Casualty (series 35)

The thirty-fifth series of the British medical drama television series Casualty began airing on BBC One in the United Kingdom on 2 January 2021. The series consists of 30 episodes, which focus on the professional and personal lives of medical and ancillary staff at the emergency department (ED) of the fictional Holby City Hospital. Loretta Preece continues her role as series producer. Sixteen regular cast members reprised their roles from the previous series and actor Bobby Lockwood joins the cast in episode two as Leon Cook, a paramedic.

Casualty
Series 35
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of episodes30
Release
Original network
Original release2 January 2021 (2021-01-02) –
present
Series chronology

Production for the series began in September 2020 following a six-month hiatus in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To protect cast and crew in the pandemic, new production protocols were implemented, including two-metre distancing at all times. This meant new filming techniques were used, including the use of plate shots and green screens. Costume and makeup also presented a challenge; personal protective equipment (PPE) became part of the costume, but face coverings did not as producers believed they limited emotion. Cast had to apply their own makeup and makeup-created injuries were stopped. Despite the reduction in other areas of production, stunts continued to be arranged as they were deemed integral to the format of the show and were often easier to arrange than swapping props.

The series explores the impact of the pandemic on ED staff and to truthfully portray the topic, discussions about how political Casualty could become occurred with Tim Davie, the Director-General of the BBC. Producers wanted the series to reflect the new landscape of the National Health Service (NHS). A special episode examining the pandemic in detail was commissioned as the series opener. Preece wanted the episode to do those closely impacted by the pandemic justice. The early series continues to explore the pandemic with a regular character dying from the virus and also progresses stories from the previous series.

Production

The series commences in the United Kingdom on 2 January 2021 on BBC One and airs on Saturday nights. It was produced by BBC Studios.[1] Loretta Preece continues her role as series producer.[2] The series consists of 30 episodes.[3] Production for series 35 commenced in September 2020,[4] following a six-month hiatus after production was suspended in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] Consequently, the show took multiple transmission breaks during the previous series to spread episodes out across the year.[6] Kate Oates, the head of continuing drama at BBC Studios, expressed her delight at resuming filming and to returning to transmission.[4] Due to new techniques implemented in production, episode runtimes for the series were shortened from the usual 50 minutes to 40 minutes.[4] Despite this, the opening episode airs for 54 minutes.[7] Following new nationwide restrictions in November 2020, it was confirmed that Casualty would continue filming and would not pause production again.[8]

Promotion

The series was promoted through multiple trailers and each episode received a preview clip before broadcast.[3] A promotional trailer for the series was released on 16 December 2020 and features segments from the early episodes of the series. As well as previewing new and continuing stories, the trailer revealed stunts featured in the series, including an exploded bomb and an ambulance crashing into a river.[9] To further promote the new series, a Christmas-themed video of the cast, led by George Rainsford, was released on 17 December 2020.[10]

Filming
Characters used PPE, as worn by a nurse (pictured), as their costume.

Production protocols were enforced to maintain the safety of the cast and crew. Additionally, the physical distancing measures enforced by the British government were adhered to. The measures require cast and crew to maintain a two-metre distance at all times.[4] Preece told Sophie Dainty of Digital Spy that this was challenging as the show works on "close contact medicine, stunts and emotional exchanges", which was hard to film while adhering to physical distancing measures.[2] To maintain distancing in scenes with multiple characters, plate shots were filmed. Each shot includes different actors, stood distanced, and in post-production, the shots were edited together to make it appear like one shot.[11] Green screens were also used to make actors appear closer together than they were allowed to be. Producer Mat McHale confirmed that the difference would not be noticeable on-screen.[11] Preece reiterated this and promised that the show had not "comprised" on its quality as a result of changes to filming.[2]

