Patricia Potter
Encyclopedia
Patricia Caroline Potter (born 3 March 1975) is an English
actress. Best known for her role as Diane Lloyd in the popular BBC
medical drama
Holby City
, Potter has acted on stage, television, and in film. She married her partner, doctor
Jim Down, in May 2007.
with her father, David, her mother, Viv, and her sister, Kate. She refers to her parents as "the most hard-working, generous and genuine people I know." Discussing her decision to become an actress, she has stated that "It was the only thing I was ever any good at school and I was lucky enough to have a very encouraging teacher." A graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
, Potter married her partner, doctor
Jim Down, on 19 May 2007. In 2006, Potter ran the Flora London Marathon
for the Anthony Nolan Trust in 4:53:54, raising over £3,000 for the charity. She said of the experience: "That was my first and my last marathon, I admire anyone who does these runs on a regular basis. Its been very difficult to train with the work schedule at Holby and so again, I do appreciate the hard work that goes in to the marathon." She sang "Can’t Help Loving That Man of Mine" and "The Way You Look Tonight
" at co-star Tina Hobley’s
wedding in December 2006.
On 24 April 2009, it was announced that Potter has become pregnant with twins with her husband Jim. In early October 2009, Potter gave birth to twins, Edie Kate Madeline and Tom Henry.
, Much Ado About Nothing
, and Happy End. Her first television role came in 1997, when she played a florist in the third series of ITV
drama Soldier Soldier
. Potter has also appeared in The Bill
, Brookside
and the Scarlet Pimpernel
, as well as the film Shakespeare in Love
. She played herself in Ricky Gervais
's comedy Extras as an ex-girlfriend of Gervais' character Andy Millman. She said of the role: "It was quite frightening leaving the security of the Holby environment which I know so well and going onto a new set but it was a fantastic experience which I thoroughly enjoyed."
After leaving Holby City
, Potter appeared in BBC Two
sitcom Jam and Jerusalem
, before returning to theatre with the play An Eligible Man. She said of the transition: "I'm in a strange state somewhere between excitement and terror! It's been a long time since I was last on stage so I was worried that I would find it difficult and frightening but actually it's been great fun and I've thoroughly enjoyed the rehearsal process. We had our first preview last night which was quite an adrenaline rush!"
medical drama
Holby City
. While researching for the Casualty
spin off, she actually witnessed open heart surgery
to enhance her role as a medical employee, deeming the experience "fascinating", and stating: "I think I'd have made a good surgeon in real life as I'm very careful and fussy about making my stitches perfect!" On her favourite storyline in the show, she has explained: "Although it was terribly sad, I really enjoyed Steve's departure form the show - the added trauma of the abortion
and Diane's relationship with Steve meant that Diane showed some vulnerability - she's usually very strong - and I enjoyed having a good cry. It was also great to be involved in Alex's Parkinson storyline." Of her former cast members, Potter has said: "Everyone is fun to work with here - we're all really lucky to be amongst such lovely people. I work most regularly with Hugh Quarshie
who is brilliant so I'm extra lucky." In October 2006, Potter announced her intention to leave the show after four years. "I have really enjoyed and am still enjoying my time on Holby, I've had some fantastic storylines, but after 4 years on the show I felt it was time to move on to other projects. I wanted to move before I became too complacent. You have to weigh up if it's worth leaving a job that you really enjoy to face the unknown".
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
actress. Best known for her role as Diane Lloyd in the popular BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
medical drama
Medical drama
A medical drama is a television program, in which events center upon a hospital, an ambulance staff, or any medical environment.In the United States, most medical episodes are one hour long and, more often than not, are set in a hospital. Most current medical Dramatic programming go beyond the...
Holby City
Holby City
Holby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999...
, Potter has acted on stage, television, and in film. She married her partner, doctor
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
Jim Down, in May 2007.
Personal life
Potter grew up on a farm in KentKent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
with her father, David, her mother, Viv, and her sister, Kate. She refers to her parents as "the most hard-working, generous and genuine people I know." Discussing her decision to become an actress, she has stated that "It was the only thing I was ever any good at school and I was lucky enough to have a very encouraging teacher." A graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art is a leading British drama school in west London. LAMDA's president is Timothy West and its new principal is Joanna Read, who recently succeeded Peter James...
