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Casualty (TV series)

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Casualty
Current logo
Current Casualty logo
(Introduced on September 23, 2006)
GenreMedical drama
Created byJeremy Brock
Paul Unwin
StarringCurrent and Past cast
Theme music composerKen Freeman
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of series28
No. of episodes884 (as of 14 December 2013) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersAdrian Bate (1996–97)
Laura Mackie (1997–98)
Ruth Caleb (1998)
Mal Young (1998–2004)
Mervyn Watson (2002–07)
Belinda Campbell (2007–11)
Alison Davis (2007–08)
Johnathan Young (2011–13)
Oliver Kent (2013–)
Running time50 minutes, Various other Lengths
Production companiesBBC Bristol (1986–2011)
BBC Cymru Wales (2012-)
Original release
NetworkBBC One
BBC Two (episode 350)
BBC One HD (2012-)
Release6 September 1986 –
present
Related
Holby City
HolbyBlue
Casualty 1900s
Casualty@Holby City

Casualty, stylised as CASUAL+Y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One, and the longest-running emergency medical drama television series in the world.[1] Created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin, it was first broadcast on 6 September 1986,[2] and transmitted in the UK on BBC One. The original producer was Geraint Morris.

The programme is based around the fictional Holby City Hospital and focuses on the staff and patients of the hospital's Accident and Emergency Department. The show has very few ties to its sister programme Holby City which began as a spin off from Casualty in 1999 and is set in the same hospital, but upstairs. The show's plots and characters occasionally cross over between the two programmes, but this is rare, and each show can easily be followed without having to watch the other. Casualty is shown weekly on a Saturday evening, which has been its time slot since the early 1990s.

Production

Location

Casualty and Holby City are both set in Holby City Hospital,[3] in the fictional county of Wyvern, in the south-west of England.[4] From the show's inception to series 26, episode 16, the city exterior is represented by Bristol,[5] and well-known landmarks such as the floating harbour and Clifton Suspension Bridge are often visible in outdoor scenes. City of Bristol College was used as the location for most exterior shots of the hospital from 1986 until 2002 when a new exterior set was built in Lawrence Hill Industrial Park in the city.

It was confirmed on 26 March 2009 that the BBC would move the filming of Casualty in 2011 to a purpose-built studio and backlot set at the BBC Roath Lock studios in Cardiff.[6][7]

Episode 16 of series 26 marked the final episode filmed in Bristol, with a fire destroying the department. The first episode from Cardiff, broadcast on 7 January 2012, was an 80 minute episode.

Broadcast

Main article: List of Casualty episodes

The programme has usually been transmitted on Saturday nights, although for a period in the late 1980s and early '90s it switched to Fridays. The first two series each consisted of 15 episodes; series 3 ran for 10 episodes (although one of those episodes was postponed following the death of its guest star, Roy Kinnear); series 4, 5 and 6 were 12, 13, and 15 episodes long respectively. The final episode of series 6, which focused on a plane crash, was postponed until February 1992, after being initially scheduled for transmission on 20 December 1991 - one day before the 3rd anniversary of the Lockerbie disaster.

When the show moved back to Saturday nights in September 1992, the series length was extended to 24 episodes per year, and placed in a pre-watershed slot at approximately 8pm. This initially caused some controversy due to the graphic and controversial nature of some of the storylines.[8] In 1997-8, the episode number was increased again, with 26 episodes (including two 75-minute specials) making up series 12. Subsequent series each saw an increase in episodes; series 13 ran for 28 episodes, series 14 ran for 30 episodes, series 15 ran for 36 episodes, series 16 and 17 ran for 40 episodes and series 18 ran for 46 episodes. Since 2004, popularity of the show resulted in a switch from a traditional seasonal format (which had progressed from three months in its early years to around seven months by 2001) to an almost year-round production and transmission — each series from series 19 (2004/5) to 25 (2010/11) has lasted for 48 episodes. However, this figure was dropped to 42 for series 26, with no summer break, which was related to production moving from Bristol to Cardiff.[9] Series 27 consists of 44 episodes – an increase of 2 episodes on the previous series and returned to 48 for series 28.[10][11] In addition, from series 26, the show also began broadcasting in August of their respective years, rather than start in September.

