Gemma Dean

''Casualty'' is a British medical drama television series that premiered on 6 September 1986 on BBC1. The series was created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin. It is set in the fictional Holby City Hospital, in the equally fictitious city of Holby, and features occasional crossovers of characters and plots with spin-off show ''Holby City''. ''Casualty'' follows the professional and personal lives of the doctors, nurses, paramedics, hospital management and patients at Holby General. It features an ensemble cast of regular characters, and began with ten main characters in its first series, all but one – Charlie Fairhead (played by Derek Thompson) have since left the series. Many main characters have been written in and out of the series since. In addition, ''Casualty'' features guest stars each week, as well as recurring guests that take part in story arcs that span a portion of a series or multiple series.

Main characters

A

Matthew Afolami

Matthew Afolami, portrayed by Osi Okerafor, first appears in the thirty-fifth series, in an episode originally broadcast on 29 May 2021. The character and Okerafor's casting was announced on 20 May 2021, alongside that of Elinor Lawless in the role of Stevie Nash. Matthew is billed as an experienced locum registrar who has worked in "trouble spots" across the world. The character shares a backstory with established character Fenisha Khatri (Olivia D'Lima); she jilted him on their wedding day, something which is explored in his first episode through flashbacks. Loretta Preece, the show's series producer, praised the relationship between Okerafor and D'Lima. Writers used Matthew's introduction to create tension between Fenisha and her love interest, Ethan Hardy ( George Rainsford). Okerafor expressed his joy at joining the cast and looked forward to playing Matthew's devotion to his patients, something which he liked. Preece praised Okerafor for his talent, describing him as "handsome and debonair, sensitive and steadfast, ndpassionate and unpredictable". She added that his "beautifully layered performance" would develop the character further than being a "classic romantic leading man".

Jez Andrews

Jez Andrews, played by Lloyd Everitt, made his first screen appearance on 12 March 2016. The character and Everitt's casting was announced on 29 January 2016, whilst further details were announced on 24 February 2016 with the casting of David Hide (Jason Durr) and Elle Gardner (Jaye Griffiths). Executive producer Oliver Kent described the three castings as "wonderful" and said their storylines would be "brilliantly vibrant, bold and gripping". Jez is characterised as a "young, ludicrously handsome and very openly bisexual" paramedic.

Kent teased the dynamic between Jez and his paramedic colleague, Iain Dean ( Michael Stevenson), calling it "fun" and "unlike anything we've seen before". Tasha Hegarty of ''Digital Spy'' described Jez as "Iain's new partner in crime". It was announced that Jez would "fail to impress" Iain with his "cheeky banter and lax attitude" upon his arrival, and would struggle to replace Iain's former colleague, Dixie Dixon (Jane Hazlegrove). Kent also revealed that a "big" friendship would be established between Jez and Max Walker ( Jamie Davis). Everitt had already filmed his first scenes when his casting was announced and revealed that his favourite thing to film had been a scene where he rescued a girl from falling from a cliff, "I actually felt it was a real life situation and that excited me." Of his casting, Everitt said, "I feel honoured to be joining such a successful show and look forward to bringing a different essence to a programme that's synonymous with British culture and television. It's actually the first programme I remember watching when I was a child at my Nan's house - there's a great beauty to that."

Jez arrived and tried flirting with Connie Beauchamp ( Amanda Mealing) until his colleague, Iain Dean ( Michael Stevenson), revealed she was the department's clinical lead. Jez and Iain escorted Emilie Groome (Carol Royle) to a hospice, where she would spend her final days. They stop the ambulance during the journey whilst her sons and doctors, Ethan Hardy ( George Rainsford) and Caleb Knight (Richard Winsor), treat her. Jez allows Cal to steal the ambulance so he can take Emilie to the seaside. Jez then spends the rest of the day trying to impress Iain with his banter whilst they search for a lift back to the hospital. Jez finally wins Iain over and they receive a lift back to the hospital. Jez installs a basketball hoop in the ambulance bay and befriends Max Walker ( Jamie Davis), who often spends time playing basketball with Jez. Max and Robyn Miller (Amanda Henderson) then begin renting a room to Jez.

Jez went on a night out with Isaac Mayfield, after he had a row with boyfriend Dominic Copeland resulting in a one-night stand. This eventually leads to Mayfield physically, sexually and emotionally abusing Copeland in sister show Holby City, resulting in his dismissal. He later pursues Louise Tyler (Azuka Oforka) and, although she tells him she is uncomfortable knowing he has been with both men and women, he eventually wins her over and the two go on a date. He later expresses concerns to Iain that he thinks Louise expects too much after she invites him to an expensive restaurant. He bails on their date, wanting to avoid being embarrassed because he can't afford any of the food and hooks up with a guy. To his horror, Jez wakes up in the young man's bed and discovers that he is Elle's son. He is injured after falling from Elle's drainpipe in his attempt to hide from her. Her son later visits the hospital to give Jez his ID which he had left behind, leading Elle to find out about them sleeping together. Although angry at first, Elle eventually calms down and tells Jez to use the front door next time he wants to stay over.

