Casualty series 24

Production

The series was produced by the BBC and aired on BBC One in the United Kingdom. In April 2010, series production staff staged a protest at the Casualty studios over the dismissal of seven staff members from the show's props department. Media entertainment trade union BECTU claimed that the staff members were dismissed after 11 months and two weeks of service so that the BBC could avoid granting them rights allowed to employees who have worked for the company for a year or longer. Bectu supervisory official Helen Ryan stated: "This treatment of individuals would be unacceptable and immoral coming from any employer. However the fact this it is the BBC, a publicly funded and universally respected broadcaster will cause many to view the BBC in a new light." A petition against the decision was circulated, and BECTU representatives urged the dismissed employees to launch a formal appeal against the BBC.

Cast

Overview

Casualty features an ensemble cast of characters in the medical profession, who work in the hospital's Emergency Department. In series 24, Tristan Gemmill, Michael French and Sunetra Sarker played consultants Adam Trueman, Nick Jordan and Zoe Hanna, Georgia Taylor appeared as doctor Ruth Winters, and Steven Miller (actor), Will Sharpe and Laura Aikman played F2s Lenny Lyons, Yuki Reid and May Phelps. Derek Thompson, Suzanne Packer and Ben Turner appeared as nurses Charlie Fairhead, Tess Bateman and Jay Faldren. Jane Hazlegrove, Matt Bardock and Sophia Di Martino played paramedics Kathleen "Dixie" Dixon, Jeff Collier and Polly Emmerson. Charles Dale appeared as hospital porter MacKenzie "Big Mac" Chalker, and Sam Grey played healthcare assistant Alice Chantrey. Chantrey departed from the show mid-series. Tony Marshall continued his role as receptionist Noel Garcia. Gillian Kearney played nurse Jessica Harrison from the beginning of the series until episode 24, "An Ugly Truth". Kearney briefly reprised her role for two episodes, "New Beginnings" and "A Better Past". Aikman also departed during the course of the series, resuming her role in episode 48, "What Tonight Means to Me – Part One". Lucy Gaskell was cast as new nurse Kirsty Clements.

The series featured several recurring characters, and numerous guest stars. Georgia Tennant appeared as new F2 doctor Heather. Joe McFadden played recurring homeless patient Alistair, who befriended Polly and appeared in Casualty first webisode, "The Parting of the Ways". Robert Boulter appeared as F2 Kieron Fletcher, Raymond Coulthard played anaesthetist Matt Strong, and Michael Maloney was consultant Howard Fairfax. Stephanie Beacham played Monica, an ardent feminist, who ended up in the ED after injuring herself on a light fitting, while Ron Moody starred as an elderly vagrant. Linda Robson featured as Louise, a single mother who discovers that her troublesome teenage son has bipolar disorder. Former Blue member Anthony Costa appeared as a man who doused his prostitute girlfriend with petrol. Barry Sloane played Davey Blake, a childhood friend of F2 Lenny Lyons (Steven Miller), and Chris Fountain appeared as Seb, a patient with leukaemia. Margaret John played a pensioner embarking on a relationship for the first time. Matthew Needham guest-starred in episode three, "And Then There Were Three", reprising his role as Toby De Silva. Mark Letheren played Toby's partner, hospital counsellor Ben Harding. Evelyn Hoskyns appeared as Shona Wark, the pregnant girlfriend of Charlie's son Louis (Gregory Foreman). Paul Bradley appeared as his Holby City character Elliot Hope as part of a crossover storyline. Brenda Fricker, an original Casualty character, reprised her role as Megan Roach as part of a guest story arc culminating with her character's death.

