MarketCasualty series 31
Company Profile

Casualty series 31

The thirty-first series of the British medical drama television series Casualty commenced airing in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 27 August 2016 and finished on 29 July 2017. The series consisted of 44 episodes, including the show's feature-length thirtieth anniversary special episode, "Too Old for This Shift". Erika Hossington continued her role as series producer, while Oliver Kent continued his role as the show's executive producer until the end of the series.

Production
Oliver Kent continued his role as executive producer, Kent was appointed Head of Continuing Drama Series for BBC Scripted Studios in late 2016, with Simon Harper, series producer of Holby City at the time, subsequently being appointed acting executive producer of both shows. although Kent was credited in the role of executive producer until the end of the series. The thirty-first series consisted of 44 episodes. The feature-length anniversary episode that began the series, aired for 99-minutes on 27 August 2016, and featured a storyline event that connected Casualty with its sister show Holby City. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales recorded a special soundtrack for the episode at BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff Bay. Plans for the special were teased back in August 2014, when Hossington hinted that the show would do something "no other show had done before". In an interview with ''What's on TV, Charles Venn revealed that his character, Jacob Masters, would have a key role in the anniversary special. He added that cast and crew members were nicknaming the episode "Casualty'': The Movie" while it was being filmed. Kent later stated that the episode would make the audience "gasp, laugh and cry buckets". Hossington teased the series finale in an interview with Sophie Dainty of Digital Spy, promising to give viewers "a live experience" without making a live episode. She described the episode as "special and unique" and said it would be "something that the show has never, ever done before." == Cast ==
Cast
Overview The thirty-first series of Casualty features a cast of characters working in the emergency department of Holby City Hospital. The majority of the cast from the previous series continue to appear in this series. Amanda Mealing appears as clinical lead and consultant in emergency medicine Connie Beauchamp, whilst Jaye Griffiths and William Beck appear as consultants Elle Gardner, who also briefly acted as clinical lead, and Dylan Keogh. George Rainsford, Richard Winsor and Crystal Yu portray speciality registrars Ethan Hardy, Caleb "Cal" Knight and Lily Chao. Chelsea Halfpenny appears as Alicia Munroe, a second year foundation doctor (F2). Charles Venn portrays clinical nurse manager Jacob Masters, whilst Derek Thompson stars as senior charge nurse Charlie Fairhead, who has appeared in the show since its conception. Amanda Henderson, Azuka Oforka and Jason Durr play staff nurses Robyn Miller, Louise Tyler and David Hide. Michael Stevenson and Lloyd Everitt star as paramedics Iain Dean and Jez Andrews. Tony Marshall and Jamie Davis appear as receptionist and porter Noel Garcia and Max Walker respectively. Emily Carey and Owain Arthur appear as Grace Beauchamp-Strachan and Glen Thomas in a recurring capacity. It was announced on 7 June 2016 that, following three guest appearances in the previous series, Cathy Shipton had returned to the show as a regular cast member. Her character, Lisa "Duffy" Duffin, who appeared in the show across various stints since its inception, returned in the opening episode of the series. Of Shipton's return, Kent said, "All of us at Casualty are incredibly excited that the fabulous Cathy Shipton has agreed to bring Duffy back to the Emergency Department." Hossington announced that Sam would be reintroduced to the series after receiving a job as the hospital's medical director. Sam returned in episode 24. It was announced on 7 February 2017 that the show had filmed a funeral for a regular character, and episode 33 featured the death of Cal Knight (Winsor) after he was stabbed by a white supremacist who blamed Ethan for his father's death. Winsor decided to leave the series of his own accord, but was initially surprised to discover his character would be killed off, before coming round to the idea. which included: Mackenzie "Big Mac" Chalker (Charles Dale), who departed the show in the previous series; Tess Bateman (Suzanne Packer), who appeared in the show for twelve years; Bleasdale made a further three appearances in the series as Josh in episodes 20, 21 and 36. Mealing, Stevenson, Everitt and Tonicha Lawrence, who plays patient Stephanie Sims, appeared in the episode of Holby City that followed the feature-length special, "Protect and Serve". Kent promised "several" more crossovers between the two shows following this. Marcel also appeared in episode 3, alongside John Michie, who plays consultant neurosurgeon Guy Self on Holby City. Hugh Quarshie guest appeared