal Air Force Station she served at as a nurse during the Second World War decided that she was "toffee-nosed" (snobbish/stuck up). John Axon as Nigel Harper (series 1–4), unpopular administrator for the district health authority. Michelle Hardwick as Lizzie Hopkirk (series 1–8), receptionist and daughter of the hospital porter Ken Hopkirk; she was married when the series started, but her husband left her for another woman. Denis Lill as Mr Rose