Kobina Eric "Ric" Griffin is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actor Hugh Quarshie.

The character is introduced as a consultant in general surgery during the series four episode "Rogue Males", originally broadcast on 9 October 2001.

Quarshie announced his departure from the drama in 2020, and Ric departs in a series 22 episode, originally broadcast on 10 November 2020.

He stated that following the diagnosis, Ric would become close to Annalese Carson, the estranged wife of his colleague Michael Spence.

[2] 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.

[3] Quarshie appears as Ric in a two-part crossover episode with Holby City's sister show Casualty originally broadcast in March 2019.

In a statement, the actor credited Holby City with changing his career and revealed that he nearly quit acting prior to joining the show.

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.

Two of Ric's six children have appeared in the show; oldest son Leo Griffin, who Ric initially hoped would follow him into medicine, but died in series ten from a heroin overdose, and daughter Jess Griffin, who worked alongside him at Holby City Hospital as an AAU nurse.

In episode thirty-five of series eleven Ric Griffin was informed by Jayne Grayson that she has lost confidence in his leadership as Director of Surgery and was planning to ask the board to re-advertise the position.