Casualty is usually in the 20:00—21:00 slot on BBC One, although does sometimes start after 21:00. Special events such as the Eurovision Song Contest and sporting events sometimes see the schedule moved around. On some of these occasions, Casualty is taken off-air for the night to make way for alternative shows. It has been known in the past that if an episode is in two parts, part one will be aired on the Saturday and part two on Sunday.

Titles and Theme Music

1986–1989 The original title sequence featured a speeding ambulance with flashing lights arriving at Casualty. A CGI heart monitor was shown over the titles. The 49 second sequence shows the patient's point of view and their journey through the department into resus. The heartbeat turned into electric arcs (possibly as a result of a defibrillator being used to revive them) as the bed moves around the hospital.

1989–1992 Series 4, in 1989, launched with a new title sequence, opening with an ambulance travelling in daytime. Different activities are then shown, including the ambulance driver, hospital equipment, a patient being treated and a blood pressure gauge, all separated by flashes of blue light. The next part of the sequence features new camera shots of the patient's journey into resus.

1992–1993 Series 7 from 1992 to 1993 saw a sequence returning to the original style, with the ambulance coming over the hill and a new heartbeat line moving across the bottom of the screen. As the ambulance arrives, the staff come out of the department to move the patient to resus.

1993–1997 In September 1993 (Series 8), the titles were revamped, based on the Series 4 style, with the ambulance. Clips showed accidents and the ambulance journey instead of the patient's journey. Whilst the ambulance is being driven, a series of clips are superimposed. The sequence ends with the ambulance arriving at Casualty. The Casualty logo flashes up on the screen when the screen blurs out. The sequence was tinted blue. These lasted until February 1997 when Series 11 ended.

1997–2000

Casualty logo 1997–2006

Again September 1997 saw a new look, based around fragments of glass flying and a sequence utilising footage of medical staff, hospital equipment and patients' relatives. The sequence ends as all the pieces of glass that were shattered in the first few seconds of the sequence are re-formed into a single pane, which spells out the new Casual+y logo. Minor edits were made when these titles were shortened towards the end of 1998 for Series 13 but they remained essentially the same until Series 14 ended in March 2000.

2000–2001 A more arty sequence appeared in September 2000 (Series 15), with a fast forward technique, featuring a clock ticking through the night, an airbag deploying, the ambulance speeding through evening traffic and patients arriving at reception. The second half of the sequence focuses on a patient being treated in Resus from a bird's-eye perspective. The sequence ends in slow motion as the patient recovers and his relatives crowd round his bed, before the people and equipment disappear, leaving the distinctive chequered flooring of the department & the Casual+y logo. The original 1986 theme tune remained, but as the 'September 1998' shortened version again.

2001–2002 A new theme tune marked the arrival of Series 16 in September 2001, with a distinct change to the opening titles. For the first time, the focus was on the characters, who were presented posing to the camera against a blurred dark background. The only 'medical' references were the glimpses of an ambulance and a heart rate graphic in the opening seconds of the titles. The same logo introduced in 1997 remains at the end.

2002–2006 Series 17, starting in September 2002, saw a return to a generic medical-themed title. The focus was on the international symbol of medical aid, the red cross, shown at different sizes moving around the screen, often filled with footage such as paramedics and a patient being given cardiac massage, against a stark white background. This sequence was also filled with abstract graphics, elements of the Casual+y logo and footage of medical emergencies. The logo is formed by the merging of the various crosses & abstract shapes at the end of the sequence. Similarly to the titles of September 2001 - June 2002 (which featured the characters), the 1997 logo remained at the end until these credits were replaced in September 2006 (Series 21).

2006–2011 Brand new titles were introduced in Series 21 - this also marked the usage of a brand new Casual+y logo - using stop-frame footage of the ambulance on its journey, followed by images of characters and equipment, mixed with footage of a patient being taken to Resus. The sequence was tinted in a turquoise hue and interrupted by a flashing amber graphic, reminiscent of the heart rate line from the original titles sequence. Series 21 saw the use of an orchestral-style variation of the theme tune, though this reverted to the previous version from Series 22 onwards.

