Adrian "Fletch" Fletcher is a fictional character from the BBC medical dramas Casualty and Holby City, portrayed by Alex Walkinshaw. He appears in Casualty from its twenty-sixth series in 2012 until its twenty-eighth in 2014, before joining Holby City in its sixteenth series. Fletch is characterised as a fun, likeable and charming Jack the lad who considers his family very important. The character is introduced as a staff nurse in Holby City Hospital's emergency department (ED) and progresses in his career to the hospital's Director of Nursing. Fletch's personable characterisation has helped establish friendship with many characters, notably with Lloyd Asike (Michael Obiora) and Raf di Lucca (Joe McFadden). Fletch's main story in Casualty is his affair with senior nurse Tess Bateman (Suzanne Packer), which leads to the breakdown of his marriage to Natalie Fletcher (Claire Cage). The plot was explored in the online episode "Mistletoe and Rum" and contributed to his exit.
Upon joining Holby City, writers connected Fletch and Colette Sheward (Louise Delamere) through their backstory. Fletch's first major story began in 2015 when he becomes a single father following Natalie's death and struggles financially, briefly becoming involved in criminal activity. An appearance in Casualty for its thirtieth anniversary episode sparks another story for Fletch as he becomes temporarily paralysed after a stabbing. Producers then paired Fletch with Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel) for a relationship, before establishing a long-running friendship between them. Further exploration of the character's background began in 2018 when his father, Steven Fletcher (Jesse Birdsall), is introduced. His next relationship was developed with consultant Ange Godard (Dawn Steele), which was challenged.
Fletch became the focus of an issue-based story in 2020 when he is diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer. The plot was played in conjunction with Essie Harrison's (Kaye Wragg) cancer story to highlight the statistical realism of cancer. His next story portrays him as a protective father when his daughter, Evie Fletcher (Phoebe French), becomes involved with Andrei Tarpov (Sonny Poon Tip) and Kian Madani (Ramin Karimloo). The character continued to be written into dramatic stories as Evie becomes sexually exploited by Fletch's new love interest, Jeni Sinclair (Debra Stephenson). Other stories for the character include a gambling addiction, clashing with Sydney Somers (Gemma Oaten) after receiving her father's inheritance, a move to management including a stint as acting chief executive officer (CEO), and a relationship with Abigail Tait (Olivia Poulet).
Holby City was cancelled in 2022, so the show's story team devised appropriate endings for their characters. Fletch's final stories feature him becoming disillusioned with the hospital and supporting Jac through her terminal illness. The character has generally been well received by television critics. Walkinshaw also spoke frequently of the positive reception he received from fans. In particular, Fletch's relationship with Jac and his cancer story was highly praised. Sue Haasler from the Metro opined that as Fletch, Walkinshaw is "a marvellous asset [...] to the Holby cast". For his portrayal of Fletch, Walkinshaw has been shortlisted twice for Best Drama Star at the Inside Soap Awards.
Casting On 13 March 2012, it was announced that actor Alex Walkinshaw had joined the regular cast as nurse Adrian "Fletch" Fletcher. Walkinshaw began filming in March, which he looked forward to. Executive producer Johnathan Young expressed his joy at Walkinshaw's casting and commented, "He's brings bags of talent, a wealth of experience and a cheeky sense of humour to rival Fletch's!" Before joining Casualty, Walkinshaw starred as Dale Smith in crime drama The Bill, which also featured several Casualty cast members. Walkinshaw found this reassuring as he could rely on these people if he struggled with anything.
Three actors, who were deemed suited to the part, were invited to audition for the role of Fletch. After speaking to some of the show's crew and performing a screen test, Walkinshaw was cast as Fletch. Walkinshaw was attracted to the role of Fletch because he differs from the roles that Walkinshaw has previously played. He liked the role of Fletch and his journey within the series. Walkinshaw enjoyed filming in Cardiff, where the drama is filmed. He signed a year-long contract.
In 2017, Walkinshaw expressed his enjoyment at portraying Fletch and said that he did not want to leave the role. He commented, "I'd stay till all my hair falls out and I have a Zimmer frame." The actor added that he never wanted to not enjoy portraying the character and suggested he could quit when he decides that he does not enjoy it any more. Young actor Aaron Mullen portrays Fletch in a flashback appearance during the twentieth series episode "Best Christmas Ever".