During production, producers faced a challenge of face masks, which are compulsory in hospitals. Preece believed that after much exploration, these masks limited the emotion of scenes, so they were not worn all the time.[11] Since the drama is set in a hospital, characters used personal protective equipment (PPE) as part of their costume. To avoid using NHS resources, Casualty sourced their PPE from an alternative supplier and despite this, it maintains effectiveness, allowing them to occasionally breach the physical distancing measures.[12] Due to the protocols enforced, cast were required to apply their own makeup with verbal support from the makeup artists. The show regularly uses makeup-created injuries, such as cuts and bruises, but this was stopped due to the new protection measures.[12] Additionally, to film kissing scenes, the show hired the partners of the actors to be body doubles.[12] Oates was keen to not stop the stunts involved in the drama as she believed they were integral to its formula.[12] Preece revealed that much "planning and innovative thinking" had gone into the stunts, ensuring that the show's "trademark stunts" were unaltered.[2] Oates and Preece agreed that often, stunts were easier to arrange than swapping props, due to the time and money involved in them.[12][2]

Storyline development

Series 35 explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on staff in emergency departments, maintaining the drama's tradition of "[reflecting] the difficult realities of the NHS".[4] Preece felt it was hard to reflect the pandemic from a planning perspective as they could not predict the impact it had on EDs.[2] To accommodate the new stories, all pre-existing scripts were scrapped and the pre-planned stories were rewritten. Oates explained that the decision was taken as the previous material "[would not] have felt relevant".[12] Oates was pleased to portray stories which "reflect the extraordinary times we are living through".[4] She entered discussions with Tim Davie, the Director-General of the BBC, about how political Casualty could be about the pandemic, as it is one of his concerns; he permitted in-character political statements. Oates was pleased with this as she did not believe the show could be "truthful" without that and also feared it could make the show "boring".[12] She wanted the show to reflect new landscape of the NHS and hoped that it would spark new topical conversations. She commented, "Hopefully, on shows like ours, we can make those social points at the same time as our heroes are seen in their best Avengers style embracing the same kind of life-or-death situations they always have."[12]

Charles Venn, who portrays Jacob Masters, believed the episode was vital for reflecting the pandemic.

A special episode examining the pandemic in detail was commissioned to open the series. The episode is billed as "one of [Casualty's] most powerful episodes to date" and explores clinical lead Connie Beauchamp (Amanda Mealing) managing the department with support from senior nurses Jacob Masters (Charles Venn) and Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson), consultant Will Noble (Jack Nolan) becoming disillusioned with the NHS, and paramedic Fenisha Khatri (Olivia D'Lima) trying to protect her unborn baby.[1] The episode is set between March and summer 2020, across the first wave of the pandemic.[2] The episode was announced on 7 September 2020,[4] with further details, including a promotional image, released on 10 December 2020.[1] The story team worked with medical advisors to accurately portray the experiences of medics and front-line workers.[2] Venn felt it was vital to reflect the pandemic through this episode. He told Joe Anderton of Digital Spy, "It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge that. I don't want to say we are paying homage, but for everyone who has lost loved ones during this time, it was a must. It would be very strange to ignore it."[13] He dubbed the episode "a real tearjerker and a real rollercoaster".[13] Preece was proud of the episode and felt it was important to showcase the impact on EDs. She commented, "We knew we had to do medics, COVID victims and survivors and their relations justice and I strongly believe that we have."[2]

Writers concluded and progressed stories from the previous series. This occurs in early episodes, which were set in summer and autumn 2020. Preece noted that this allows Casualty to continue exploring stories including Fenisha's pregnancy, a love triangle between Dylan Keogh (William Beck), Faith Cadogan (Kirsty Mitchell) and Lev Malinovsky (Uriel Emil), and Connie and Jacob's romance.[2] She added that writers wanted to explore the complications of Fenisha's pregnancy due to the baby's father, Ethan Hardy (George Rainsford), having Huntington's disease.[2] Other stories further explored from the previous series are Charlie's grief, following the death of his wife, and nurse Jade Lovall's (Gabriella Leon) deafness. The latter was explored in a special episode in the previous series with focus taken on the challenges of lip reading with PPE and masks in the opening episode.[2]