2012-2013 Series 26 returned after its Christmas break in January 2012, filmed in high-definition for the first time, to coincide with the move to Cardiff Roath Lock. A new opening sequence for introduced, reminiscent of the early opening titles, in homage to the show's roots. The variant of the theme music used since Series 16 (except Series 21) remains in use.

2014- A new arrangement of the theme and refreshed opening titles[12] will be seen from the first episode of 2014, airing on Saturday 4th January on BBC One.

DVD releases

The first series of Casualty was released on DVD (Region 2, UK) by 2 Entertain/Cinema Club on 10 April 2006. The second series was released on 10 July 2006, with series three released on 11 September 2006. The third was released to coincide with the show's 20th anniversary celebrations. There are no future DVD releases planned at present.

Characters and cast

Main articles: Characters of Casualty, List of Casualty characters, List of Casualty cast members, and List of past Casualty characters

Casualty follows the professional and personal lives of the medical and ancillary staff of Holby City Hospital's emergency department. It features an ensemble cast of regular characters, and began with ten main characters in its first series. The original characters were consultant Ewart Plimmer (Bernard Gallagher), senior house officer Baz Samuels (Julia Watson), charge nurse Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson), staff nurse Clive King (George Harris), state enrolled nurse Megan Roach (Brenda Fricker), student nurse Lisa "Duffy" Duffin (Cathy Shipton), paramedics Sandra Mute and Andrew Ponting (Lisa Bowerman and Robert Pugh), receptionist Susie Mercier (Debbie Roza) and porter Kuba Trzcinski (Christopher Rozycki). New main characters have been both written in and out of the series since, with only Charlie remaining in the show.

As of the twenty-eighth series, the main cast encompasses senior charge nurse Charlie, consultants Martin "Ash" Ashford (Patrick Robinson) and Zoe Hanna (Sunetra Sarker), Paediatric speciality doctor Tom Kent (Oliver Coleman), Specialist Registrar Sam Nicholls (Charlotte Salt), F2 Lily Chao (Crystal Yu), Clinical nurse Manager Tess Bateman (Suzanne Packer), Staff Nurses Jamie Collier, Robyn Miller, Adrian "Fletch" Fletcher and Rita Freeman (Daniel Anthony, Amanda Henderson, Alex Walkinshaw and Chloe Howman), Paramedic duty officer Kathleen "Dixie" Dixon (Jane Hazlegrove), Paramedics Jeff Collier and Norman Burnton (Matt Bardock, Adrian Harris), Student Paramedic Iain Dean (Michael Stevenson), Emergency Care Assistant Mackenzie "Big Mac" Chalker (Charles Dale) and Receptionists Noel Garcia and Louise Tyler (Tony Marshall and Azuka Oforka).

A survey published by Radio Times magazine in March 2004 revealed that Casualty has featured more future stars than any other UK soap or drama series.[13] Actors who appeared in the show prior to becoming famous include Kate Winslet, Orlando Bloom, Minnie Driver, Christopher Eccleston, Tom Hiddleston, Parminder Nagra, Sadie Frost, Ray Winstone, David Walliams, Jonny Lee Miller, Helen Baxendale, Robson Green and Brenda Fricker.[13] Discussing her 1993 appearance in Casualty, Winslet told the Radio Times: "In England, it almost seems to be part of a jobbing actor's training [to appear in Casualty]. As far as I was concerned it was a great episode, a great part. Appearing in Casualty taught me a big lesson in how to be natural in front of the camera."[13] In addition, the series has featured a variety of more established stars, including Norman Wisdom, Amanda Redman, Anita Dobson, Jenny Seagrove, Rula Lenska, Prunella Scales,[14] Celia Imrie,[15] Toyah Willcox, Maureen Lipman,[16] Frances Barber, Andrew Sachs,[17] Russ Abbot and Stephanie Beacham [18] in cameo roles.