as acting CEO Ric Griffin in episodes 17 and 18. The character appeared in episode 30. On 31 August 2016, it was confirmed that Rik Makarem had joined the cast as Sebastian Grayling. Makarem made his first on-screen appearance in episode 10, on 29 October 2016. Sebastian's father, Archie Grayling, a consultant surgeon, was introduced for the storyline. James Wilby was cast in the role of Archie and also left in episode 17. and departed in episode 33. The show's winter 2016 trailer confirmed Lawrence had reprised her role, and Steph made another appearance in episode 23. St. Clement's return to the role was announced on 12 December 2016, and Hossington confirmed that she would return for a guest appearance in March; Collett reprised the role in episodes 17, 18 and 25. Killoran appeared in two episodes, before his character was killed off, whereas the rest of the family began making recurring appearances. Main characters William Beck as Dylan KeoghJamie Davis as Max WalkerJason Durr as David HideLloyd Everitt as Jez AndrewsJaye Griffiths as Elle GardnerChelsea Halfpenny as Alicia Munroe • Amanda Henderson as Robyn MillerTony Marshall as Noel GarciaAmanda Mealing as Connie Beauchamp • Azuka Oforka as Louise TylerGeorge Rainsford as Ethan HardyCathy Shipton as Lisa "Duffy" Duffin (from episode 1) • Michael Stevenson as Iain DeanDerek Thompson as Charlie FairheadCharles Venn as Jacob MastersRichard Winsor as Caleb Knight (until episode 34) • Crystal Yu as Lily Chao Recurring characters • Billy Angel as Hugo Bonning • Owain Arthur as Glen Thomas (until episode 9) • Will Austin as Scott EllissonLucy Benjamin as Denise EllissonEmily Carey as Grace Beauchamp-StrachanTom Chambers as Sam StrachanHarry Collett as Oliver Hide • Guy Henry as Henrik HanssenMitch Hewer as Mickey EllissonRik Makarem as Sebastian Grayling (episodes 11−18) • Rebecca Ryan as Gemma Dean (episodes 20−34) Guest characters Chizzy Akudolu as Mo EffangaIan Bleasdale as Josh Griffiths (episodes 1−2, 22, 37) • Russell Boulter as Ryan Johnson (episodes 15−16) • Charles Dale as Mackenzie "Big Mac" Chalker (episodes 1−2) • James Gaddas as Howard Munroe • Sam Grey as Alice Chantrey (episodes 1−2) • Ariel Ivo Reid as Tara Jewkes • Poppy Jhakra as Amira Zafar • John Killoran as Roy Ellisson • Martina Laird as Comfort Jones (episodes 1−2) • • Clive Mantle as Mike Barratt (episodes 1−2) • Rosie Marcel as Jac NaylorLee Mead as Ben "Lofty" Chiltern (episode 39) • John Michie as Guy SelfSteven Miller as Lenny Lyons (episodes 1−2) • Amy Noble as PC Kate Wilkinson • Hugh Quarshie as Ric GriffinSuzanne Packer as Tess Bateman (episodes 1−2) • James Redmond as John "Abs" Denham (episodes 1−2) • Pam St. Clement as Sally HodgeBen Turner as Jay Faldren (episodes 1−2) • Alex Walkinshaw as Adrian Fletcher (episodes 1−2) • James Wilby as Archie Grayling • Tracey Wilkinson as Jackie Munroe ==Episodes==
Reception
Critical response The anniversary episode received strong praise from fans. Radio Times reported that viewers were left "stunned" by the episode, while Digital Spy stated that fans were left in "shock and awe" over the episode. The Daily Mirror reporter Sharon Marshall praised the episode, branding it as a "pitch-perfect episode mixing gore, heartache, drama and nostalgia". Marshall added that the episode "showcased what Casualty does best – beautiful writing and a stellar cast who grab your heartstrings," The final episode of the series received a mixed reception. Alison Graham, writing for the Radio Times, described the episode as a "bold piece of television" and praised the show for displaying "the chaos of a front-line service". Jessica Ransom of ''What's on TV enjoyed the episode and was impressed that there were no mistakes. She said the episode highlighted the "ever chaotic trauma" and a "particularly explosive day" in the emergency department. Michael Hogan of The Daily Telegraph'' wrote a review on the episode, awarding it a score of 3 out of 5. While he thought that the fly-on-the-wall theme created "intensity and realism" within the episode, he opined that some speeches from the characters "didn't quite work" and found the explanations during the episode "jarring". The opening episode received an overnight rating of 5.10 million viewers, a 26% share of the total audience. BBC Media Centre later revealed the episode was watched by an audience of 7.20 million viewers. The single-take episode that concluded the series received a 28-day rating of 6.57 million viewers. The show was shortlisted against Cold Feet, Game of Thrones, Happy Valley and The Night Manager. ITV soap opera Emmerdale won the accolade. The helicopter crash, Charlie and Duffy's wedding and Cal's murder were shortlisted for Best Drama Storyline at the 2017 Inside Soap Awards. On 6 November 2017, the helicopter crash won the "Best Drama Storyline" accolade. Casualty was shortlisted in the "Best Soap/Continuing Drama" category at the 2018 Broadcast Awards, but lost out to Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. ==Notes==
tickerdossier.comtickerdossier.substack.com