Martin "Ash" Ashford is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Casualty, played by Patrick Robinson. He first appears in the series five episode "Penalty", originally broadcast on 7 September 1990. The character is introduced as a staff nurse at Holby City Hospital's emergency department (ED). Robinson was cast in 1990 and was surprised to receive a call for the role. Ash is characterised as a man of principle with high aspirations and a caring nature. He is well-respected in the department, where he also serves as the union representative. The character's early stories involve his relationship with student Nikki Wyatt (Imogen Boorman), which ends when she aborts their baby, and his promotions to senior staff nurse and charge nurse.
Through the character of Ash, the show explored racism, a story which Robinson disapproved of; he believed it was a predictable choice for a black character. In the narrative, Ash defends himself in an attack from a Neo-Nazi extremist, resulting in a suspension and being charged with assault. Robinson thought it did not match Ash's characterisation and clashed with scriptwriters over the plot. It concludes when Ash is acquitted at trial. The character's next story was lighter and lasted the course of series ten. Public relations officer Laura Milburn (Lizzy McInnerny) was introduced as a love interest for Ash, with their romance culminating in a wedding during the series finale. Through the story, Ash's father was also introduced.
Robinson decided to leave Casualty in 1995, having become disillusioned with the show. Ash and Laura depart together in the series 10 finale "Night Moves", originally broadcast on 24 February 1996. Robinson reprised the role for the two-part series 12 finale in 1998, with Ash acting as best man at Charlie Fairhead's (Derek Thompson) wedding. The character's reintroduction was announced in 2013, fifteen years since his last appearance; he returns in the series twenty-seven episode "If Not for You", originally broadcast on 9 February 2013. Ash becomes the department's new consultant, having retrained in America. His characterisation remained consistent to his original stint, with Ash retaining his nursing principals and diligent nature.
Ash's estranged teenage daughter, Ella Ashford (Tahirah Sharif), was introduced in 2013. Ella is rebellious and creates trouble for Ash, ending when Ash reports Ella to the police for stealing ketamine. Producers used the characters of Ash and junior doctor Lily Chao (Crystal Yu) to explore workplace bullying. When Ash lies to Lily about a patient dying, she takes him to a tribunal and wins. The character was written out of the show off-screen in 2015, making his final appearance in the series 29 episode "Solomon's Song", originally broadcast on 13 December 2014. His exit was criticised by fans, the press and Robinson himself. The character received a positive reception from television critics, with a reporter from The Telegraph including Ash in the show's ten best characters.
Casting Robinson was cast in the role of nurse Martin "Ash" Ashford in 1990 after touring Africa with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He did not expect to be employed after returning from the tour and was surprised to receive a call about the role of Ash.Kingsley 1995, p.65. Casualty marks Robinson's first television role. For the role, Robinson commutes between his London home and the show's studio in Bristol. Despite his role as a nurse, the actor dislikes hospitals and avoids them wherever possible. This dislike stems from a negative experience after a hockey injury.
Development Characterisation
Ash is characterised as a man of principle who has aspirations for himself. As a nurse, he is eager and follows the rules.Kingsley 1995, p.63. Hilary Kingsley, the author of Casualty: The Inside Story, described Ash as "an angel", "sensitive" and "ever-capable".Kingsley 1995, p.29.Kingsley 1995, p.31.Kingsley 1995, p.35. The character is billed as "a loving and caring person". He is well-respected by his colleagues. Ash is the department's union representative. The character's biography states that he lives in a small, mortgaged studio flat and that he has a "headstrong" sister who clashes with their mother. He is also a diabetic. Scriptwriter Peter Bowker felt that Ash is a character that viewers could relate to.Kingsley 1995, p.39.
Introduced as a staff nurse, Ash was promoted to senior staff nurse in series 7. A story in the following series sees Ash unsuccessfully interview for a promotion to clinical nurse specialist. Ken Hodges (Christopher Guard) was given the position, which "niggled" Ash as his friend Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson) was on the decision panel. Later in the series, he received a promotion to charge nurse, following the exit of Sister Lisa "Duffy" Duffin (Cathy Shipton).Kingsley 1995, p.44.
As a doctor, Ash takes a "hands-on" role and prefers helping patients rather than administration side of his role. Robinson explained that Ash feels that admin "hinder[s] rather than help[s] people". Although he has become a doctor, Ash maintains his nursing principals and will seek any necessary help when required, something which others respect. Robinson opined that Ash is the same person from his initial stint, just in a different job. He commented, "He was conscientious, did the job well and cared, and that bottom line is still there, but now he’s a doctor he’s more knowledgeable." Ash is unafraid to share his opinions and will not be a "pushover". Proving useful for his work environment, he can stay calm and is able to understand the wider issues. Robinson enjoyed portraying Ash and found him "interesting to play".
