Joseph Byrne is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by Luke Roberts.
Joseph's role in the show is that of troubled surgeon – the resultant angst of his brother's attempted suicide and his own anally retentive personality lead to the revelation the character suffers from Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD).
His major storylines included an accidental drugs overdose, and a relationship with fellow surgical registrar Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel), who cheated on him with his own father.
Prior to joining the cast of Holby City as Joseph, Luke Roberts made a guest appearance in the series seven episode "No Pain, No Gain" as Daniel Fryer, the son of a deceased patient.
[3] He recalls that it "got the attention of the producers", and that actress Amanda Mealing, who portrayed Connie Beauchamp, "put a good word in for [him]".
[4] He felt lucky to join alongside Chambers and Rosie Marcel as Jac Naylor, due to the "feeling of solidarity" which developed between them.
[5] As preparation for the role, Roberts observed open heart surgery at University College Hospital, London, and researched OCD.
[5] Having become a regular Holby City viewer from the time of his appearance as Daniel, the actor had a contextual basis for storylines upon his return as Joseph, who he deemed a "very complex" character.
"[5] He also deemed his character "incredibly honest and morally upright",[4] "a total oddball with all sorts of hang-ups",[8] and as being "very stuck in his ways.
I think he harbours very strong feelings of admiration for Connie but is frankly surprised and secretly thrilled when any woman shows him affection.
In 2019, Roberts and Kensit agreed to reprise their roles as Joseph and Faye as part of the show's twentieth anniversary celebrations.
[13] Holby City's executive producer Simon Harper branded Joseph and Faye as "two huge, iconic characters" and teased their return as a "nostalgic and exciting treat for long-term viewers.
"[13] Harper described the "unique episode" as centric to the "classic Darwin trio with all their past tensions and rivalries bubbling to the surface.
[15] Joseph arrives at Holby City Hospital in episode "Mother Love", when he and fellow cardiothoracic surgeon Sam Strachan vie for a registrar position.
[16] In turn, Joseph begins to confide in Elliot, and reveals that his brother Harry is in a coma as a result of a suicide attempt.
[17] Joseph discloses his guilt about the incident, and explains that he knew his brother was worried about exams, but ignored a telephone call from him on the evening he took an insulin overdose.
When things go awry there, she convinces Joseph to lie about their qualifications so that they can perform the operation themselves, which endangers both their careers, and results in their lives being threatened by the patient's influential father.
[20] In the episode "Paranoid Android" Jac begins cheating on Joseph with his own father, for a period of several months, until Lord Byrne calls an end to the deception and confesses their infidelity to his son.
His friend and colleague Faye Morton takes it upon herself to steal the ring, and returns it to Joseph to do with as he sees fit, in the hopes that this will allow him to move on.
[23] Early in series ten, Joseph's brother's condition deteriorates and he is admitted to Holby City Hospital in need of an operation.
Joseph's hopes are raised when his brother opens his eyes, and he considers expensive neurology treatment in America to try and rouse Harry from his coma.
His relationship with Faye develops slowly, however Joseph's suspicions are raised when she lies to him about her whereabouts on several occasions, leading to the eventual discovery that the police suspect her of the murder of her second husband, Donald.
After flying out with colleague Linden Cullen (Duncan Pow), Faye reveals she has a ten-year-old son, Archie, who lives in a care home because of a genetic disease.
Joseph saves Archie's life in a risky operation, and he and Faye return from South Africa engaged once more, much to Jac's chagrin.