Nick Jordan is a fictional character from the BBC medical dramas Casualty and Holby City, portrayed by actor Michael French.

[1] Jordan first appeared in two episodes of Casualty in 1998, before becoming a main character in spin-off show Holby City from its 1999 conception, in the role of Cardiothoracic Surgical Registrar.

He returned again to Holby City in 2006, taking on the role of General Surgical Consultant, departing a few months later in order to pursue a transfer back to cardiothoracics.

He was conceived as a Cardiothoracic Surgical Registrar who would become a main character in new medical drama Holby City - a spin-off of the station's long-running Casualty.

The main characters were all staff on the ward, with Nick Jordan working on the surgical firm of lead Consultant Anton Meyer.

Discussing the show's conception as a spin-off, Young has explained: "Like most people I’ve often wondered what happens next to those patients who come in after accidents.

People have busy lives and if they already follow a number of soaps, they take to a new drama series when they make sense quickly.

"[2] In preparation for assuming the role of Nick, French undertook research at the Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, observing heart surgery performed.

[3] Following Nick's 2006 departure from Holby City, the series' official website described him as: "decisive, confident, charismatic and passionate.

"[4] Michael French, discussing his character shortly after the show's 1999 conception, asserted that: "Like most blokes, he sometimes treats women as playthings – if they’re willing.

"[3] Sarah Preston, who played Nick's ex-wife Karen in the first two series of the show, stated of her most memorable moments filming: "I loved my scenes with Michael, he was great to work with.

Patricia Potter, who plays Diane, explained that when confronted; "[Nick] violently pins her against the wall and warns her never to cross him.

"[10] Upon transferring from Holby City to sister show Casualty, Nick became the object of affection of junior doctor Ruth Winters.

Series producer Emma Turner stated that: "We are delighted to be welcoming back a fantastic, original character to the wards of Holby City and are thrilled to be working with Michael French.

"[11] The character returned to Holby City proper in February 2006, accepting the General Surgical Consultancy that his old flame Jac Naylor had been hoping to be appointed to.

Rosie Marcel, who plays Jac, described the characters' reunion: "She bumps into Nick outside the hospital and the look of disgust on her face says it all.

"[9] When the character departed from the show again several months later, the situation was manipulated by Cardiothoracic Consultant Connie Beauchamp (Amanda Mealing).

A lot's happened since Nick's been away and it's not long before his past catches up with him again..."[13] Casualty's series producer Oliver Kent commented: "I'm really excited that Michael French will be joining us.

"[15] Michael French has stated of the transfer: "The BBC came up with the idea of Nick Jordan coming back to head up Casualty.

"[6] During his first tenure at Holby City Hospital, Nick's inability to remain calm under pressure hindered his surgical performance.

After a long period of rehabilitation he was able to return to work, but came close to being invalided out of the service, as the loss of blood from the injury nearly left permanent damage which would have made it impossible for him to operate.

Nick's private and working lives frequently overlapped, as his estranged wife Karen Newburn was a Ward Sister at the hospital.

From an MRI scan, Charlie and Zoe discovered the truth but concealed Jordan's fit from the rest of the staff, blaming it on a vasovagal attack.

Eventually Jordan's condition deteriorates to the point where he has to be hospitalised, causing a very worried Zoe to start bunking off her hospital duties to be at his bedside.

Jordan's confidence soars when he learns that the Board want him to take over as Clinical Lead, and makes arrangements to attend a meeting with them later in the day.

With Kieron absent, Jordan coaxes a board member to the ED and impresses her with his handling of a patient, securing the job.

He reads the test results which turn out to be negative, Kieron shortly departs after an incident in which a bronchoscope is broken, and he takes the blame on behalf of other F2s, May and Lenny.

On 6 November Jordan is forced to operate on a bulimic patient in spite of the fact that he is not supposed to, at the end of a shift in a meeting with Henry and reveals that he intends to return to surgery.

In Jordan's reply to Zoe, he warns her to be very careful around Connie, as he cannot think of a reason she would have returned to Holby unless it was for her own personal gain.

"[18] Andrew Billen for the New Statesman agrees that Nick is "good-looking",[19] but suggests French's playing another "love rat" character after his EastEnders role to be type casting.