When Roy Ellisson is brought into the ED following a fight, he abuses Jez in the ambulance for being black and "queer". Jez later reveals that he knows the man Roy was fighting with from bars in town. He tries to support Mickey Ellisson after discovering that he is gay and helps him apologize to the man his father beat up. He encourages Mickey to come out and provides reassurance when Roy rejects him. After his father dies, Mickey goes to see Jez at the ambulance station and the two share a kiss.

Jez and Mickey commence a relationship, keeping it a secret from Mickey's family. Mickey participates in a race-related assault on a shopkeeper and is injured during the getaway, landing him back in the ED. When Mickey is almost discovered, he racially insults Jez to demonstrate his loyalty to his brother. Grieving and seething with injustice, Ethan reveals Mickey's relationship to Scott. Scott goes to attack Jez, but Mickey shields him and says he made the wrong choice. Scott attacks them with a knife, and in the struggle is tossed over a second floor balcony, leaving him badly injured. Denise arrives and disowns Mickey, and Scott later dies.

The 'shot-in-one-take' episode "One" opens with Jez bravely dragging a Korean woman from a burning building. He finds out that her baby was left behind in the building, which leaves him devastated. This event completely shatters Jez's confidence and he begins to take sick days from work. He freezes up when a fire is started in his apartment and Robyn tries to pass him her baby. Because of the timing of the fire, it is concluded that Jez was targeted in the attack, and that Denise Ellisson was involved. This event is the last straw for Mickey who says he is going travelling and invites Jez to come with him so they can escape everything and start anew. Jez wonders what he has to lose at this point and considers joining him, but when he reacts quickly and saves Robin's baby from choking, he appears to be at peace with staying at Holby. After a talk with Iain he changes his mind and meets Mickey at the airport. The Holby staff later receive photographs of the couple relaxing in Mexico.

Linda Andrews

Linda Andrews, played by Christine Tremarco, made her debut appearance in the twentieth episode of the twenty-fourth series, broadcast on 16 January 2010. Linda was originally introduced to aid the departure of Jessica Harrison (Gillian Kearney), who she trained to be a nurse with. Linda told Jessica that she is moving to America and "almost flippant remarked" that Jessica join her, which she agreed to. Tremarco reprised the role as a regular cast member in 2011 and Linda returned to the hospital as a clinical nurse manager, but was later demoted to staff nurse. She was billed as a "fun-loving nurse" who is "determined to become more sensible." Tremarco said she was "delighted" to be invited back to the show, adding that it was "so exciting joining a long-running show" and how "everyone has given me such a warm welcome". To prepare for the role, Tremarco observed a real nurse, who "was incredibly helpful" because she is a "squeamish person". Tremarco described Linda as "a party girl" with an "attitude that she's young free and single". She added that she was "fun and outgoing", but had "a heart of gold" and would "do anything for anyone."

The show introduced Linda's family in 2012, beginning with her "recovering drug addict" sister Denise Andrews (Kate McEvoy) who hasn't had "any contact in years". Of Denise's introduction, producer Nikki Wilson said, "Denise suddenly arrives with two kids in tow, and leaves them with Linda. So party girl Linda finds herself responsible for two children - which will affect her working life in a big way." Wilson also teased a possible romance between Linda and Lenny Lyons ( Steven Miller), noting that they have a "really sparky relationship". The character departed from the series in the thirty-fifth episode of the twenty-seventh series, broadcast on 11 May 2013. The exit had only been revealed through advanced spoilers beforehand.

Martin "Ash" Ashford

Martin "Ash" Ashford, played by Patrick Robinson, is introduced in the first episode of series 5, first broadcast on 7 September 1990. Ash left on 24 February 1996, but returned on 21 February 1998 for two episodes. It was announced on 3 February 2013, that Robinson has returned to Casualty and would make his first appearance on 9 February 2013. He would be filling the gap left since Michael French's departure as Nick Jordan. Speaking of his return, Robinson said; "It's fantastic to be back! Recreating a character that has moved on and changed so much is incredibly challenging and this feels like a totally new job. But to be back working with Derek Thompson, I feel like I've come home." Executive producer, Jonathan Young added; "We're thrilled to have Patrick back. Ash was a hugely popular character and reuniting him with Charlie will reignite a friendship that we hope will delight viewers old and new. With many years of nursing under his belt plus a stint working as a doctor in America, Ash brings a unique perspective to the ED that will challenge Zoe but charm the rest of the team." Robinson made his final appearance in the series in December 2014 and in the following month, it was explained that Ash had left. Robinson confirmed in March 2018 that it was not his decision to leave and that producers had decided not to renew his contract, which disappointed him. He told Tess Lamacraft of ''What's on TV'' that people approach him to ask what happened to Ash, since he did not receive an exit storyline.

