Casualty series 37

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Casualty
Series 37
No. of episodes12
Release
Original network
Original release20 August (2022-08-20) –
10 December 2022 (2022-12-10)
Series chronology
← Previous
Series 36
Next →
Series 38
List of episodes

The thirty-seventh series of the British medical drama television series Casualty began airing on BBC One in the United Kingdom on 20 August 2022. The series focuses on the professional and personal lives of medical and ancillary staff at the emergency department (ED) of the fictional Holby City Hospital. Jon Sen continues his role as the executive producer and Liza Mellody begins her position as series producer. Series 37 marks the return to regular filming protocols after the COVID-19 pandemic. The series has been marred by scheduling conflicts, with one episode premiering on BBC Two.

The series is truncated to 12 episodes, due to a format change to shorter story arc-based series that was implemented from January 2023. The show's story team placed the pressures of working in the NHS at the focus of the series. A special improvised episode exploring the paramedic team was also commissioned.

15 regular cast members reprised their roles from the previous series. Using these main characters, the issues of mental health, BRCA1, surrogacy and coercive control were explored, with some stories continuing from the previous series. Three of the show's main cast opted to leave their respective roles during the series, while another regular cast member's character was killed-off. The opening episode of the series received a positive reception from television critics and NHS workers. The series has also received criticism; Sophie Dainty of Digital Spy opined that scheduling disruption had resulted in pacing issues and leaving the drama in "one of the most turbulent" periods.[1]

Production[edit]

Series 37 is primarily filmed at Roath Lock Studios, located in Cardiff, where the serial has been produced since 2011.

The series commences in the United Kingdom on 20 August 2022 on BBC One, a week after the conclusion to the previous series.[2] It is produced by BBC Studios.[3] Jon Sen continues his role as executive producer, having been appointed late in the previous series.[4] Loretta Preece served as the show's series producer until episode 2,[5] with Liza Mellody taking over from episode 3.[6] This series marks the first one to return to regular filming protocols, following two series of restricted filming techniques due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Episode durations also return to the full 50 minutes, having been reduced to 40 minutes during the previous two series.[7] Filming for Casualty primarily takes place in a purpose-built studio at the BBC Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff, although the nature of the show means that filming also takes place on-location. On-location filming often occurs in Cardiff and other areas of southern Wales.[3] On-location sites used for series 37 include Dyfrid Street, Barry Island and Adamsdown Square, Cardiff.[8][9]

Scheduling[edit]

Casualty normally airs weekly on BBC One on Saturday nights.[2] The series has been marred by scheduling conflicts, which resulted in weeks without episodes and other weeks with double billings. In a piece on the future of the drama, Digital Spy's Sophie Dainty opined that these scheduling disruptions were "contributing to a descent in quality and momentum".[1] The first double billing of the series contained episodes 3 and 4, both broadcast on 3 September 2022.[1] The coverage of the death of Elizabeth II meant that episode 5 premiered on BBC Two on 10 September 2022, rather than BBC One as initially planned.[10] The show took a transmission break following the broadcast of episode 8 on 8 October 2022.[1] Cast members William Beck and Elinor Lawless confirmed that the show would return to transmission in November 2022,[11] and episode 9 aired on 19 November, six weeks after the last episode.[12]

Promotion[edit]

The series was promoted through a trailer released to the show's social media accounts. Calli Kitson from the Metro praised the trailer and called it "packed full of exciting storylines".[7] She concluded, "Strap yourselves in! Watching the lives of hospital staff and patients unfold is never an easy ride..."[7] The show's cast promoted the show during interviews with media outlets at the 2022 Inside Soap Awards.[11][13] Sen gave an interview to the Metro's Duncan Lindsay, where he promoted the show's future.[14] The twelfth episode, which is an improvised special, was advertised through a trailer released on 7 December 2022. The episode's main cast and production team also promoted the episode through interviews.[15]

Story development[edit]

