An accident with a bread knife? A shooting? A motorway pileup? There’s going to be an accident that’s for sure and Casualty a long running medical drama shown on BBC One cranks up the tension as the emergency unfolds. Once the often badly injured casualty gets to hospital, the drama really begins.
Casualty is set in fictional Holby City hospital and follows the medical staff, the events and drama of the A and E department intertwined with the personal stories of the medical staff and the patient. The show was first broadcast in 1986 and the Casualty name reflects the former name of the A and E department in British hospitals that underwent a rename in the 1990s.It changed from the Casualty Dept to Accident and Emergencies (A and E)

Casualty is well known for being a show that gives a break to new actors and has been seen as an institution within the acting profession. Stars such as Christopher Ecclestone, Orlando Bloom, David Walliams and Helen Baxendale have all made their screen debut playing bit parts on Casualty. If you watch the earlier series, it can be interesting to note the cast list!
Casualty has already run for 26 series and looks to continue into series 27. Many of the original cast list have retired now leaving only Senior Charge nurse Charlie Fairhead played by actor Derek Thompson still in the show. As he is approaching retirement age himself it probably means that his days are numbered!

Casualty spin off show Holby City is set in the surgical wards of the same hospital and is equally popular. However, the two branches of this fictional hospital rarely overlap and it is possible to enjoy either Casualty or Holby City without ever seeing the other. A further series Holby Blue follows the police force of the same city – set in the south west of England and loosely based on Bristol.
If you have never seen Casualty, you have a lot to catch up with! Watch all episodes of Casualty via youriplayer.co.uk or simply catch up with the latest.