Ash joined the hospital as a staff nurse and was promoted to senior staff nurse in series 7. When Lisa "Duffy" Duffin (Cathy Shipton) left the hospital, Ash became a charge nurse later on. He was suspended from the hospital when a racist thug that threatened him with a knife accuses him of assault, but was acquitted when Matt Hawley (Jason Merrells) admits he overheard the man threatening Ash. Ash continued his role of charge nurse until his departure. Ash returned to the ED in 2013 as a locum consultant, who was eventually given a permanent place within the hospital.

During his original stint in the ED, Ash had friendships with Kelly Liddle (Adie Allen) and Charlie Fairhead (Thompson). He is devastated when Kelly commits suicide and becomes Charlie's 'right-hand man'. When Ash returned to the ED in 2013, he renewed his friendship with Charlie, whilst also befriending clinical lead Zoe Hanna (Sunetra Sarker) and later, staff nurse Rita Freeman (Chloe Howman). Ash has also been involved in several relationships. He was shown to be living with his girlfriend, Nikki Wyatt, in series 7, but they separated when she had an abortion. Ash was later shown to have feelings for his new flatmate Mie Nishi-Kawa (Naoko Mori), but she left Holby before their relationship could develop. Ash married the hospital's PR officer Laura Milburn (Lizzy McInnerny) in the series 10 finale and they left Holby together following this. During his 1998 return, Ash confirmed he and Laura had a daughter and were separated.

His 2013 return brought him into conflict with Zoe upon his return, but they later became friends. He quickly made an impression on his colleagues when he attended a motorbike crash on the way to his first shift. Zoe left Ash in charge of the emergency department when she became ill and he took to the challenge well. Ash's daughter, Ella Ashford (Tahirah Sharif) was introduced in April 2013 when she was admitted into the ED. Ash is shown to deeply love Ella, despite her trouble-making attitude. He does later recognise Ella's faults and begins punishing her for her irresponsible actions. Ash later discovers that Ella had an affair with her maths teacher, resulting in his decision to have Ella stay with him permanently. Ella later steals ketamine from Ash's emergency medical equipment and when she shows no remorse for her actions, despite her boyfriend dying under the influence, Ash reports her to the police who arrested her.

Ash was assigned F2 doctor Lily Chao (Crystal Yu) as a mentee in August 2013 and becomes disgusted by her bedside manner. Ash warns Lily about her behaviour when she performs a life-threatening operation on a patient in cubicles. When a pregnant woman with down's syndrome is admitted, Lily and Ash are tasked with treating her. Lily becomes attached to the patient and performs another risky operation on her without permission. Ash is furious with her and informs her that her patient died when she had, in fact, gone to the maternity ward. When she discovers the truth, Lily files a formal complaint against Ash and despite persuasion from Zoe to rethink her decision, she decides to make the complaint. They later attend a meeting with the hospital's CEO Guy Self (John Michie) who decides that Lily should not have performed the operation without the permission of Ash or Charlie and Ash is given a written warning for his behaviour.

Ash becomes a support for Rita when her paedophile husband is admitted into the ED, resulting in her to begin excessive drinking. When he discovers Rita drinking at work, he sends her home but is left with the choice of telling her boss the truth. Ash (along with colleagues Lily, Connie Beauchamp ( Amanda Mealing), Tess Bateman (Suzanne Packer) and Ethan Hardy ( George Rainsford)) are involved in a road collision, where Ash becomes trapped in the vehicle. He insists his colleagues are to be saved before himself and following that, paramedics Jeff Collier (Matt Bardock) and Kathleen "Dixie" Dixon (Jane Hazlegrove) attempt to rescue him from the vehicle. They discover metal stuck in his leg which Jeff resolves to pull out in order to stop Ash from bleeding out. This allows Dixie and firemen to retrieve out of the vehicle, but as they get to the ambulance, the vehicle explodes with Jeff inside. Jeff's death began affecting Ash, who develops survivor's guilt which has serious effects on his work. Dixie blames Ash for Jeff's death and after a series of arguments, Dixie tells Ash that he should have died in the explosion and not Jeff. Ash continues to react angrily when a Jehovah's Witness refuses to receive a blood transfusion and when two teenagers constantly put themselves in danger. Ash's boss, Connie, demands he attend counselling which he doesn't enjoy. The counsellor, Ben Harding (Mark Letheren), suggests that Jeff chose to save Ash because he believed Ash was worth saving prompting him to turn his life around and honour Jeff's wishes by correctly doing his job. He also talks to Dixie who apologises for blaming Ash. However, Ben's words cause Ash to become obsessed with saving lives to honour Jeff and is eventually convinced to take leave from work. Off-screen, Ash chooses to resign from his job in order to concentrate on Ella who had been released from prison.

