| "Group Animal" | |
|---|---|
| Holby City episodes | |
 A promotional image for the episodes | |
| Episode nos. | Series 19 Episodes 61 & 62 |
| Directed by | Paulette Randall |
| Written by | Andy Bayliss |
| Original air dates | 5 December 2017 (Part 1) 7 December 2017 (Part 2) |
| Running time | 58 minutes (Part 1) 56 minutes (Part 2) |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Group Animal" is a two-part episode of the British medical drama Holby City that served as the 61st and 62nd episodes of the show's nineteenth series, and the 900th and 901st episodes overall. The first part aired on 5 December 2017, and the second on 7 December 2017 on BBC One in the United Kingdom. Both parts were written by Andy Bayliss and directed by Paulette Randall. The plot sees the arrival of Professor John Gaskell (Paul McGann) at Holby City Hospital, shortly before Fredrik Johanssen (Billy Postlethwaite) goes on a shooting spree, which results in the death of Raf di Lucca (Joe McFadden).
Holby City executive producer Simon Harper first teased the two-part storyline in November 2017, saying the characters would face the "hospital's greatest peril yet" and their lives would be changed forever. Details of the plot were withheld, but it was confirmed that McGann would make his debut during the first part. The actor said "Group Animal" was a departure from the show's regular plots. McFadden's departure was also kept a secret by producers, so it would have "maximum impact" on viewers. McFadden filmed his final scenes two months prior to them being broadcast.
The episodes were promoted with a trailer titled "When Darkness Falls Look to the Light". "Group Animal – Part One" was seen by 4.92 million viewers and "Group Animal – Part Two" was watched by 5.19 million. The episodes received mostly positive attention from critics, with one calling the plot "nail-biting, edge-of-seat stuff". Some viewers hoped that Holby City would win awards for the episodes. However, the Motor Neurone Disease Association criticised the show for misleading viewers about a cure for motor neuron disease. The episodes won Best Drama Storyline at the 2018 Inside Soap Awards.