Main characters

• Laura Aikman as May Phelps (episodes 1–35 and 47)
• Matt Bardock as Jeff Collier
• Charles Dale as Big Mac
• Sophia Di Martino as Polly Emmerson
• Michael French as Nick Jordan (from episode 4)
• Lucy Gaskell as Kirsty Clements (from episode 36)
• Tristan Gemmill as Adam Trueman
• Sam Grey as Alice Chantrey (until episode 34)
• Jane Hazlegrove as Kathleen "Dixie" Dixon
• Gillian Kearney as Jessica Harrison (until episode 23, episodes 34–35)
• Tony Marshall as Noel Garcia
• Steven Miller as Lenny Lyons (from episode 1)
• Suzanne Packer as Tess Bateman
• Sunetra Sarker as Zoe Hanna
• Will Sharpe as Yuki Reid (from episode 1)
• Georgia Taylor as Ruth Winters
• Derek Thompson as Charlie Fairhead
• Ben Turner as Jay Faldren

Recurring characters

• Stephen Billington as Edward Thurlow (from episode 38)
• Robert Boulter as Kieron Fletcher (episodes 25–34)
• Tom Chadbon as Henry Williams
• Paul Copley as Arthur Dixon (episodes 23–30)
• Raymond Coulthard as Matt Strong (episodes 25–34)
• Richard Dillane as Sean Anderson (episodes 13–20)
• Danny Emes as Lucas Anderson (until episode 23)
• Miffy Englefield as Amelia Anderson (until episode 23)
• Gregory Foreman as Louis Fairhead (episodes 12–25)
• Evelyn Hoskins as Shona Wark (episodes 12–48)
• Michael Maloney as Howard Fairfox (episodes 26–32)
• Alec Newman as Robert Ludlow (episodes 36–48)

Guest characters

• Paul Bradley as Elliot Hope (episode 24)
• Brenda Fricker as Megan Roach (episodes 43–46)
• Mark Letheren as Ben Harding (episodes 3 and 25)
• David Mallison as Eddie Lanchester (episodes 13–25)
• Joe McFadden as Alistair (episodes 1–13)
• Matthew Needham as Toby De Silva (episode 3)
• Georgia Tennant as Heather Whitefield (episodes 1–2)
• Christine Tremarco as Linda Andrews (episodes 20 and 23)

Episodes

Note: First appearance of Lenny Lyons (Steven Miller), Yuki Reid (Will Sharpe), May Phelps (Laura Aikman), Heather Whitefield (Georgia Tennant) & Alistair (Joe McFadden).

Note: Final appearance of Heather Whitefield (Georgia Tennant).

Note: Guest appearance of Toby De Silva (Matthew Needham) and Ben Harding (Mark Letheren).

Note: Guest appearances of Dr Frances Lively (Josette Simon) & Tasmeen Haron (Pooja Ghai).

Note: Return of Sean Andrews (Richard Dillane) and final appearance of Alistair (Joe McFadden).

Note: Guest appearance of Jonathan Winters (Anthony Grundy).

Note: Guest appearance of Eddie Lanchester, Dean of Medicine (David Mallison).

Following the car accident, Adam tries to focus as he fights feelings of claustrophobia while he, Jessica and the kids are trapped in the car on the frozen lake. He manages to calm down but, when Harry cries and Jessica leans back to comfort him, the shift in weight causes the ice to crack and the passenger front side is submerged in water. At the wedding reception, Zoe assumes Jessica has hung up on her and, alone with an unamused Jordan, she downs another glass of champagne. Jordan leaves but stops when he sees Zoe rushing out frantically after him and they rush to the hospital in preparation. Ruth and Jay's relationship, meanwhile, has taken a turn for the better but is it time for Ruth to get something off her chest which has been troubling her for some while? Back at the hospital, the team battle under hopeless conditions to save the accident victims. As things go from bad to worse, Jordan is put in an impossible situation as he wonders whether he should help his desperate colleagues, despite knowing that he's not allowed to practise.

Note: This is a feature-length (105m) episode and shows the final appearance of Harry Trueman (Lorenzo Jefferson).

Note: Guest appearance of Davey Blair (Barry Sloane) and return of Louis Fairhead (Gregory Foreman).

Note: First appearance of Linda Andrews Christine Tremarco and final appearance of Sean Andrews (Richard Dillane).

