CASUALTY fans are in for a BIG surprise as a Holby City actor is set to reprise their role in the medical drama.
Here’s the lowdown on the BBC One soap’s latest comings and goings…
Sacha Levy returns as Bob Barrett
Sacha Levy (Bob Barrett) – returning
It has been revealed that Holby City’s Bob Barrett will crossover to Casualty, reprising the role of Dr Sacha Levy.
A BBC spokesperson said: “Sacha will be appearing in an episode of Casualty airing next year (2023).”
The actor played Sacha for 12 years before the show was given the axe in March, and has appeared in the same role in Casualty before.
The soap aired its final episode in the Spring of 2022, with the BBC saying at the time that it had made the decision to axe the drama to “make room for new opportunities”.
David Hide (Jason Durr) – leaving
Jason Durr says goodbye to his character David Hide after six years on the soap
After six years on the show, the time has come for the actor to hang up the scrubs.
Posting a photo of himself on Instagram, he wrote: “After 6 yrs playing the wonderfully complex #NurseDavidHide @bbccasualtyofficial I’ve hung up my scrubs.”
He continued: “I’ve forged firm friendships, learnt to pronounce Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty & had my squeamishness thoroughly challenged! Here’s to new adventures (hopefully with less blood & guts).”
Ethan Hardy (George Rainsford) – leaving
After nine years on the show, George Rainsford is leaving
George Rainsford, who plays Ethan, has confirmed that he is leaving the show on social media after weeks of speculation.
The actor announced his departure in an Instagram post featuring a series of photos of the cast together at a party in the summer.
Rainsford captioned the post: “Well I suppose it’s official because it’s now in print!
“Most of you have guessed already but I’ve left #Casualty after 9 years & over 300 episodes. My final appearance (*for now) airs in early 2023. Pictures are from my last night with the crew in summer 2022.
“Enjoying some family time & other challenges. It’s been a blast!”
Max (Nigel Harman) – joined
EastEnders star Nigel Harman has a surprise new career 17 years after shock soap exit
In September 2022, it was announced that Nigel Harman has joined the cast of Casualty for a new storyline.
The actor, best known for his role as Dennis Rickman in EastEnders, will play the role of Max in the medical drama.
A TV insider told the Daily Star: “Nigel has signed a one-year contract with the show. It’s really exciting. Producers are thrilled to have such a big name joining the cast.
“Max is really going to ruffle feathers. He is a loveable rogue who isn’t afraid to say what he thinks.
“The writers have got some really big storylines planned for this character. He’s going to be at the centre of the action.”
Elinor Lawless (Stevie Nash) – joined
Elinor Lawless is joining Casualty as Stevie Nash
Doctors actress Elinor Lawless joined the cast of Casualty in 2021.
Elinor made her debut on the soap as it celebrated its 35th anniversary with a special episode.
The actress said at the time: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the wonderful cast of Casualty.
“Stevie Nash is certainly a force to be reckoned with and looks set to ruffle a few feathers in the Holby ED.”
Matthew Afolami (Osi Okerafor) – joined
Osi Okerafor has joined the BBC soap as Fenisha’s ex-husband Matthew
Death In Paradise star Osi Okerafor has joined the cast of Casualty.
The actor made his debut as new doctor Matthew back in May 2021.
Matthew was quick to ruffle his ex-wife Fenisha and her new boyfriend Ethan’s feathers following his arrival.
Speaking about his new role, actor Osi said: “It’s a pleasure to become a part of the Casualty team. Everyone here is so genuinely friendly and it’s a very exciting environment to work in.
“I’m excited for viewers to see Matthew’s love for his patients and his willingness to do whatever it takes to care for them; it’s a quality I really admire in him.”
Iain Dean (Michael Stevenson) – returned
Michael Stevenson has reprised his role as Iain Dean in Casualty
Michael Stevenson reprised his role as Iain Dean in the popular medical drama in April 2021 after a year and a half away.
The actor announced he was taking an extended break from the role back in 2019 as Ian’s long-running mental health story came to an end and the troubled paramedic tried to take his own life.
Speaking to Digital Spy about his return in 2021, Michael explained: “When the producers got in contact and stuck to their word by asking me to come back, it was a no brainer. It’s home to me. The show has been very good to me and so there was nothing to think about really.”
Iain returned to the soap in a much better place than when he left.
Michael added: “He is in a much, much better place. He’s had a really good year. He’s really enjoyed working for the HEMS team and all the thrills that come with that – it’s right up Iain’s street. He has definitely changed.”
Leon Cook (Bobby Lockwood) – left
Bobby Lockwood has left his role as Leon Cook in Casualty
Casualty’s Leon Cook departed from the show in May 2021 after failing to secure a full-time position.
Leon was pushed out when Iain Dean swiped the paramedic job from under his feet.
Wolfblood actor Bobby Lockwood only joined the show earlier this year in the role of Leon, and the door is expected to be left open for his return one day.
Connie Beauchamp (Amanda Mealing) – left
Amanda Mealing is taking an extended break from Casualty but is expected to return
Connie Beauchamp made an exit from Casualty in April 2021 after actress Amanda Mealing announced she was taking an extended break from the medical drama.
“I was tired and really needed to rest,” she told Digital Spy. “I haven’t had a proper break in years, and when I’ve taken time out of the show before, I’ve been directing and doing other things.
“I’ve been on the show for nearly seven years and it can be full-on. When we went back after the COVID episode, I’d worked 73 out of 80 days. My spare time is also taken up with directing and making short films for my production company. I was very tired and so I have been enjoying catching up on sleep.
“It’s very similar to Connie in a way – she needed to spend more time with Grace and I needed to take some time out of work too.”
In a low-key exit, viewers watched Connie realise she needed to prioritise her daughter Grace after she nearly killed David’s son Ollie doing an operation she wasn’t qualified to do – and walked off with her daughter.
Show bosses have insisted that Connie will return to the soap one day, but there’s no official word yet.
