Henrik Hanssen is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, played by actor Guy Henry.

[3] Hanssen considers making general surgeon Ric Griffin (Hugh Quarshie) redundant as he is unable to perform clinical duties while undergoing chemotherapy.

Henrik's friendship with Sahira Shah (Laila Rouass), whom he hires to Darwin Ward in early 2011, is frowned upon by many of his colleagues, who believe that he is favouring her.

Her relationship with Greg Douglas (Edward MacLiam), another Darwin surgeon, leads to conflict between the pair, and the belief that Hanssen has feelings for Sahira.

Serena Campbell (Catherine Russell) is hired as a new consultant on Keller Ward, and Hanssen finds himself trapped between her and Ric for several episodes.

In the following weeks, the pressure from the board and the doubt cast by his colleagues causes Hanssen to depart Holby suddenly and without notice; Serena, and then Imelda Cousins (Tessa Peake-Jones), take up the position of temporary Director of Surgery.

Hanssen mellows as he returns to the more hands on side of medicine, spending more time treating patients on the wards and developing his working relationships with colleagues.

Hanssen returns to Sweden where he reconciles with Maja Johansson (Pia Halvorsen), his former partner, and finally meets his son, Fredrik, and his newborn grandson.

Over twenty months later, Hanssen's successor Guy Self (John Michie) steps down from the position and orchestrates a plan to bring in a new CEO who will persuade the board to fund his vision of a new neurology centre.

After weeks of arguing, Fredrik leaves but later returns with a gun, killing Raf di Lucca and severely wounding Oliver Valentine and Jac Naylor.

When the truth about Gaskell was exposed Abigail abruptly left and Hanssen assumed the role of CEO once more, but in the fallout of Roxanna's murder and John's death, he began to question whether he was suitable to lead Holby anymore.

Executive producer Belinda Campbell commented that Henry was a "great asset" to the cast, expanding: "His character will make waves from his very first scene and upset the apple cart of Holby City in more ways than one.

"[8] Henry shadowed Daren Francis, a surgeon at a North London hospital and Holby City's general surgical advisor, as research for the role.

[11] He explained that Hanssen is not afraid of making enemies and relishes his Machiavellian tendencies, attributing his fractious relationship with Connie to their mutual God complexes and arrogance.

Henry commented that it was possible Hanssen was gay or bisexual, and that an upcoming storyline with a younger female mentee may involve unrequited love.

[9] In November 2010, media entertainment website Digital Spy announced that Laila Rouass had been cast as Sahira Shah, a surgeon who shares a "dark history" with Hanssen, who has guided her career.

[14] Henry appears as Hanssen in a two-part crossover episode with Holby City's sister show, Casualty, originally broadcast in March 2019.

"[17] Henry said highlights of his time at Holby City was the storyline with Dylan, in his first episodes, working with Laila Rouass (Sahira Shah), Paul Bradley (Elliot Hope), James Anderson (Oliver Valentine) and Jimmy Akingbola (Antoine Malick).

We don't know what dark acts may have befallen Henrik during his time away in Sweden but I do believe that, when he looms down the corridors of Holby once more, his wit and his scalpel will be as incisive as ever!

[18] When Guy Self (John Michie) stepped down as CEO to head up a neurology centre, Serena contacted Hanssen about taking over the vacant position.

[23] For his portrayal of Hanssen, Henry was nominated for Best Soap Actor (Male) at the 2018 Digital Spy Reader Awards; he came in eleventh place with 3.1% of the total votes.

The Daily Mirror's Jane Simon commended Henry's debut, writing that he was "off to a head-start, carrying off the haughty, brisk arrogance of a top consultant.

"[25] What's on TV similarly commented that "Henry has a ball playing Holby's new top dog, stealing all the best lines as he adds a wonderful slice of cutting humour to proceedings.

[27] Rebecca Jordan of OntheBox enjoyed Henry's "sarcastic yet strangely affable" character, comparing him to Gregory House for his ability to diagnose patients "nearly as fast as he distributes withering one-liners."

Maier observed that "he is unerringly calm and logical and as such represents the voice of the viewer when irrational behaviour threatens to glibly generate plot.

Continuing drama is nothing without secrets, unkeepable promises, anger and jealousy and yet Hanssen unerringly roots these out and placidly advises his charges to get on with the job.

"[20] Sara Wallis of the Daily Mirror observed, "Hanssen is not a man to crack a smile at the best of times but he's particularly moody as Guy shamelessly tries to wrestle control of Holby.