Note: Guest appearance of Shona (Evelyn Hoskins).

Note: Guest appearance of Eddie Lanchester, Dean of Medicine (David Mallison) & Shona (Evelyn Hoskins).

Note: Guest appearance of Shona (Evelyn Hoskins) and Arthur Dixon (Paul Copley). Temporary Departure of Jessica Harrison (Gillian Kearney). Final appearance of Amelia Anderson (Miffy Englefield) & Lucas Anderson (Danny Emes).

Note: This is a Holby crossover; for part two, see Holby City series 12 episode 19: "Downstairs, Upstairs". Guest appearance of Elliot Hope (Paul Bradley), Shona (Evelyn Hoskins) & Arthur Dixon (Paul Copley).

Note: Guest appearance of Ben Harding (Mark Lethern), Eddie Lanchester, Dean of Medicine (David Mallinson). First appearance of Kieron Fletcher (Robert Boulter) & Matt Strong (Raymond Coulthard).

Note: First appearance of Howard Fairfax (Michael Maloney).

Jay continues to assist Fairfax and Ruth in the surgical trial but, when a patient crashes and dies, the trio are left reeling. Jordan demands an explanation, and Jay confesses that the notes have gone missing. In a private meeting with Fairfax, Ruth questions the trial, but Fairfax tells her that the only way there could have been an error is if Jay drew up an incorrect dosage. Ruth tells Jay he must find the notes in order to clear his name. Kieron tells Jordan he was wrong about his parentage – Jordan's not his father. Jordan is relieved that the matter is settled but, alone, pores over photos of his youth and is alarmed when he realises he did know Kieron's mother. Meanwhile, it's Dixie's hen night, but she is unprepared when she meets the woman of her dreams. May convinces Yuki to keep their relationship under wraps.

Dixie wakes at Lena's side on the morning of her wedding, but decides to go ahead with the ceremony for the sake of her father. However, at the registry office, Dixie is shocked to see that Lena is the registrar. After learning about Dixie's circumstances, Lena agrees to conduct the ceremony and the pair share a tender goodbye. But Arthur witnesses the kiss and is devastated by his daughter's lies. Elsewhere, Alice is upset when Adam avoids her after their night together and, when he makes an inappropriate remark, flees in tears. However, when Tess warns her to stand up to Adam, Alice tells him their friendship is over.

Note: Guest appearance of Arthur Dixon (Paul Copley).

Note: Guest appearance of Monica Shapiro (Stephanie Beacham) and Arthur Dixon (Paul Copley).

Note: Last appearance of Frances Lively (Josette Simon) and guest appearance of Lyn (Liz May Brice).

Note: Departures of Alice Chantery, Kieron Fletcher and Matt Strong

Note: Final Appearance of Jessica Harrison (Gillian Kearney) and May Phelps

Note: First Appearance of Kirsty Clements (Lucy Gaskell) and Robert Ludlow (Alec Newman)

Note: First Appearance of Edward Thurlow (Stephen Billington)

Distracted all day, Ruth receives a mysterious package containing a gold locket. She begs Adam for time off work for personal reasons, leaving the Emergency Department with a garment bag in a chauffeur-driven car. Jay is elated when his test results prove negative. Jordan tells him that he has been given a second chance in life. Jordan also drops into the conversation that Ruth is planning to get married today. Resolving to win her back, Jay races through the streets of Holby to find Ruth at the register office, where he pleads his undying love. Is he in time? Meanwhile, Kirsty gets on the wrong side of Tess when she misguidedly helps a young girl who isn't all she claims to be. Further bad behaviour from Shona leads to Charlie showing her the door – will she be able to appeal to his good nature once more?

Meanwhile, middle-aged Mick is brought into the ED after having a nasty fall and seizures. He has a pacemaker, a secret he's keen to keep from his lively young wife, Emma. Could his determination to keep up with his young partner be compromising his health? And just what is causing those seizures?