, Potter married her partner, doctor
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
Jim Down, on 19 May 2007. In 2006, Potter ran the Flora London Marathon
London Marathon
The London Marathon is one of the biggest running events in the world, and one of the five top world marathons that make up the World Marathon Majors competition, which has a $1 million prize purse. It has been held each spring in London since 1981. The race is currently sponsored by Virgin Money,...
for the Anthony Nolan Trust in 4:53:54, raising over £3,000 for the charity. She said of the experience: "That was my first and my last marathon, I admire anyone who does these runs on a regular basis. Its been very difficult to train with the work schedule at Holby and so again, I do appreciate the hard work that goes in to the marathon." She sang "Can’t Help Loving That Man of Mine" and "The Way You Look Tonight
The Way You Look Tonight
"The Way You Look Tonight" is a song featured in the film Swing Time, originally performed by Fred Astaire. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1936. The song was sung to Ginger Rogers as Penelope "Penny" Carroll by Astaire's character of John "Lucky" Garnett while Penny was busy...
" at co-star Tina Hobley’s
Tina Hobley
Tina Hobley is an English actress.-Early life:Very shy as a child, Hobley was sent to speech and drama classes in an attempt to counter her introversion...
wedding in December 2006.
On 24 April 2009, it was announced that Potter has become pregnant with twins with her husband Jim. In early October 2009, Potter gave birth to twins, Edie Kate Madeline and Tom Henry.
Career
On stage, Potter has appeared in theatrical versions of The Duchess of MalfiThe Duchess of Malfi
The Duchess of Malfi is a macabre, tragic play written by the English dramatist John Webster in 1612–13. It was first performed privately at the Blackfriars Theatre, then before a more general audience at The Globe, in 1613-14...
, Much Ado About Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy written by William Shakespeare about two pairs of lovers, Benedick and Beatrice, and Claudio and Hero....
, and Happy End. Her first television role came in 1997, when she played a florist in the third series of ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
drama Soldier Soldier
Soldier Soldier
Soldier Soldier is a British television drama series. The title comes from a traditional song of the same name.Produced by Central Television and broadcast on the ITV network, it ran for a total of seven series and 82 episodes from 1991 to 1997...
. Potter has also appeared in The Bill
The Bill
The Bill is a police procedural television series that ran from October 1984 to August 2010. It focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work...
, Brookside
Brookside
Brookside is a defunct British soap opera set in Liverpool, England. The series began on the launch night of Channel 4 on 2 November 1982, and ran for 21 years until 4 November 2003...
and the Scarlet Pimpernel
Scarlet pimpernel
Scarlet pimpernel is a low-growing annual plant found in Europe, Asia and North America...
, as well as the film Shakespeare in Love
Shakespeare in Love
Shakespeare in Love is a 1998 British-American comedy film directed by John Madden and written by Marc Norman and playwright Tom Stoppard....
. She played herself in Ricky Gervais
Ricky Gervais
Ricky Dene Gervais is an English comedian, actor, director, radio presenter, producer, musician, and writer.Gervais achieved mainstream fame with his television series The Office and the subsequent series Extras, both of which he co-wrote and co-directed with friend and frequent collaborator...
's comedy Extras as an ex-girlfriend of Gervais' character Andy Millman. She said of the role: "It was quite frightening leaving the security of the Holby environment which I know so well and going onto a new set but it was a fantastic experience which I thoroughly enjoyed."
After leaving Holby City
Holby City
Holby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999...
, Potter appeared in BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
sitcom Jam and Jerusalem
Jam and Jerusalem
Jam & Jerusalem is a British comedy-drama that aired on BBC One from 2006 to 2009. Written by Jennifer Saunders and Abigail Wilson, it starred Sue Johnston, Jennifer Saunders, Pauline McLynn, Dawn French, Maggie Steed, David Mitchell, and Sally Phillips. Earlier episodes also starred Joanna Lumley...
, before returning to theatre with the play An Eligible Man. She said of the transition: "I'm in a strange state somewhere between excitement and terror! It's been a long time since I was last on stage so I was worried that I would find it difficult and frightening but actually it's been great fun and I've thoroughly enjoyed the rehearsal process. We had our first preview last night which was quite an adrenaline rush!"
Holby City
Potter's most notable role to date was that of Diane Lloyd in BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
medical drama
Medical drama
A medical drama is a television program, in which events center upon a hospital, an ambulance staff, or any medical environment.In the United States, most medical episodes are one hour long and, more often than not, are set in a hospital. Most current medical Dramatic programming go beyond the...
Holby City
Holby City
Holby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999...
