Potentially, he could go down a
darker path, but he chooses not to and that's what makes him such a good guy. He's aware of the choices he has, but is clear when it's comes to the difference between good and bad. I
think that's what makes the character more attractive. You can actually see him make those decisions.
Jonathan’s having marital problems at home, but at work Sarah seems to have her eye
on him; do you think he has feelings for her?
His relationship with Sarah is in context. They work very closely together and because of the stresses at work they grow close. I think like anyone else he gets confused, but he hasn't acted
upon it yet. He’s attracted to Sarah as she's good at her job and he recognises that quality. He knows he shouldn't go down that route and Jonathan is determined make his marriage work,
even if it's not working too well at the moment. I'm sure if Jonathan does decide to get closer to Sarah it will be because he's tried everything to keep his marriage together, but without
success.
There is a murder in episode one. Please can you tell us what happens?
It's another example of Jonathan being tested to do the right thing. One of the student nurses is stabbed by a drug addict and her attacker is brought in as a patient. Jonathan knows that the
guy attacked the nurse, but he has to do the right thing and treat him. He knows no matter who the patient is, it's his job to treat them. His job is to save lives and even if it’s a murderer’s life,
he needs to put that to one side and get on with the job in hand. That's what Jonathan does and he does it well. He’s so clear about it he doesn't let morally deficient people get in the way.
What research have you done for the role?
We've visited hospitals and followed consultants on their rounds of the wards. As well as that I've also talked to friends of mine who are doctors and asked their advice. I've been talking to
them constantly about medical procedures. My mum's also been quite useful as she used to be a nurse. The research we did at the hospitals was really beneficial. I've found it very interesting.
You have to work with a lot of fake blood. Does it make you squeamish?
I've watched some live operations - not too gory, but plenty of blood. I wasn't as squeamish as I thought I'd be watching the real thing. I was really nervous before going into the Theatre and
thought I'd pass out, but I was okay. I don't know what I'd have been like if it was open heart surgery or something. On set I don't get squeamish as I know it's not real. I can cope with the
fake blood. It’s the real stuff that worries me.
Your character is the link between The Royal and The Royal Today. Can you tell us what the link is? Have you met Amy Robbins and Robert Daws who play your parents?
Dr Ormerod is my dad and Jill Weatherill is my mum. I went into the family business like my parents who were both doctors. I've actually met Amy who plays Dr Weatherill in The Royal;
she popped into the studios and introduced herself to me as my mum. I haven't met Robert yet, but I'm sure I will as they film in the same hospital as us in Bradford.
What do you think will be the appeal of The Royal Today?
The scripts and writing. It's quite edgy and that's what I liked about it. It's clear the characters are dealing with modern day issues, but somehow the writers manage to create this warmth as
well, which is lovely. It's very interesting to see what’s going to happen next to the characters, as they're all very real. There is an edge to everything which I think is very interesting and adds
a new dynamic. It's fun but there's something else there. It still has the warmth of a programme which The Royal has, but it's more contemporary.
Are you enjoying being part of a brand new cast? What’s the atmosphere like on set?
Most people say this, but I have to say this cast are fantastic. They're all lovely and I'm very happy to be working on the programme. It's quite fast paced, which I like. We all get on well
and I think that's what will help make the show work. It's great and we all want the show to work and for people to enjoy it. As it's brand new, I think we all feel like we share the responsibility to
work hard and make the programme a success in the future. We’re all part of establishing something new and that's a special thing to be involved with.
Are you enjoying filming in Yorkshire?
I love Yorkshire. I'm from Harrogate in Yorkshire originally so it's nice to come home. I have loads of memories from being up here so it's nice to be back. It's funny because my sister,
Victoria Scarborough, had a guest part in The Royal, and on my first day on The Royal Today she was just over the road filming The Royal. Coincidentally, on that day, my dad was having
an operation at The Royal Infirmary Hospital in Bradford, and our family name is Scarborough - which is where the exterior scenes for The Royal and The Royal Today are filmed. There seem
to be lots of coincidences.
Image and text © ITV1