Holby City

Main article: Holby City

Holby City began on 12 January 1999 as a spin-off from Casualty and is named after the fictional Holby City Hospital in which both series are set. The show follows the lives and careers of staff and patients on the surgical wards of the hospital, and deals with a range of clinical and ethical issues. Similarly to Casualty, the regular characters are all surgeons, nurses and other medical and ancillary staff, with patients played by guest actors, including famous names such as Eric Sykes, Phill Jupitus, Michael Jayston, Michele Dotrice, Ronni Ancona, Emma Samms, Lee Ryan, Nikki Sanderson and Johnny Briggs.[19] The show was created by Mal Young and Tony McHale, who became its executive producer between 2007 and 2010. He was succeeded by Casualty executive producer Belinda Campbell.

Casualty@Holby City

Main article: Casualty@Holby City
Casualty@Holby City credits

Reflecting Holby City's origins as a spin-off from Casualty and the closely related premises of the two programmes, the BBC has screened occasional crossover mini-dramas entitled Casualty@Holby City, featuring a number of characters from each of the two casts.[20] Mervyn Watson, executive producer of Casualty, has commented on the origins of the idea to fully cross the two shows over for the first time: "I think the idea came from somebody in the comedy department, who casually said to the Controller of Drama 'Wouldn't it be a good idea if ...' The Controller did think it was a good idea, spoke to myself and Holby's executive producer, got it commissioned by the Head of BBC One and the rest is history."[21]

Filming of Casualty@Holby City episodes is usually divided between Casualty's Bristol set, and Holby City's Elstree studios, although a large proportion of the Christmas 2005 crossover was also filmed on location in a road tunnel in Caernarfon, Wales.[22] The theme tune used for crossover episodes consists of a shortened version of both the Casualty and Holby City theme tunes, played over one another in sync, criticized by the Daily Mirror for being "basically both theme tunes played at once."[23] Interviewed prior to broadcast of the Christmas 2005 crossover, Watson commented on the future of Casualty@Holby City: "We can't guarantee any crossovers for next year, but the audience likes them. And as long as the Controller of BBC One wants them, then we'll be happy to oblige."[24] In November 2007, Holby City producer Diana Kyle added: "We like to do crossovers whenever we can, but it's tricky because both Holby City and Casualty film for 52 weeks a year, so the actors on each show have to work flat-out on their own programmes. We are trying to create more opportunities where the two dramas can merge, though."[25] Another crossover was broadcast in 2010, with Casualty producer Oliver Kent commenting that the production teams enjoy airing crossovers, and that the difficulty in producing them is "purely logistics".[26]

HolbyBlue

Main article: HolbyBlue

In April 2006, the BBC announced that a spin-off drama from the show, to be named HolbyBlue, was in early stages of production.[27] The series focuses on the police service of Holby South, and aired for the duration of its first series on BBC One on Tuesday nights, with Holby City switching back to its former Thursday night slot at 8:00pm. Long running Casualty character Charlie Fairhead appeared in HolbyBlue's first episode, and a full two part crossover episode with Holby City aired at the beginning of the show's second series.[28] On 6 August 2008, the BBC announced that HolbyBlue has been axed after two series.[29]

Casualty 1900s

Main article: Casualty 1900s

In December 2006, the BBC broadcast a historical medical drama titled Casualty 1906, reflecting life in the 'Receiving Room' (A+E was a concept not yet developed) of the Royal London Hospital 100 years previously, based on historical hospital records and news reports of the time. A three-episode miniseries, titled Casualty 1907, was developed for broadcast in 2008. Although not a direct spin-off, nor set in the same fictional location, the Times has suggested "that this is BBC high-concept brand-extension at its very best",[30] with the BBC using the popularity of and viewer familiarity with Casualty to launch a new historical drama — a conclusion The Guardian also asserted.[31] A third series, Casualty 1908, featuring Cherie Lunghi, was also commissioned.[32] On 25 March 2009, it was announced that the BBC would be airing Casualty 1909, a six-part series which aired in June and July 2009.[33]

Reception

Awards and nominations

In 2007, Casualty won its first major award, the BAFTA for the best continuing drama. Long-serving Ian Bleasdale, who played the character Josh, accepted the award at the ceremony, which took place at the London Palladium. He said "To the doctors, nurses and ambulance crews, thank you for doing the job you do. I hope we go some way to showing exactly what it is," and dedicated the award to the show's original producer, Geraint Morris, who died in 1997. The cast of the show released the single "Everlasting Love", which peaked at No. 5 in the UK in 1998. On 5 January 2010, it was announced that Casualty had been nominated for the 'Best Drama' award at the National TV Awards, facing competition from Doctor Who, Shameless and The Bill. Since its inception, Casualty has won and been nominated for the following awards:[34]

