commissions." Casting Edmondson has discussed the surprised reaction he encountered upon assuming the role of Abra, stating: "I'm sure people are surprised I'm in it, but I don't give a toss. I have always liked it. It's like any soap - if you watch it, you get stuck in. I love working on it." He has mentioned that he is the only cast member to have been a fan of the show since its 1999 conception, that both he and his youngest daughter Freya often watch it together "as a bonding exercise", and going as far as to describe the role as "a dream". Commenting on his decision only ever to reprise the role of Abra on short term contracts, Edmondson has stated that: "I don't think I could handle any longer. The regulars on the show work very, very hard. Basically I don't think I could do what they do and still be alive." Several of Edmondson's Holby City co-stars have described feeling intimidated by the prospect of working alongside him for the first time, stemming from his already well established fame. Rakie Ayola explained: "I thought it was going to be difficult at the beginning because he wasn't speaking to me. But he was initially just a little shy and sussing things out. He's a lot quieter than you would expect but then suddenly he'll say something that has everybody doubled up in laughter. You won't find anyone who doesn't like him." Edmondson himself has added that he gets along well with the cast, although finds that the distance of Elstree Studios from most of their London homes makes them "weirdly unsociable". Edmondson's casting in the role followed a trend remarked upon by television critic Jim Shelley, who noted a tendency of Holby City producers toward hiring already well established actors, including Jesus of Nazareth star Robert Powell and actress Patsy Kensit. When asked in November 2007 whether she actively sought out well-known names to fill new roles in the show, series producer Diana Kyle responded: "It's lovely when we have a new member of the cast come in and bring an audience with them. But we want the best actors, and the star names we cast are always the best - which is why we go for them!" Development Personality Describing the character following his October 2007 departure from the show, the BBC attested: "Rebellious surgeon Abra