Producers made the pandemic a recurring theme throughout the rest of the series, but were keen for it to not dominate stories. On this, Preece commented that Casualty "offers the audience a slice of Saturday night escapism".[2] Mealing added that the audience have lived through it and do not want to revisit it weekly.[14] In the series, the health impacts of COVID-19 were explored through the characters of Jacob and Dylan, who both contract the virus.[4][2] Noel Garcia (Tony Marshall), a receptionist in the ED, also contracts the virus and is killed off, making it the first episode of a soap in the United Kingdom to portray the death of a character from the virus. Preece thought that his death would be "impactful" and felt it reflected those who have died from the virus: they all "have been treasured by colleagues and [...] have families who love them".[15] While the death of a regular character had been announced prior to transmission, Marshall's departure had been embargoed.[14] Writers used the character's death to set up new stories.[15] Mealing explained that her character Connie would take "personal responsibility" for the death and would struggle in the aftermath, viewing it as "her failing".[14] The show's story team also created new stories for the series. One story focuses on "new territory" for paramedic Jan Jenning (Di Botcher) and her police officer wife Ffion Morgan (Stirling Gallacher). The other story is a new plot for nurse Marty Kirkby (Shaheen Jafargholi), which begins mid-series and was billed by Preece as different to his other stories.[2]

Cast

The thirty-fifth series of Casualty features a cast of characters working for the NHS within the emergency department of Holby City Hospital and the Holby Ambulance Service.[16] Most cast members from the previous series reprise their roles in this series. William Beck appears as Dylan Keogh, a consultant in emergency medicine, while Di Botcher portrays Jan Jenning, the operational duty manager at Holby Ambulance Service.[1] Olivia D'Lima stars as Fenisha Khatri, a paramedic, and Jason Durr features as David Hide, a senior staff nurse.[4] Uriel Emil plays paramedic Lev Malinovsky,[1] and Amanda Henderson appears as staff nurse Robyn Miller.[7] Shaheen Jafargholi and Gabriella Leon reprise their roles as staff nurses Marty Kirkby and Jade Lovall, respectively.[11] Tony Marshall features as Noel Garcia, a receptionist,[7] and Amanda Mealing portrays Connie Beauchamp, the department's clinical lead and a consultant in emergency medicine.[1] Kirsty Mitchell stars as Faith Cadogan, an advanced clinical practitioner (ACP),[4] and Neet Mohan appears as Rash Masum, a F1 doctor.[11] Jack Nolan portrays Will Noble, a consultant in pediatric emergency medicine,[1] and George Rainsford plays consultant Ethan Hardy.[4] Original cast member Derek Thompson appears as Charlie Fairhead, a senior charge nurse and emergency nurse practitioner.[1] Charles Venn stars as Jacob Masters, the department's clinical nurse manager.[1] Additionally, three cast members feature in a recurring capacity: Harry Collett appears as Oliver Hide, the son of David,[17] Stirling Gallacher plays Ffion Morgan, a police officer,[18] and Jacey Sallés portrays Rosa Cadenas, a healthcare assistant.[19]

Mealing confirmed on 24 December 2020 that a regular character would be killed off in the opening episode after contracting coronavirus.[14] The episode features the death of Noel, whose identity was embargoed until transmission. Preece called Marshall, who has appeared in the show since 2008, "a much loved member of the behind-the-scenes Casualty family" and expressed her sadness at the character's death. She added that many people cried when filming Marshall's final scenes and that he would be missed.[15] Nolan's departure from the series was revealed on 31 December 2020, and Will departs in the third episode.[20][21]