Stories from the show's previous series were continued into this series as part of the characters' ongoing development. David Hide (Jason Durr) takes a focus as his mental health is explored following the death of his son, Oliver Hide (Harry Collett). Writers reintroduced his former wife, Rosalene Hide (Jackie Knowles), as part of the story.[16] Rachel Bavidge also reprises her guest role as Susan Kellmer, a patient with Schizoaffective Disorder, during the story. Durr explained that David and Susan connect on a "deep, mental level" and she would help David with his own "mental anguish" when she returns.[17] Paige Allcott's (Shalisha James-Davis) BRCA1 diagnosis story continues into this series. Likewise, a feud between consultant Stevie Nash (Elinor Lawless) and anaesthetist Jonty Buchanan (Richard Harrington) is revisited, now with intervention from management consultant Marcus Fidel (Adam Sina).[16]

A surrogacy storyline featuring Robyn Miller (Amanda Henderson), Marty Kirkby (Shaheen Jafargholi) and Adi Kapadia (Raj Bajaj) receives focus in the series. Through the story, Robyn's health is explored.[16] Actor George Rainsford confirmed that his character Ethan Hardy would feature in a new story during the series, amid rumours circulating surrounding his exit.[16] The opening episode leads a focus on the pressures of working in the NHS. Writers used the characters of Dylan Keogh (William Beck), Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson), Sah Brockner (Arin Smethurst) and Teddy Gowan (Milo Clarke) to highlight this.[16] Through this focus, Sen wanted to reflect the everyday experiences of NHS staff in a "factual" manner rather than a "political" one.[14] Actress Kirsty Mitchell told Alice Penwill of Inside Soap that her character Faith Cadogan's emotional state would be explored in this series, following a traumatic year. She also teased that the character would be given a love interest.[18]

The topic of coercive control was explored in series 37 using the characters of Stevie and Marcus. The story begins when Stevie is attacked by a patient. Sen pointed out that this reflected the physical and verbal abuse NHS staff face daily.[14] Lawless explained that the hospital is Stevie's "safe place" and the attack leaves her feeling "incredibly open, vulnerable, scared and childlike", the opposite of Stevie's characterisation.[19] The attack pushes Stevie towards Marcus, who takes advantage of her vulnerability. Sen called the story "really fascinating to see", and Lawless opined that Stevie and Marcus' relationship is "definitely not what it seems".[14]

At the Inside Soap Awards, Clarke revealed that the series would include a special episode exploring the paramedic team. He teased that it would "be fun and keep the audience on their toes".[13] The actor later told Penwill (Inside Soap) that it was an improvised episode focusing on the "strain on the NHS", which he found "scary but fun".[20] The episode is directed by Steve Hughes.[14] Sen admitted to being worried about suggesting the episode to the cast, but was pleased when they were responsive and "threw themselves in with both feet".[14] Discussing the creation of the episode, Sen told Duncan Lindsay from the Metro that the episode would be "the best way" to accurately reflect the pressure on the NHS, since queuing ambulances outside EDs was a "a real defining visual".[14] The show's research team had found that ambulance waiting times were a rising issues for the general audience, which led producers to focus on this.[14] For the special, actors were given themes to improvise from. Sen opined that there was "a real live quality" and "an intimacy that's really released from those scenes".[14] The cast had not been required to improvise for their work "for a while" but adapted to the challenge. Additionally, the show's medical advisory team worked closely with the cast to help them with their portrayal.[14]

Cast[edit]

