Holby City spoilers: Max teeters on breakdown, Ric wakes from his coma and Ange is heartbroken by Fletch

HOLBY City will return to BBC One next week (Tuesday November 10) with a bang as Max McGerry tries to steer the hospital through the coronavirus pandemic. 

Fans will be delighted to see the hospital drama back on TV screens after it was forced to take an extended break due to the pandemic. So here’s the lowdown on what’s happening next week in the soap’s coronavirus special...

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1. Coronavirus ravages the hospital

Holby City viewers will see the pandemic explored through the eyes of CEO Max and the rest of her team next week as the soap returns.

But as the staff wrestle to keep the hospital in control, the virus will prove to be bigger and more deadly than anyone could have predicted.

Will Max and her team reach breaking point?

2. Ric wakes up

The pandemic isn’t the only thing Max will be fighting next week as Ric Griffin wakes up following his brain surgery and goes head to head with her for control of the hospital. 

But Ric will find himself in hot water when he insists on helping a heavily pregnant patient and her baby.

Will Ric end up putting his own health at risk as well as the woman he’s trying to help?

3. Ric makes a dramatic exit

Something presumably goes wrong as viewers will be saying goodbye to Ric next week, with actor Hugh Quarshie bowing out of his role in the soap after an impressive 19 years.

Actor Hugh said of his experience: "I came very close to quitting acting entirely before being invited to join Holby City. I had felt unfulfilled and that I never quite fitted in. Holby City changed all that.

"The work became absorbing, colleagues became friends. I wouldn't have stayed so long if it hadn't been a great place to work, and leaving will be like leaving home – a place where there is warmth and a welcome, a place to which you can always return…"

Soap bosses are keeping details of Ric's departure hidden for now, and viewers will have to tune in to find out what exactly sparks his exit.

4. Fletch devastates Angie

Ange is devastated when it becomes clear that Fletch is having doubts about their relationship. 

When she confronts him and demands to know when he stopped loving her, she’s left heartbroken by his response. 

Will there be light at the end of the tunnel for the couple?

5. Sacha sparks concern

Viewers will see a grief-stricken Sacha struggling to cope in the wake of Essie’s tragic death next week. 

Sacha will have buried Essie and handed back her baby Isla next week in the soap, but will still refuse to accept any help from his friends. 

And Holby City has teased that the arrival of new character Jodie - who will be played by former Emmerdale star Sian Reese-Williams - will only make matters worse for Sacha and spark the concerns of his colleagues. 

6. Jodie gets her claws in

When Jodie, a patient with some vague and suspicious symptoms, finds herself homeless, Sacha takes pity on her and offers her a roof over her head.

The pair will then rapidly grow closer when she goes back to his and strike up a romance, despite it being only weeks after Essie’s death. 

How will Sacha’s friends react to him moving on so quickly?

And what are Jodie’s real motives?

7. Cameron is up to his old tricks

Viewers know that Cameron won’t let anything stand in the way of what he wants, and next week the villain refuses to let the pandemic ruin his chances of climbing the career ladder. 

The killer momentarily crumbles while trying to treat a dying Covid patient, but sneakily manages to cover his tracks and escape any blame. 

8. Some new faces shake things up

Viewers will see some new faces in the department next week as the pandemic causes havoc in the hospital. 

Skylar Bryce (Phoebe Pryce), Josh Hudson (Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge), Jeong Soo-Han (Chan Woo Lim) will all be making their debut next week as junior doctors. 

Will they rise to the challenge or crumble under the pressure?