The casting of actor Bobby Lockwood in the role of paramedic Leon Cook was announced on 16 December 2020. He is billed as "handsome, charming, loveable" whose "endless excitement" can cause tension with some colleagues.[22] Lockwood expressed his pride at representing front line workers in his role. Preece was pleased with Lockwood's casting and liked the character. She opined that both Lockwood and Leon have "the most extraordinary comic timing".[22] Leon first appears in the second episode.[2]

Preece confirmed that multiple former cast members would return to Casualty during the series. She expressed her delight at the returns and revealed that one return would "[come] from a very unexpected direction".[2] Emily Carey reprises her recurring role as Grace Beauchamp-Strachan, the daughter of Connie, in the series. Her return was confirmed in a promotional trailer released on 16 December 2020. The character last appeared in series 32.[9] Preece said that Grace returns "beautiful and forthright" with a wish to be "appreciated" by Connie.[2] She also expressed her delight at Carey's return and looked forward to exploring her character's new stories.[2] Grace returns in episode 7.[23] On 17 December 2020, it was announced that actor Michael Stevenson had reprised his role as paramedic Iain Dean, following his departure in the previous series. Stevenson expressed his delight and looked forward to exploring stories for Iain.[10] After a guest stint in the previous series, actress Adele James returned in episode five as Tina Mollett, an agency nurse. She becomes involved in a relationship with Jacob.[24] James' agent confirmed that she had been promoted to the regular cast.[25]

The series features several recurring characters and multiple guest stars. It was announced on 3 February 2020 that Chris Gordon would reprise his role as Ross West, the son of Jan, as part of "a huge and terrifying story" involving the character and Ffion.[26] In October 2020, Gallacher revealed, via Twitter, that comedian Rosie Jones would guest star in an episode of the series.[27] Preece confirmed that she would appear in the ninth episode and the role would showcase a "whole new side" of Jones. She added that her character would appear with Jan.[2]