Lloyd Asike

Lloyd Asike played by Michael Obiora is a staff nurse who first appeared on 20 August 2011, alongside Scarlett Conway (Madeleine Mantock). Lloyd and Scarlett's casting were revealed in an interview that ''Digital Spy'' published with executive producer, Oliver Kent on 6 July 2011. Lloyd left ''Casualty'' on 8 June 2013 after deciding to retrain as a doctor.

Upon his arrival, Lloyd was mentored by Jay Faldren ( Ben Turner) and it slowly becomes clear that Lloyd has feelings for Scarlett and following the massive fire at the hospital, he admits his feelings to her and they begin a relationship. Their relationship ends abruptly when she hands herself in for throwing a brick at a police officer during the Holby Riots. His mum, Florence and sister, Shelia appear towards the end of series 26.

In an interview with ''Digital Spy'' in 2011, producer Oliver Kent announced the casting of Michael Obiora as Lloyd Asike. Obiora's casting was announced at the same time as Scarlett Conway (Madeleine Mantock). He said, "We're bringing in two new nurses at the start of the new series - Lloyd Asike and Scarlett Conway. We're very excited about the castings. Lloyd is played by the brilliant Michael Obiora, who viewers will probably know from '' Hotel Babylon'', ''EastEnders'' and ''Grange Hill''. He's phenomenal." In 2012, producer Nikki Harris spoke to ''Inside Soap'' about whether Lloyd was going to have a relationship with Scarlett. She said, "I couldn't possibly say yet - just keep watching! What's interesting about the pair of characters is the question of identity. Lloyd is from a very strong, cultural black background and is very rooted in his origins, whereas Scarlett was brought up in a white family. So we're really interested in exploring the two differences in identity between the two."

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Mike Barratt

Mike Barratt, played by Clive Mantle, made his first appearance during the seventh series. Mike was a consultant, who formed a relationship with staff nurse Rachel Longworth (Jane Gurnett). He became a popular member of the cast and was branded a "heart-throb". Mantle left at the end of series eleven, but briefly returned during the following series. Of his decision to leave the show, Mantle said "I didn't want to see the audience always expecting him to be there and perhaps taking less notice of him. I've had a great time, but I'm frightened that, if I stick around too long, I'll end up unable to do anything else." The character later appeared in sister show ''Holby City'' between 1999 and 2001, as a consultant general surgeon. Mantle reprised his role for the 30th anniversary episode "Too Old for This Shift", which aired in August 2016.

Tess Bateman

Tess Bateman, played by Suzanne Packer, is a ward sister who first appeared on 13 September 2003. From her arrival until 2005, Tess was an emergency nurse practitioner and following that, she was promoted to clinical nurse manager for six years, until 2011. In May 2011, Tess resigned from her position and resumed the role of ward sister, but was later reinstated. Tess continued in the role until January 2015 when she resigned to help set up a new health centre as a secondment, returning as a ward sister shortly after. Packer chose to leave the role in 2015, with Tess departing on 22 August 2015. Tess left Holby to live in Leeds with her son and grandson. Packer reprised her role for the 30th anniversary episode "Too Old for This Shift", which aired in August 2016.

Connie Beauchamp

Constance "Connie" Beauchamp played by Amanda Mealing, originally appeared in Casualty's spin off show, Holby City, in the role of Cardiothoracic Consultant and Clinical Lead of Holby's Darwin Cardiothoracic Ward. Connie later went on to become Director of Surgery and medical director of Holby City Hospital. During this period, she appeared in the first two crossovers between ''Casualty'' and ''Holby City'', featuring the casts of both shows, and made a guest appearance in the ''Casualty'' episode shown 9 September 2007. She departed from the show in its thirteenth series, resigning from her post. Her return was announced on 23 July 2013 and she arrived in Casualty on 29 March 2014.

Big Mac

Mackenzie "Big Mac" Chalker played by Charles Dale first appeared on 24 November 2007. He was a porter until October 2013, when he applied to become an emergency care assistant. However, he quit this role in November 2014 and applied to be a healthcare assistant instead. He hasn't changed his job role since. Dale's departure was announced on 7 June 2016, after eight and a half years on the show. Big Mac's exit airs on 11 June 2016 when he decides to leave Holby. Dale since revealed he would return for a cameo appearance in the show's thirtieth anniversary specials. Dale reprised the role for a single episode as part of the show's thirty-fifth anniversary in August 2021. He expressed his excitement at reuniting with his co-stars.

Big Mac is a veteran of the Falklands War of 1982, where many of his fellow soldiers were killed while he survived. This has led to him experiencing intense feelings of guilt. The BBC
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