The thirty-seventh 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.[21] Most cast members from the previous series reprise their roles in this series. William Beck appears as Dylan Keogh, the department's clinical lead and a consultant in emergency medicine.[22] Di Botcher portrays Jan Jenning, the operational duty manager at Holby Ambulance Service.[22] Milo Clarke stars as Teddy Gowan, a paramedic, and Jason Durr features as David Hide, the department's clinical nurse manager.[22] Amanda Henderson and Shaheen Jafargholi both appear as staff nurses Robyn Miller and Marty Kirkby, respectively.[22] Shalisha James-Davis plays Paige Allcott, an F1 doctor,[16] and Elinor Lawless stars as consultant Stevie Nash.[22] Kirsty Mitchell stars as Faith Cadogan, an advanced clinical practitioner (ACP), and Neet Mohan appears as Rash Masum, a clinical fellow.[22] George Rainsford plays consultant Ethan Hardy,[16] and both Arin Smethurst and Michael Stevenson feature as paramedics Sah Brockner and Iain Dean, respectively.[22] Original cast member Derek Thompson appears as Charlie Fairhead, a senior charge nurse and emergency nurse practitioner. Charles Venn stars as Jacob Masters, a charge nurse.[22] Additionally, four actors appear in a recurring capacity: Raj Bajaj (social worker Adi Kapadia), Stirling Gallacher (Ffion Morgan, a police officer), Paul Popplewell (receptionist Paul Pegg) and Adam Sina (management consultant Marcus Fidel).[22] Bajaj exited the series in episode 8 at the conclusion of his character's story.[23]

The series features several recurring characters and multiple guest stars. Gordon Peaston and Alex Childs continue their guest role as Kevin Brockner and Jools Brockner, Sah's parents, in the series;[7] they appear in episode six.[24] Child actress Aurora Jones also continues her guest role as Charlotte Miller, the daughter of Robyn, in the series, appearing in episode 8.[25] Jackie Knowles reprises her role as Rosalene Hide, David's former wife, following a brief appearance in series 36.[16] She appears in the second episode of the series.[26] Having previously appeared in a series 34 episode, Rachel Bavidge returns as patient Susan Kellmer as part of David's story.[17] Bavidge appears in episodes two and five as a barista at the hospital café.[27][28] Acclaimed actress Amanda Barrie guest stars in the series as care home patient Elsie Clegg, who is described as having "quite a way with words".[29] The character initially appears in episodes 7 and 11.[30] Richard Harrington returns to his role as consultant anesthetist Jonty Buchanan in this series too;[7] he appears in episode 8.[31][32]

Episodes[edit]

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [33]
12571"All Time High"[34]Rick PlattColin Bytheway20 August 2022 (2022-08-20)2.38
12582"We Need to Talk About Ollie"[5]Rick PlattLindsey Alford27 August 2022 (2022-08-27)2.39
12593"Falling"[6]Eric StylesEd Sellek3 September 2022 (2022-09-03)2.35
12604"Skin Deep"[35]Eric StylesJenny Davis and Rachel Harper3 September 2022 (2022-09-03)N/A (<2.32)[a]
12615"Derby Day"[36]George C SiougasToby Walton10 September 2022 (2022-09-10)N/A (<2.64)[a]
12626"Enough"[37]George C SiougasCiara Conway17 September 2022 (2022-09-17)N/A (<2.97)[a]
12637"Coming Clean"[38]Carys LewisColin Bytheway1 October 2022 (2022-10-01)3.01
12648"Just Between Us"[39]Carys LewisCharlotte Cromie8 October 2022 (2022-10-08)N/A (<2.87)[a]
12659"People Skills"[40]Candida Scott KnightMichelle Lipton19 November 2022 (2022-11-19)N/A (<2.90)[a]
126610"Confidence and Paranoia"[41]Candida Scott KnightJodie Ashdown26 November 2022 (2022-11-26)N/A (<2.53)[a]
126711"Leap of Faith"[42]Steve HughesLisa McMullin4 December 2022 (2022-12-04)N/A (<3.01)[a]
126812"Thin Green Line"[43]Steve HughesStephen McAteer10 December 2022 (2022-12-10)N/A (<3.20)[a]

Reception[edit]

Casualty won the 2022 Rose d'Or award in the Soap or Telenova category,[44] after beating ten other international nominees.[45] The show was also nominated for the Best Soap/Continuing Drama award at the 2023 Broadcast Awards.[46]

