Frieda Petrenko

From Ukraine, Frieda is a sardonic goth. She's as cynical as she is honest. Happy to take the night shift to avoid the politics and people that make life too complicated. She won't indulge egos and her bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired, but beneath it all, she does have a real compassion and vulnerability. She's unlikely to forge friendships with ease but when she does it's likely to be one she'll fight tooth and nail for.

— BBC Online[1]

The official Holby City website describes Frieda as "sincere, compassionate, supportive [and] honest", but "self conscious, emotionally closed [and] sarcastic."[1]

To prepare for the role, Fedori carried out some medical research. She also researched the goth subculture, as it is "far removed" from who she is. She admitted that there were moments where she felt that she had to do more research.[2] Fedori also regularly spoke with the costume department about her character's wardrobe, commenting that it is "just constantly expanding."[2] The actress felt Frieda was more defined compared to some characters she has played in the past and that she had longer to work on Frieda's "subtleties".[2] She thought there were some similarities between herself and the character, explaining that she and Frieda were both straightforward people and not good at sugar-coating things. She also thought that she was nerdy like Frieda and enjoyed studying.[2] In one storyline, Frieda is ordered to remove her goth make-up when a patient suffers an allergic reaction to it. Without her "mask", she loses her confidence.[3] She later rallies after making a successful diagnosis, but ultimately decides that she needs to be herself and reapplies her eyeliner and lipstick.[3]

Frieda is introduced as a nurse, but she soon decides to retrain as a foundation doctor and takes her F1 doctor's exams, which leads to a "crisis of faith".[4] Frieda is distracted from opening her results when she treats fellow student doctor Jez Atkins (Jake Fairbrother), who is injured falling from his bike.[4] Frieda's "fears are compounded" when she talks to Jez about the exams, but after diagnosing him with Crohn's disease, Frieda is called up to see CEO Henrik Hanssen (Guy Henry), who informs her that she has achieved the best results in the region.[4]

The character departed the series for a few episodes in series 13, as she travelled to Ukraine for her father's funeral. Series producer Myar Craig-Brown said that when she returns, Frieda has "more determination to focus on her job."[5] She immediately forms a rivalry with F1 doctor Lulu Hutchinson, who "challenges" her.[5] Frieda initially appears to be coping with her father's death, but she begins to find it harder to concentrate and avoids facing up to her emotions.[6] Her colleague Sacha Levy is concerned when she struggles to deliver news of a patient's death to their family members. But Frieda soon insists on scrubbing in for surgery. Fedori commented, "There's a huge elephant in the room because of Frieda's grief."[6]

She and Lulu compete for a chance to be part of the procedure, and Lulu tries flirting with Michael Spence to increase her chance of being chosen. Frieda is chosen to go into theatre, but when she is delayed, Lulu takes her place. When Frieda does finally get there, she realises she cannot handle the surgery and choose to step away.[6] Fedori thought it was an important step for Frieda to admit that she is struggling. When asked by an Inside Soap writer if Frieda's softer side would emerge, Fedori replied "Oh, her character isn't going to change. She'll always be the type of person who says exactly what she thinks!"[6]

On 18 April 2012, Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy reported that Fedori had filmed her final scenes as Frieda, and that she would depart during the following month.[7] Of Fedori's exit, a spokesperson for the BBC stated "Olga has been a fantastic asset to Holby City and will be sorely missed by the cast and crew. Everyone wishes her all the best for the future."[7] Consultant series producer Justin Young later revealed that Fedori had to leave the show quickly for personal reasons. Young also said that her character was beloved by the team, and he wished they had had the opportunity to make her exit bigger.[8]

Frieda returned during the episode broadcast 22 September 2015.[9] The show's series producer Simon Harper had remained in contact with Fedori.[10] She emailed him to inform him that she wanted to return. Harper was planning Paul Bradley's exit as long-standing character Professor Elliot Hope from the series. He believed that Frieda's return was "brilliant timing" because it was a "treat" for viewers who would be upset by Elliot's departure.[10]

On 4 October 2017, Kilkelly (Digital Spy) confirmed that Fedori had reprised the role for a six-month guest stint.[11] Frieda will return in December, after Elliot asks her to work with Jac Naylor.[11] Harper stated, "Frieda has a special place in the heart of the viewers, who I know will be as thrilled as I am to welcome her back to the wards. She's a familiar face back at the hospital at a time of change, with her trademark deadpan wit and unique outlook very much intact."[11] He added that viewers should expect "fireworks" between Jac and Frieda, who does not want to be at Holby.[11] Frieda returns in the nineteenth series episode "We Need to Talk About Fredrik", originally broadcast on 12 December 2017, as a qualified registrar who clashes with Jac.[12]

On 26 March 2019, Frieda left the series after Fedori decided to quit the role. The character departs in the twenty-first series episode "Running".[13] The exit was not announced beforehand and was a surprise for the audience.[13] In the narrative, Frieda leaves Holby to work for an aid organisation where she can "make a difference" after facing an "ethical dilemma" following a long-running struggle.[14]