Episodes
No.
overall		No. in
series		EpisodeDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [28]
11821Episode 1[7]Steve HughesKevin Rundle2 January 2021 (2021-01-02)N/A (<5.19)[lower-alpha 1]
The ED responds to the COVID-19 pandemic when their case numbers rise. Will complains to Connie about the lack of resources and how they have all been working long hours, and she agrees that the NHS was already "on its knees" before the pandemic. Fenisha lies to Jan that she is asthmatic so that she can shield without having to disclose her pregnancy. In order to do more to help the frontline, Rosa changes roles and becomes a healthcare assistant. Jade struggles to understand people when they are wearing masks, as she cannot read their lips and therefore, her role at the hospital changes to accompanying patients while they die. Connie and Jacob clash when he demands she investigate how ethnic minorities are more at risk of contracting the virus but she counters that there simply isn't enough time. Dylan, Jacob and Noel contract coronavirus. To protect their son Luka Malinovsky (Tom Mulheron), who has cancer and is shielding, Faith stops working and stays at home, while Lev moves out of the family home so he can continue working. Though Dylan and Jacob recover, Noel is placed on a life support machine; Connie breaks down to Charlie and admits that she blames herself for not adequately protecting her staff. Charlie explains that he feels guilty for sending an elderly patient back to her carehome without testing her for COVID-19 because she returned to the ED and died. Connie is reluctant to call Noel's family, but Charlie convinces her that she should do it; they agree to turn off his life support machine and he dies with Connie at his side. Connie then tells the team, who agree to continue working in Noel's honour.
11832Episode 2[29]Ruth CarneyOliver Frampton9 January 2021 (2021-01-09)N/A
New paramedic Leon makes a bad first impression on Jan when he mistakes her for a cleaner. Will continues to challenge the hospital's procedures and disagrees with Connie's decision to call the police about a child abusing his mother; he then resigns from his job. Faith is welcomed back to work by her colleagues, but Dylan is hostile with her. Lev moves back home and Faith mentions that Dylan accused him of having an affair with a man; Lev does not deny it and instead, he begs Faith not to break up their family. Connie struggles in the aftermath of Noel's death and is told that his memorial needs removing from the ED entrance; she asks Rosa to move it to the peace garden. She becomes upset when she reads a card from Noel's daughter, Honey Wright (Chelsee Healey), telling the team not to blame themselves; Jacob reads the card to the team. When Jacob confronts Connie for working too hard and not accepting his support, she cancels their plans and ends their relationship.
11843Episode 3[30]Andy NewberyColin Bytheway16 January 2021 (2021-01-16)TBD
On his last day, Will tries to make peace with the rest of his colleagues. Following a heated meeting with Connie, Will tells Ethan that he is going to ask Fenisha to leave with him to Ireland. However, Fenisha informs Will of her pregnancy and the fact that she loves Ethan. Will helps Fenisha see that she needs to tell Ethan about the pregnancy before making peace with Connie and leaving the department. Before Fenisha has a chance though, Ethan discovers she is pregnant and refuses to talk to her. Robyn makes an effort to help a patient, and notes that it is the first time since the beginning of the pandemic that she has been able to help a patient on a personal level. Rash strives to get a date with ITU consultant Enalia, who later reveals that she is in an open marriage, and Rash declines her advances.
11854Episode 4[31]Andy NewberyHilary Frankland23 January 2021 (2021-01-23)TBD
Ethan confides in Rash about Fenisha's pregnancy, and he states that he is not ready to have children. A confused Rash questions him until Ethan tells him about having the Huntington's gene. Ethan informs Fenisha that he wants no involvement with the baby, and does not tell her about the gene. Faith, Dylan and a paramedic called Pravi head out to another hospital to collect a transfer patient, until a lorry collides with the ambulance. Pravi is killed instantly from the impact, and the ambulance is left hanging over the edge of a large body of water. Due to the shift of weight moving would cause, Faith has to stay inside of the ambulance while Dylan attempts to find help. Lev tracks her location on his phone and arrives at the ambulance, where he pulls her out seconds before the ambulance falls into the water. After Faith is taken into hospital, Lev punches Dylan.
11865Episode 5[32]Steve M KellySimon Norman30 January 2021 (2021-01-30)TBD
Roy Scaddon (Alan Williams) enters the hospital wearing an explosive belt, intending on avenging his wife's death, which he blames Jacob for. Roy believes that Jacob does not care for her death, until he recites memories of her from when he treated her. He then tells Jacob to run away, before he activates the explosives. In the aftermath Connie attempts to tell Jacob how she really feels, however, she is left devastated when Jacob goes to the pub with nurse Tina. While the staff are dealing with Roy, Marty is left to care for a patient. His father Graham, who is in hospital after sawing his finger off, accompanies and supports Marty when he has to decompress the patient's chest.
11876Episode 6[33]Steve M KellyDana Fainaru6 February 2021 (2021-02-06)TBD
After visiting a case of domestic abuse, a patient accidentally reveals to Jan that Fenisha is pregnant. An angry Jan confronts her on why she kept it private for so long, and Fenisha responds that she did not feel comfortable telling her, due to her harsh nature. David's car breaks down, and when the repair company are unable to come out and fix it, Leon fixes it for him. Marty overhears Lev and Faith talking about Lev cheating on her with a man, and later provides him with support for his situation. However, Lev responds with anger, claiming that he does not want to be anything like Marty.
11887Episode 7[34]John MaidensKaterina Watson & Hilary Frankland13 February 2021 (2021-02-13)TBD

