Abra Durant

Abra Durant
Holby City character
Adrian Edmondson as Abra Durant
First appearance7x38, "Tuesday's Child", 2005
Last appearance11x09, "Sweet Bitter Love", 9 December 2008
Portrayed byAdrian Edmondson
In-universe information
OccupationLocum Consultant General Surgeon, prev. Cardiothoracics, Critical Care
FamilyCecil Heaney (father)
Elizabeth Mills (mother)
ChildrenKyle Wallis
RomancesKyla Tyson (fiancée)

Percival "Abra" Durant is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actor Adrian Edmondson.[1] The character first appeared on-screen on 5 July 2005 in the episode "Tuesday's Child", episode 38 of the show's seventh series.[2] Initially making a one-off, guest-appearance, Edmondson has since reprised the role of Abra numerous times, stating that he has loved the show since its 1999 conception.[3] He departed from the show for the final time on 9 December 2008, in episode "Sweet Bitter Love".[4]

Abra's initial role in the show was that of Third World rights champion and humorous surgical maverick, whose major storylines centered on serious rule breaking (including stealing returned anti-retroviral drugs to send to African countries in need, performing an experimental xenotransplantation without authorisation, and secretly using Holby City Hospital's theatres at night to perform charity operations on African children) as well as his relationship with colleague nurse Kyla Tyson. Upon returning to the show in April 2008, the character took a darker turn, resorting to self-harm as a symptom of post-traumatic stress, following a harrowing experience in the war torn Congo.

Well received by the show's fans, writers and directors, Abra has established an enduring popularity which has seen Edmondson invited back to the programme regularly.[5] TV critics have proved almost entirely favourable to the character, even when commenting on the unrealistic quality of many of his storylines.[6]

  1. ^ "BBC - Holby City - Characters - Abra Durant". BBC.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 March 2008. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
  2. ^ "Tuesday's Child". Holby City. Season 7. Episode 38. 5 July 2005. BBC.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference morning was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Green, Kris (11 October 2008). "Rakie Ayola to leave 'Holby City'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference dream was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference tablets was invoked but never defined (see the help page).