Imogen Hollins

Charlie Clemmow wrote to the BBC asking if they would be casting for the role of Imogen, and after making continued contact, she was cast in the role.

Actress Charlie Clemmow spent two years writing over 100 letters to production companies and casting calls; Clemmow did not want to be represented by an agent as she wanted to see if she could book a role through her own means. She was watching an episode of Doctors and noticed Karen Hollins (Jan Pearson) mentioning an off-screen teenage daughter. She wrote to the BBC to ask if her daughter would appear and if they were casting for her, and after two letters and three emails, Clemmow was called for an audition for the role of Imogen. Whilst attending the audition, Clemmow had bleached white blonde hair, which she felt made her stand out against other auditionees. However, as Imogen, she wears pink and blue hair extensions. Clemmow also noted that in real life, she does not wear makeup or bright clothes like her character does, nor does she have a Birmingham accent like Imogen.[1] Despite being 23 at the time of securing the role, Clemmow continued to apply for teenage roles due to looking young for her age, and explained: "in my career it's an advantage, as I have more experience than teenage actresses going for those roles."[1]

In January 2010, Imogen was confirmed to play a key role in the storyline involving Lewis and his mental health. Clemmow said that her character acknowledges that something is wrong with Lewis but that nobody listens to her, which is "frustrating" for her.[1] She revealed that the filming for the storyline was done across 10 days at Aston University; she found the plot to be risky for a daytime programme such as Doctors, but hoped that it would work. After her experience with Lewis, Imogen feels that she cannot trust men, begins identifying as a lesbian and forms a relationship with classmate Elise. Clemmow enjoyed the arc with Elise but admitted that she was nervous for her first on-screen kiss to be with another woman.[1]

In August 2011, Imogen became the center of a bullying plot involving her and Lauren Porter (Alexis Peterman). Clemmow said that the bullying storyline is close to her heart due to being the victim of bullying at secondary school. She hoped that portraying a bullying victim in Doctors would inspire people in a similar position to Imogen to speak out about their experiences.[2] On 3 September 2012, it was confirmed that cast members Woodman and Clemmow would be departing. Clemmow's departure scenes aired on 24 September 2012.[3]

In June 2019, Clemmow made a return to Doctors and it was revealed that Imogen had formed a career as a full-time artist.[4] When asked by Allison Jones of Inside Soap what it was like to return, Clemmow said: "It's just been amazing, such a lovely experience. It's clichéd, but it is like going home. Like having a family, it's been wonderful, and I'm always delighted to be asked back. It’s great."[5] Clemmow revealed that there had often been talks to reintroduce Imogen to the soap and she was excited to portray her again due to her character having grown up since her early tenure. Clemmow felt that since Imogen had aged up, she had more layers for her to portray from an acting perspective.[5]

She's back from London pitching for an art festival that’s coming up, to be the creative producer. She doesn't want to do much fuss, just to do this pitch and see how she goes. That's how she gets tied into Ayesha's story. Then after summer break she returns again and things start to get a little bit more dramatic for her. She's been in London working in art galleries after doing an art degree at university. She's had jobs in galleries around London, and then in Shoreditch. But she finds it a little bit pretentious– she's lost her way a little bit, thinking these galleries are all for rich people. The art festival is what triggers that for her because it involves working in the community and she cares about reaching out to people who wouldn’t normally experience art.

— Clemmow on Imogen's return.[5]

Clemmow also revealed that she stays in contact with Pearson and Walker, her on-screen parents.[5] When asked if Imogen will stay in Doctors, she stated that Imogen is torn between pursuing a successful career and staying at home with her family and Sid. Clemmow explained that due to Imogen being ambitious and open-minded, she would likely leave but would be affected by leaving her parents and Sid.[5] In June 2020, Clemmow made a guest appearance in the COVID-19 special episode "Can You Hear Me?"; she filmed her scenes for the episode from home using her mobile phone.[6] In August 2021, Doctors cast member Sarah Moyle confirmed via Twitter that Clemmow was on set filming for the soap once again.[7] Her return scenes aired on 6 December 2021.[8] Then in March 2023, Clemmow was confirmed to be making another return.[9] This was later revealed to be for Karen's death, which Clemmow described as the most challenging storyline she had ever done.[10] After staying around to support Rob through his grief, she leaves after receiving a job offer in London which Rob pushes her to pursue.[11]