Development Characterisation and family
Fletch is billed as "the ultimate cheeky chappy" who enjoys sport, drinking alcohol and women. Fletch is nice, fun, charming and flirtatious. His likeable personality makes him popular amongst staff and patients alike. Walkinshaw described Fletch as "quite a nice, rounded bloke who's very happy to be around". He told Patrick McLennan of What's on TV that Fletch is a "wheeler-dealer" with the easy ability to talk to people, making him popular. On the character, series producer Nikki Wilson commented, "You'll see a real charm, energy and playfulness from his character, which is absolutely joyous." Young's executive producer successor, Oliver Kent, said that Fletch has a "unique blend of warmth and blokiness". Walkinshaw described his character as "a laugh and a bit of a jack the lad". Jonathan Phillips, one of the show's story producers, called Fletch an "alpha male, laddish" character. A What's on TV reporter described Fletch as a "cheeky graduate" who is "super confident". Walkinshaw liked Fletch's characterisation, specifically his "cheeky chappy" persona and his occupation. He thought that Fletch would be a character that the audience could relate to. He felt that he and Fletch were similar and revelled in the opportunity to portray a friendly character. In a later interview, Walkinshaw said that he was a more serious person than Fletch as his character is very "high-energy, always moving" and he had to be more serious at home. Wilson loved the character, calling him "brilliant". Walkinshaw was handed a description of his character when he joined the series which he and producers developed after he began filming. He liked the working relationship between himself and show bosses when it came to developing the character. When filming, Walkinshaw will try to stay as his character's personality to avoid having to regain his character repeatedly. While he described this technique as "exhausting", he believed that regaining his character multiple times over the course of filming would be more tiring.
Fletch is a staff nurse at Holby City Hospital's emergency department (ED), a job which he enjoys since he likes learning new skills and meeting new people. Walkinshaw thought that Fletch suited his job. Fletch wants to bring some light-hearted fun to the ED team. Fletch likes working in the hospital because it reminds him of happy memories and his family. Walkinshaw explained that although Fletch is new to the nursing profession, he has plenty of life experience, which helps him in the job. He described Fletch as "a very competent nurse" and a fantastic addition to the team of ED staff. He told a BBC Online reporter that Fletch has the "maturity" not commonly associated with recently qualified nurses. Wilson pointed out that Fletch adds "a real sense of humour" to the ED's nursing staff. Walkinshaw explained that Fletch pushes people's limits with his humour. Lisa Spencer-Blackshaw, the senior nursing advisor at Holby City, said that Fletch resembles most male nurses and opined that he is a great nurse.
Fletch does not struggle when dealing with nervous and stressed patients. He will always go "the extra mile" for his patients and is described as "your go-to if you need straight-talking advice". Walkinshaw told Sue Haasler, writing for the book Holby City: Behind the Screen, that Fletch is the "glue between people" and said that he would emotionally support others as he felt it was as important as treating patients. He believed that Fletch's personal problems provide him with "emotional authority". Walkinshaw said that he struggled with the medical terminology as he is not medically capable. He practised bandaging with his children at home. He told Laura-Jayne Tyler of Inside Soap that he preferred wearing Fletch's nursing scrubs to the police uniform that he wore on The Bill. Walkinshaw believed that while he would be good at the bedside manner nurses use, he would struggle with the practical side of the job. Fletch is promoted to senior staff nurse in July 2013 and is a ward manager when he joins Holby City. A BBC Online reporter stated that Fletch's "executive title" does not prevent him from "getting his hands dirty and managing from the front line". Fletch is a good manager and is able to "work miracles on a dwindling budget". As an approachable person, Fletch knows everything about the nurses on his team.
Despite his fondness of women, Fletch is loyal towards his wife Natalie Fletcher (Claire Cage), who was originally named Keila, and their three children, Evie, Mikey and Ella. Walkinshaw thought Fletch's loyalty made him "all the more attractive". He explained that Fletch enjoys flirting but also enjoys returning home to his family so would not want to betray them. Walkinshaw told Daniel Kilkelly of entertainment website Digital Spy in June 2012 that he wanted Fletch's family to be introduced on-screen. He added that he believed they would make an appearance on the show. When he joins Holby City, Fletch is billed as "a proud and protective single dad to four beautifully demanding kids". Walkinshaw told What's on TV reporter Victoria Wilson that Fletch's children are his "happy place" and they mean "absolutely everything" to him. He explained that Fletch's children give him the confidence to do what needs to be done. He added that while Fletch's decision are not always the best, they are done for good reason.
Backstory and introduction
Fletch's backstory states that he was a car mechanic running his own business until the Great Recession, when he was forced to close his garage. At the time, Fletch and Natalie were expecting their third child and needed financial support. After being supported by the nursing staff in the ED while his daughter was born at the hospital, Fletch decided that he would join the nursing profession. The show spoke to the Royal College of Nursing, who told them that many people decide to become ED nurses in later life. A BBC Online contributor dubbed Fletch "a little older than your average band 5 nurse".
Fletch makes his first appearance in the twenty-sixth series episode "Zero Sum Game", broadcast on 7 July 2012. His first scenes were previewed in a promotional trailer for episodes 31-42, released on 12 April 2012. When Fletch arrives, staff nurse Lloyd Asike (Michael Obiora) is assigned to be his mentor. Fletch misses his induction with Lloyd because he is fixing clinical nurse manager Tess Bateman's (Suzanne Packer) car. Lloyd is shocked when he meets Fletch as he is expecting a young nurse who will be "slightly more impressionable". Fletch's confidence surprises Lloyd, who becomes wary of Fletch.