References
  1. "Casualty returns to BBC One on 2 January - first look picture released ahead of special episode" (Press release). BBC. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  2. Dainty, Sophie (19 December 2020). "17 huge Casualty spoilers and teasers for 2021 from show boss Loretta Preece". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  3. "Series 35". BBC Online. BBC. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  4. "Filming resumes on Casualty with powerful episode highlighting difficult realities of battling coronavirus in the Emergency Department" (Press release). BBC. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  5. Cremona, Patrick (18 March 2020). "BBC halts filming on all continuing dramas including Holby City and Casualty". Radio Times. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  6. Dainty, Sophie (8 October 2020). "When is Casualty returning and what will happen?". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  7. Kevin Rundle (writer); Steve Hughes (director); Mat McHale (producer) (2 January 2021). "Episode 1". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  8. Alexander, Susannah (4 November 2020). "Casualty and Holby City share update on filming ahead of second UK lockdown". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  9. Alexander, Susannah (16 December 2020). "Casualty confirms Grace Beauchamp return and Fenisha baby reveal in brand new trailer". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  10. Edwards, Chris (17 December 2020). "Casualty confirms Iain Dean return as Michael Stevenson reprises role". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  11. Preece, Loretta; McHale, Mat (29 October 2020). Casualty Return to Filming. BBC Online. BBC. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  12. Brown, David (29 October 2020). "'Like walking into hell': Casualty and Holby City tap into the Covid crisis". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  13. Anderton, Joe (17 October 2020). "Casualty star Charles Venn teases show's 'tearjerking' return episode". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  14. Dainty, Sophie; Anderton, Joe (24 December 2020). "Casualty star Amanda Mealing confirms shock character death in COVID episode". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  15. Dainty, Sophie (2 January 2021). "7 ways Casualty's heartbreaking Covid episode sets up new stories". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  16. "Casualty - 6 September 1986". History of the BBC. BBC. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  17. Julians, Joe (5 January 2021). "Harry Collett confirms he is returning to Casualty as Oliver Hide: "See you at Holby"". Radio Times. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  18. Gallacher, Stirling [@wirlygallacher] (26 October 2020). "Morning Cardiff! #someonesgoingtogetarrested" (Tweet). Retrieved 10 December 2020 – via Twitter.
  19. Reilly, Elaine (29 December 2020). "Casualty spoilers: Devastated Connie faces COVID-19 crisis". What's on TV. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  20. Lovejoy, Hannah (31 December 2020). "Casualty confirms exit for Will Noble as Jack Nolan bows out of role". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  21. "Casualty". BBC Media Centre. BBC. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  22. "Bobby Lockwood joins BBC One's Casualty as paramedic Leon" (Press release). BBC Media Centre. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  23. "Series 35 - Episode 7". Radio Times. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  24. Alexander, Susannah; Dainty, Sophie (31 January 2021). "Casualty star Charles Venn teases new romance for Jacob Masters after Connie split". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  25. "Adele James - CV". Creative Artists Management. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  26. Crick, Claire (3 February 2020). "Excitement as this Coronation Street favourite reveals new role in Casualty". What's on TV. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  27. Gallacher, Stirling [@wirlygallacher] (27 October 2020). "Today I have had the absolute pleasure of working with the wonderful @josierones... This is a pic before she changed into costume... she smells really bad but she's lovely" (Tweet). Retrieved 10 December 2020 – via Twitter.
  28. "Four-screen dashboard". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  29. Oliver Frampton (writer); Ruth Carney (director); Dafydd Llewellyn (producer) (9 January 2021). "Episode 2". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  30. Colin Bytheway (writer); Andy Newbery (director); Sean Gleeson (producer) (16 January 2021). "Episode 3". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  31. Hilary Frankland (writer); Andy Newbery (director); Sean Gleeson (producer) (23 January 2021). "Episode 4". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  32. Simon Norman (writer); Steve M Kelly (director); Rebecca Hedderly (producer) (30 January 2021). "Episode 5". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  33. Dana Fainaru (writer); Steve M Kelly (director); Rebecca Hedderly (producer) (6 February 2021). "Episode 6". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  34. Katerina Watson, Hilary Frankland (writer); John Maidens (director); Jo Johnson (producer) (13 February 2021). "Episode 7". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.

Footnotes
  1. Not reported in the weekly top 15 programmes for four-screen viewer ratings.
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