Early relationships
At the beginning of series 7, it is established that Ash is in a relationship with student Nikki Wyatt (Imogen Boorman). Robinson explained that Ash "really liked" Nikki. Producers created problems for the couple and split up briefly. After being reunited, Nikki discovers she is pregnant but struggles with this and decides to have an abortion. This results in the end of their relationship. Reflecting on his character's romantic life, Robinson thought Ash had to "suppress his feelings" and focus on his work.
Naoko Mori joined the cast as receptionist Mie Nishi-Kawa in series 8. Writers developed a friendship between Ash and Mie across the series. Towards the end of the series, Mie decides to leave Holby. An Inside Soap columnist noted it was "make or break time for their blossoming friendship". Robinson opined that his character did not have good luck with women, highlighted by the lack of developments in his friendship with Mie.
In February 1994, the show released the fictional book, One Day at a Time, focusing on the character of Ash. Robinson also released an audiobook version of the story on cassette tape. The story explores how Ash manages to cope with his professional and romantic life. Robinson enjoyed exploring the character's "complicated" personal life.
Racist attack Writers took the character of Ash on a "journey of self-discovery" during the ninth series.Kingsley 1995, pp.52-53. Kingsley noted that although Ash began the series happy in his new role with added administration responsibility, this changed after he is involved in a racist attack. When a group of Neo-Nazi extremists are admitted, they verbally assault Ash and Eddie Gordon (Joan Oliver). After Ash retaliates, he is threatened, which is overheard by receptionist Matt Hawley (Jason Merrells). Charlie sends Ash home, but as he leaves, the gang's leader Hitchens (Daniel Ryan) pulls a knife on him. Ash punches him in self-defence. Robinson explained that Ash is "under huge amounts of pressure" and is annoyed with that Eddie has been "manhandled". The actor sympathised with his character, noting how Ash has to deal with racism on a regular basis. He pointed out that Ash normally ignores the racism he receives but on this occasion, "he just snapped".
Robinson strongly disapproved of the story and clashed with scriptwriters over it, as he did not believe it was in-character for Ash. He labelled the story "pathetic" and opined that he was "hurt" over newer characters receiving better stories. Having personally experienced racism on a regular basis, Robinson did not feel Ash would respond to racism like this and believed he would actually have more "self-control and cool-headedness". Another reason he disagreed with the story was he thought it was too "obvious" for a black man to be involved in a racism plot and opined that there was more interesting stories that could be explored. The actor suffered anxiety over the story, so spoke extensively with the scriptwriters, allowing him to understand the "logic" behind the decision.
In an interview with Evening Standard Jim Thorpe, Robinson observed that "racism, in one form or another, is everywhere", including on the Casualty set. On the story, he commented, "There is a certain irony to the storyline that I hope will not be lost on people." The incident took place outside the department, a point of contention for Robinson and scriptwriters. Originally, writers located the fight inside the department but Robinson thought it did not match his professional characterisation. The actor used his own experiences of racism to understand what Ash's limit would be. Robinson viewed the decision to have the incident outside the ED as a "comprise".
Despite protests from Charlie and consultant Mike Barratt (Clive Mantle), hospital bosses suspend Ash from his job. Police arrest Ash on an actual bodily harm (ABH) charge and seek out any witnesses in the hospital staff. Robinson explained that Ash's colleagues want to help him, but nobody actually saw the attack. The actor pointed out that Ash is understanding of this fact. He told a Inside Soap columnist that Ash does not "expect people to lie to the police for him".
Other characters were incorporated into the story through the trial. Eddie struggles with the trial as she wants to support Ash, but did not see the weapon. Ahead of the trial, Ash becomes "worried" and asks Charlie and Mike to be character witnesses. Matt withholds the "critical evidence" that Ash was threatened by the gang. Hitchens begins threatening Matt to prevent him from testifying in court. Nurse Jude Korcanik (Lisa Coleman) criticises Matt and when he witnesses another incident of domestic violence at home, he agrees to testify in court. Ash is acquitted at the trail and returns to the work.
At the conclusion of the story, Robinson took a short break from the series. In the narrative, Ash begins to feel uneasy following his return and decides to take a lecturing job at the local nursing college.Kingsley 1995, p.64. Robinson told Thorpe that he was considering his future on the drama following rumours about Casualty airing two thirty-minute episodes a week. He disliked the idea of changing format and felt it would prevent stories from being developed properly. The character returns at the start of series 10.
Relationship with Laura Milburn In January 1995, Robinson told a reporter from Inside Soap that he wanted his character to be given a new love interest. He thought Ash would be better suited to an older, experienced woman rather than a "young whipper-snapper". The actor spoke to show bosses about wanting Ash to be involved in a happy relationship with a black woman. He suggested the characters to meet through work and thought it could create opportunities for black actresses. He highlighted that black actors rarely interact onscreen and this could help that issue. Robinson told Caroline Sutton of the Sunday Mirror that he regularly informed scriptwriters about how his character would talk, which sometimes created arguments. He commented, "I've had to fight for my corner as the only minority on the creative side".