. While researching for the Casualty
Casualty (TV series)
Casualty, stylised as Casual+y, is a British weekly television show broadcast on BBC One, and the longest-running emergency medical drama television series in the world. Created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin, it was first broadcast on 6 September 1986, and transmitted in the UK on BBC One. The...
spin off, she actually witnessed open heart surgery
Open Heart Surgery
Open Heart Surgery was released on August 8, 2000 by rock band Virginwool. The band signed to Breaking/Atlantic Records after initially beginning signed to Universal Records. The album was produced and mixed by Brad Wood....
to enhance her role as a medical employee, deeming the experience "fascinating", and stating: "I think I'd have made a good surgeon in real life as I'm very careful and fussy about making my stitches perfect!" On her favourite storyline in the show, she has explained: "Although it was terribly sad, I really enjoyed Steve's departure form the show - the added trauma of the abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
and Diane's relationship with Steve meant that Diane showed some vulnerability - she's usually very strong - and I enjoyed having a good cry. It was also great to be involved in Alex's Parkinson storyline." Of her former cast members, Potter has said: "Everyone is fun to work with here - we're all really lucky to be amongst such lovely people. I work most regularly with Hugh Quarshie
Hugh Quarshie
- Early and Personal Life :Quarshie is of mixed Ghanaian, English and Dutch ancestry and was born in Accra, Ghana, to Emma Wilhelmina and Richard Quarshie, and emigrated with his family to the United Kingdom when he was aged three...
who is brilliant so I'm extra lucky." In October 2006, Potter announced her intention to leave the show after four years. "I have really enjoyed and am still enjoying my time on Holby, I've had some fantastic storylines, but after 4 years on the show I felt it was time to move on to other projects. I wanted to move before I became too complacent. You have to weigh up if it's worth leaving a job that you really enjoy to face the unknown".
Filmography
Potter undertook the following roles from her screen and televisual debut in 1993, to the present day.Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 1997 in television The year 1997 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1997.- Events :-Debuts:-Miniseries:*Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac, a reunion of the 1979–93 series*The Last Don... |
Soldier Soldier Soldier Soldier Soldier Soldier is a British television drama series. The title comes from a traditional song of the same name.Produced by Central Television and broadcast on the ITV network, it ran for a total of seven series and 82 episodes from 1991 to 1997... |
Florist | Episode "Out" |
| 1998 1998 in film -Events:* February 14 - Sharon Stone marries Phil Bronstein.* Former child star Gary Coleman is charged with assaulting a young female bus driver at a California shopping mall.-Top grossing films:... |
Shakespeare in Love Shakespeare in Love Shakespeare in Love is a 1998 British-American comedy film directed by John Madden and written by Marc Norman and playwright Tom Stoppard.... |
Third whore | |
| 1999 1999 in television The year 1999 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1999.For the American TV schedule, see: 1999-00 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-Miniseries:... |
The Scarlet Pimpernel The Scarlet Pimpernel The Scarlet Pimpernel is a play and adventure novel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy, set during the Reign of Terror following the start of the French Revolution. The story is a precursor to the "disguised superhero" tales such as Zorro and Batman.... |
Angele St. Cyr | |
| The Bill The Bill The Bill is a police procedural television series that ran from October 1984 to August 2010. It focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work... |
Claudia | Episode "Sleeping with the Enemy" | |
| Trial and Retribution III | Emily | ||
| Brookside Brookside Brookside is a defunct British soap opera set in Liverpool, England. The series began on the launch night of Channel 4 on 2 November 1982, and ran for 21 years until 4 November 2003... |
Victoria Seagram Wilcox | To 2001 | |
| 2002 2002 in television The year 2002 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2002.For the American TV schedule, see: 2002–03 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1940s:... |
Holby City Holby City Holby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999... |
Diane Lloyd | To 2007 |
| 2005 2005 in television The year 2005 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2005.For the American TV schedule, see: 2005–06 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-Miniseries:... |
The Wright Stuff The Wright Stuff The Wright Stuff is a British television chat show, hosted by Matthew Wright, and currently airing on Channel 5 each weekday morning from 9:15 to 11:10am.... |
Panelist | |
| 2006 2006 in television 2006 in television may refer to:*2006 in American television*2006 in Australian television*2006 in British television*2006 in Canadian television*2006 in Japanese television... |
Children in Need Children in Need Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long... |
Diane Lloyd | |
| Extras Extras (TV series) Extras is a British sitcom about extras working on TV and film sets and in theatre. The series was co-produced by the BBC and HBO, and is created, written, and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, both of whom also star in it... |
Andy's Old Flame | Series 2, episode 4 | |
| 2008 2008 in television The following is a list of events affecting American television in 2008. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and new channel launches.-January:-February:-March:-April:-May:-June:-July:-August:... |
Jam and Jerusalem Jam and Jerusalem Jam & Jerusalem is a British comedy-drama that aired on BBC One from 2006 to 2009. Written by Jennifer Saunders and Abigail Wilson, it starred Sue Johnston, Jennifer Saunders, Pauline McLynn, Dawn French, Maggie Steed, David Mitchell, and Sally Phillips. Earlier episodes also starred Joanna Lumley... |
Amy | Series 2, episode 6 |