Kitson of the Metro praised the series' opening episode and felt the focus on the NHS was "a very real, very powerful way to open a series".[7] She opined that the audience had to "face hard truths in a very powerful and brutal way".[47] In a feature for the publication, the opening episode was praised by Ed Hope, an ED doctor, and Joel Phillips, a paramedic. They both agreed that it reflected the current state of the NHS well, despite looking like a "dystopian fiction".[47] Phillips also noted how the serial mirrored the NHS by highlighting "the impact relentless pressure is having on NHS employees".[47] Kitson's colleague, Sue Haasler, called the opener "gritty".[48] Television magazine What's on TV listed the opening episode in its television highlights of the week.[49]

In a feature on Casualty's future following the cancellation of sister show Holby City, Dainty from Digital Spy criticised the show, "We're not going to beat around the bush – Casualty is not what it used to be."[1] She thought that 2022 (series 36 and 37) was "one of the most turbulent years in its 36-year history", which worried her.[1] Dainty accredited the show's decline to scheduling disruption and "a palpable lack of publicity".[1] She suggested that the BBC could utilise catch-up service BBC iPlayer to premiere episodes, in such a way that has been used for BBC soap opera EastEnders when they faced scheduling disruption.[1] Examining the show's ratings, the reporter noted that viewing figures of series 37 were down approximately 400,000 viewers compared to series 36 episodes broadcast at the same time.[1] In addition to a rating decline, she thought that storylines were facing "pacing problems" and a lack of "momentum", and named David's mental health story, Paige's BRCA story and the surrogacy plot as storylines which have suffered as a result.[1] Despite her criticism, Dainty praised both Casualty and Holby City for being "ahead of the curve in terms of diverse casting and storylines".[1] She believed that series 37 offered "great potential" by returning to the show's roots with a focus on the NHS.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Dainty, Sophie (13 October 2022). "Casualty – what does the future really hold?". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b Dainty, Sophie (4 August 2022). "When is Casualty back and why has it been off air?". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Casualty". BBC Studios. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  4. ^ Carr, Flora (12 November 2021). "EastEnders confirms new boss as Jon Sen leaves to lead Casualty". Radio Times. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  5. ^ a b Lindsey Alford (writer); Rick Platt (director); Pete Levy (producer) (27 August 2022). "We Need to Talk About Ollie". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  6. ^ a b Ed Sellek (writer); Eric Styles (director); Mat McHale (producer) (3 September 2022). "Falling". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Kitson, Calli (17 August 2022). "Casualty trailer reveals cave rescue, Stevie's war and exit for Sah?". Metro. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  8. ^ Powell, Leah (25 June 2022). "BBC drama Casualty filmed on Dyfrid Street at Barry Island". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  9. ^ Jones, Branwen (12 July 2022). "Pictures show Casualty production team filming emergency scenes in middle of Cardiff". Wales Online. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  10. ^ Dubey, Shivani. "Casualty moved to BBC Two in latest schedule change after Queen's death". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  11. ^ a b Dainty, Sophie; Kilkelly, Daniel (21 October 2022). "Casualty stars reveal when show will be back on air". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  12. ^ Lewis, George (7 November 2022). "Casualty return date confirmed after a month off air". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  13. ^ a b Seddon, Dan; Kilkelly, Daniel (23 October 2022). "Casualty star Milo Clarke confirms paramedic special". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lindsay, Duncan (25 November 2022). "Casualty boss Jon Sen reveals huge format change to show, big spoilers and addresses cast exits". Metro. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  15. ^ Rowan, Iona (7 December 2022). "Casualty's first ever improvised episode teased in new trailer". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h Dainty, Sophie (18 August 2022). "11 huge Casualty spoilers and teasers for the new series". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  17. ^ a b Kitson, Calli (29 July 2022). "Casualty star Jason Durr confirms Rosa's exit and return of patient to help struggling David". Metro. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  18. ^ Penwill, Alice (13–19 August 2022). "'It's been great to explore Faith's imperfections!'". Inside Soap (33): 50–51.
