Ric Griffin

Ric Griffin
Holby City character
Hugh Quarshie as Ric Griffin
First appearance	4x01, "Rogue Males", 9 October 2001
Created by	Mal Young
Portrayed by	Hugh Quarshie
Spinoff(s)	Casualty (2004, 2005, 2017)
Information
Occupation	Consultant General Surgeon Clinical Lead (Keller), Director of Surgery
Spouse(s)	Thandie Abebe-Griffin Lola Griffin Amber Griffin
Significant other(s)	Diane Lloyd Sam Kennedy Annalese Carson
Children	Leo Griffin Jess Griffin Kofi Griffin Cleo Sullivan (stepdaughter)
Nationality	Ghanaian

Kobina Eric "Ric" Griffin is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actor Hugh Quarshie. The character first appeared on-screen on 9 October 2001 in episode "Rogue Males" - series 4, episode 1 of the programme. Ric is the longest serving main character in the show, after the departure of Chrissie Williams on 19 November 2013. He has currently played the role of Ric for over 15 years.

Discussing the storyline which saw Ric's oldest son Leo die from a heroin overdose, Quarshie said; "I don't think his death is a shock to Ric as he almost expected it. It's devastating for him, but in true Ric style he holds everything in and throws himself into work. The consequences of the tragedy are felt later down the line." He drew on Ric's troubled relationship with his own father to explain his distant relationship with his children, assessing; "Ric had a domineering and violent father. He swore he'd never be that controlling with his own kids and as a result he was too hands-off."

In July 2010, Quarshie revealed that Ric would be diagnosed with inoperable cancer, explaining: It's asymptomatic - you don't know you've got it until it's spread... It's so far gone, what's the point in having chemotherapy?" He stated that following the diagnosis, Ric would become close to Annalese Carson, the estranged wife of his colleague Michael Spence.

As a long-standing cast member, Quarshie has been granted leave to pursue other projects including directing an episode of Holby City. Series producer Simon Harper has stated that the actor is allowed to ensure the character remains in the show for a longer tenure. The character remained off-screen for several months during 2015 and returned on 29 December 2015, where he was appointed clinical lead on Keller ward.

Ric arrived at Holby City Hospital in episode "Rogue Males" as a General Surgical Consultant. It was revealed in the show's seventh series that he originated from Ghana, where his brother Kumi runs a hospital. He has been married five times - twice to Critical Care Consultant Lola Griffin - and has had several romances during his time on the show, including engagement to Senior House Officer Sam Kennedy, long term flirtation with former flame Diane Lloyd, and a brief marriage to Registrar Thandie Griffin. Diane and Ric got even more close in Ghana, while Keller ward was downsized and Diane hoped Ric would come back to Holby. He refused but eventually moved back. He had to put Diane under supervision while she was a consultant because a healthcare commission worker told him so. Diane committed suicide because she felt nobody supported her and when Thandie found out that Ric loved Diane, she broke up with him. Ric went to have a time alone with Diane in the mortuary and he had a breakdown.