Jessica Character Page

Words to sum up Jessica...

Vulnerable, calm, generous, controlled, dependable

In a nutshell...

Jessica's the kind of nurse you want treating you. She's generous, very caring and will go the full nine yards for what she believes in. Jessica appears to have it all on the outside, but inside she's struggling to stay afloat.

People marvel at her ability never to be ruffled, thrown or disorganised - and it's a skill not only useful with children, but also in resus where all around can be panic. Jessica is an oasis of calm and Tess and Charlie thank their lucky stars she works there.

Jessica is a strong modern woman who knows her own mind. She's grounded, organised and in control. Not in an anal or busy-body way - she's just got life sorted. Or so she thinks...

Background...

Back when she was 22, Jessica had ambition. She knew she could be a band 7 nurse by the time she was 30. But then she fell for a handsome older surgeon - and married him. They had two children within the first two years of marriage. But five years later, and Jess began to realise she wanted more than playgrounds and potties. So she took the six-month return to nursing course and started work in the ED. Her husband, Sean, wasn't exactly in favour of it, but he understood her need to work, so agreed.

Despite Sean's own hypocritical attitude to being faithful, Sean was furious at the revelation that Jessica was pregnant again - neither he nor Jessica knew whether the unborn child was his or Adam's. As a response, Sean took their two children, Amelia and Lucas, to Saudi Arabia - denying Jessica the opportunity to see them.

Love life...

Jessica started a steamy affair with Adam after they met randomly at a bar. She took the plunge and ended it after her son was involved in a serious accident. At Zoe's court case, she was shocked to discover that her husband Sean was having a fling with Zoe.

After Sean left the country, taking her children with him, Jessica and Adam have grown closer and closer

Defining moments...

• Sleeping with Adam the night before starting at Holby
• Ending her affair with Adam after her son's accident
• Discovering that Sean was having an affair with Zoe
• Getting pregnant and giving birth to baby Harry in the back of a police car
• Will Adam or Sean be revealed as the father of baby Harry?

Did you know...?

• Gillian's favourite actors are Joaquin Phoenix and Leonardo DiCaprio
• She's been taking modern dance and salsa lessons
• Her favourite Casualty character of all time is Charlie

What's Gillian been in?

• Shameless (2005) - as Sue
• Primeval (2008) - Valerie Irwin
• Brookside (1986) - Debbie McGrath