Guy Self

Guy Self
Holby City character
John Michie as Guy Self
First appearance	"Sink or Swim" 26 November 2013
Created by	Oliver Kent
Portrayed by	John Michie
Spinoff(s)	Casualty (2014, 2016)
Information
Occupation	Consultant Neurosurgeon
Family	Valerie Sturgeon (mother)
Spouse(s)	Anya Self (deceased)
Children	Zosia March

Guy Self is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City played by John Michie. He first appeared in the sixteenth series episode "Sink or Swim", broadcast on 26 November 2013. Guy is a consultant neurosurgeon and Holby City Hospital's chief executive officer (CEO) until he resigns from his CEO position. The character also appeared in Holby City's sister show, Casualty. Guy departed in the nineteenth series episode "Song of Self – Part Two", broadcast on 15 November 2016. He returned in the series 19 episode "The Evolution of Woman", broadcast on 1 August 2017 for nine episodes.

On 12 July 2013, it was announced that actor John Michie had joined the cast of Holby City as new consultant neurosurgeon Guy Self. Of his casting, Michie said "I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the cast of Holby City and I'm looking forward to taking on a new challenge. My mum was a nurse and always wanted me to be a doctor not an actor so finally half her wish has come true!" Executive producer Oliver Kent commented that Michie would be involved in some "explosive" storylines following his arrival. Michie was initially contracted for a year and he made his first screen appearance as Guy on 26 November 2013.

To help him prepare for the role, Michie met with a surgeon and watched him operate. The actor told a reporter for the BBC that he spent some time observing the consultant's demeanour, which was "friendly and chatty, but with an unspoken authority". Michie tried to bring those aspects of the consultant's personality to his portrayal of Guy. Michie called the medical terms "complex", but said that having medics in his family made learning the terms easier. He also admitted that he was not squeamish and enjoyed the realism achieved by the prosthetics department.

In an interview published on BBC Online, Michie explained that Guy is committed to being a neurosurgeon, which makes him ruthless at times. His job gives him "incredible self-belief", although he does not always get things right. Michie thought Guy had a tendency to push himself and his colleagues too hard. He added that women are one of Guy's weaknesses.