  19. ^ Anderton, Joe (26 November 2022). "Casualty star Elinor Lawless reveals aftermath of Stevie's attack". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  20. ^ Penwill, Alice (19–25 November 2022). "Christmas at Holby!". Inside Soap (47): 29.
  21. ^ "Casualty - 6 September 1986". History of the BBC. BBC. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Casualty - Season 37". Radio Times. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  23. ^ Dainty, Sophie (12 November 2022). "10 huge Casualty spoilers for next week". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  24. ^ "Sah kidnapped!". Inside Soap. No. 38. 17–23 September 2022. p. 30.
  25. ^ Reilly, Elaine (6 October 2022). "Casualty Spoilers: Robyn Miller's life and death fight ends in tragedy?". What to Watch. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  26. ^ "Read all about it!". Inside Soap. No. 35. 27 August – 2 September 2022. p. 27.
  27. ^ Dainty, Sophie (20 August 2022). "7 huge Casualty spoilers for next week". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  28. ^ Reilly, Elaine (9 September 2022). "Casualty Spoilers: David Hide is dumped and desperate!". What to Watch. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  29. ^ Kitson, Calli (1 October 2022). "Who is Amanda Barrie in Casualty and what role did she play in Coronation Street?". Metro. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  30. ^ Dainty, Sophie (26 November 2022). "11 huge Casualty spoilers for next month". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  31. ^ Dainty, Sophie (2 October 2022). "9 huge Casualty spoilers for next week". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  32. ^ "Stevie threatened!". Inside Soap. No. 2. 14–20 January 2023. p. 30.
  33. ^ "Most viewed programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  34. ^ Colin Bytheway (writer); Rick Platt (director); Pete Levy (producer) (20 August 2022). "All Time High". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  35. ^ Jenny Davis and Rachel Harper (writers); Eric Styles (director); Mat McHale (producer) (3 September 2022). "Skin Deep". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  36. ^ Toby Walton (writer); George C Siougas (director); Dafydd Llewelyn (producer) (10 September 2022). "Derby Day". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  37. ^ Ciara Conway (writer); George C Siougas (director); Dafydd Llewelyn (producer) (17 September 2022). "Enough". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  38. ^ Colin Bytheway (writer); Carys Lewis (director); Hannah Durham (producer) (1 October 2022). "Coming Clean". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  39. ^ Charlotte Cromie (writer); Carys Lewis (director); Hannah Durham (producer) (8 October 2022). "Just Between Us". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  40. ^ Michelle Lipton (writer); Candida Scott Knight (director); Pete Levy (producer) (19 November 2022). "People Skills". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  41. ^ Jodie Ashdown (writer); Candida Scott Knight (director); Pete Levy (producer) (26 November 2022). "Confidence and Paranoia". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  42. ^ Lisa McMullin (writer); Steve Hughes (director); Mat McHale (producer) (4 December 2022). "Leap of Faith". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  43. ^ Stephen McAteer (writer); Steve Hughes (director); Mat McHale (producer) (10 December 2022). "Thin Green Line". Casualty. BBC. BBC One.
  44. ^ Warner, Sam (29 November 2022). "Casualty wins prestigious Rose d'Or award - beating EastEnders". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  45. ^ "Rose d'Or 2022 Nominees Announced". Rose d'Or. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  46. ^ "Shortlist 2023". Broadcast. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  47. ^ a b c Kitson, Calli (17 August 2022). "Real hospital workers react to Casualty highlighting the NHS crisis". Metro. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  48. ^ Haasler, Sue (20 August 2022). "Casualty brutally highlights NHS struggles in series opener". Metro. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  49. ^ Reilly, Elaine (20–26 August 2022). "Hot TV This Week!". What's on TV. No. 34. p. 3.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Not reported in the weekly top 50 programmes.

External links[edit]

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