Charlie makes yet another attempt to reform Shona but, when faced with temptation, Shona buckles and steals from a patient. At his wit's end, Charlie decides to get tough with the teen. Alerting the police, he watches sadly as she's taken away in handcuffs.

Elsewhere, unaware that Zoe is reacting badly to the fertility treatment, Jordan assumes she's suffering from morning sickness. When Zoe's pregnancy test comes back negative, she tries to tell Jordan the truth but he's so excited he won't let her finish. Unable to crush his joy, Zoe keeps quiet. But how long can she keep up the pretence?

Meanwhile, Megan has bonded with her young healthcare assistant, Lily, who confides she is pregnant but doesn't know who the father is. Determined not to keep the baby to bring it up alone, Lily asks Megan if she'll accompany her to the abortion clinic.

When Megan finds out that the cancer has spread to her brain she keeps quiet. In a bid to lift her spirits, Charlie asks Megan what she would do if she had three wishes. Megan would like to go to Las Vegas, drink banana daiquiris and be serenaded by Tom Jones and Frank Sinatra. So Charlie recreates Vegas in her living room and Megan, Charlie, Tess and Lily play roulette, sip cocktails and dance to Megan's favourite crooners.

After a wonderful evening, Lily is shocked the next morning to find Megan unconscious in the bath. She is rushed to the ED where her life is saved. Realising that Megan will now need round-the-clock nursing care, Charlie goes to her house to help – but the stubborn nurse is still determined to resist his efforts.

When Lily decides to keep her baby after all, Megan is touched but unwavering in her resolution to end her suffering. Will Charlie put his misgivings aside and help out his great friend in her hour of need? This episode saw the return of May Phelps through the use of newly filmed flashbacks. Note: Guest Appearance of Megan Wark

Specials

Notes

References

;General

• BBC One – Casualty, Series 24 ;Specific

References

1. Hemley, Matthew. (12 April 2010). "Casualty production crew plan protest over dismissals". [[The Stage]].
2. (14 April 2010). "Bristol Casualty staff 'face dismissal to stop rights'". [[BBC News]].
3. (April 2025). "Casualty – Saturday 14 August". [[BBC Magazines]].
4. (18 March 2010). "Lucy Gaskell joins nursing team on Casualty". [[BBC Online]].
5. Kilkelly, Daniel. (9 August 2009). "'Who' star Moffett joins 'Casualty'". [[Hachette Filipacchi UK]].
6. Kilkelly, Daniel. (7 October 2009). "'Casualty' announces one-off webisode". [[Hachette Filipacchi UK]].
7. "Network TV BBC Week 10 Interview with Raymond Coulthard, Robert Boulter and Michael Maloney". [[BBC Online]].
8. Kilkelly, Daniel. (13 August 2009). "Costa excited over 'Casualty' appearance". [[Hachette Filipacchi UK]].
9. Green, Kris. (17 September 2009). "Exclusive: Ex-'Oaks actor to guest in 'Casualty'". [[Hachette Filipacchi UK]].
10. Green, Kris. (29 January 2010). "Behind the scenes with Chris Fountain at 'Casualty'". [[Hachette Filipacchi UK]].
11. Price, Karen. (17 April 2010). "Margaret John stars in Calendar Girls". [[Trinity Mirror]].
12. Nolan, Lorna. (3 October 2009). "Brenda back in Casualty after a break of 20 years". [[Independent News & Media]].
13. "Top 30 Programmes". [[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board]].
14. Wilkes, Neil. (29 December 2009). "Lottery show tops Saturday ratings". [[Hachette Filipacchi UK]].
15. Plunkett, John. (14 June 2010). "World Cup 2010: England-USA clash pulls in peak of nearly 20m". [[The Guardian]].
16. "Casualty – Nice And Easy Does It". [[BBC Online]].
17. "Casualty – What Tonight Means To Me: Part 1". [[BBC Online]].
18. "Casualty – What Tonight Means To Me: Part 2". [[BBC Online]].