Year Award Category Nominee Result
2012 Radio Times Creative Diversity Network Soap Award Best Soap Storyline[35] Episode: 21 July 2012 Nominated
2010 British Academy Television Awards Best Continuing Drama – Nominated
2007 British Academy Television Awards Best Continuing Drama – Won
2006 British Academy Television Awards Best Continuing Drama – Nominated
2005 National Television Awards Most Popular Newcomer Elyes Gabel Nominated
2004 British Academy Television Awards Best Continuing Drama Lee Darling Foz Allan Nominated
2002 National Television Awards Most Popular Drama – Nominated
1999 TV Quick Awards Best Loved Drama – Won
1998 National Television Awards Most Popular Newcomer Claire Goose Nominated
Royal Television Society Awards Best Sound — Drama Colin Solloway, Nigel Abbott Won
1997 National Television Awards Most Popular Newcomer Jonathan Kerrigan Nominated
1996 Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award TV — Original Drama Series David Joss Buckley Nominated
1993 British Academy Television Awards Best Drama Series – Nominated
British Academy Television Awards Best Make Up Jan Nethercot Nominated
1992 British Academy Television Awards Best Film or Video Editor (Fiction) Alan Dixon Nominated
British Academy Television Awards Best Video Lighting Cedric Ric Nominated
British Academy Television Awards Best Makeup Sue Kneebone Won
Royal Television Society Awards Best Drama Series – Won
1991 British Academy Television Awards Best VTR Editor Nigel Cattle Nominated
British Academy Television Awards Best Video Lighting Chris Watts Nominated
British Academy Television Awards Best VTR Editor Malcolm Banthorpe Won
1988 British Academy Television Awards Best Sound Supervisor Rod Lewis Nominated

References

  1. ^ "Longest Running Emergency Medical Drama" (Flash). Official Website.
  2. ^ "Casualty: Series 1". DVD Times. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  3. ^ Kempster, Doug (13 September 1998). "Soap stars find a new role ... In the Beeb's latest soap". Sunday Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  4. ^ "Casualty — Fast Facts". BBC Online. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
  5. ^ Sayle, Alexei (21 August 2001). "Alexei Sayle: I'd love to live in Holby City – nothing like the real world". The Independent. London: Independent News & Media. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
  6. ^ "Press Office — BBC confirms Casualty move from Bristol to Cardiff area". BBC. Retrieved 26 March 2009.
  7. ^ "Roath Lock Studios - Casualty". BBC Wales. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  8. ^ "Casualty | Series 7". holby.tv. Retrieved 2 March 2009.
  9. ^ "Casualty Series 26". BBC. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  10. ^ "Casualty Series 27". BBC. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  11. ^ "Casualty Series 28". BBC. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  12. ^ http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-12-27/casualty-listen-to-the-new-titles-music-and-view-the-latest-cast-photo
  13. ^ a b c "Casualty tops future stars league". bbc.co.uk. BBC. 15 March 2004. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
  14. ^ "Casualty — famous faces". Radio Times. Retrieved 3 July 2009.[dead link]
  15. ^ "Series 9 | S9 E15". holby.tv. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  16. ^ "Casualty — Behind Closed Doors (Season 22 Episode 15)". LocateTV. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  17. ^ "Press Office — Network TV Programme Information BBC ONE Weeks 52/53". BBC. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  18. ^ "Celebrity Big Brother star Stephanie Beacham comes a cropper in her guest role in Casualty". mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  19. ^ "Guest Stars — Holby City". Holby.tv Database. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
  20. ^ Plunkett, John (27 April 2006). "Holby City walks the thin blue line". The Guardian. London: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  21. ^ "Crossover Interview". BBC Online. 2004. Retrieved 14 September 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  22. ^ "TV drama in North Wales tunnel". The Daily Post. Liverpool, England. 23 December 2005.
  23. ^ "Jim Shelley Goes For The Jugular 03/01/2006". The Daily Mirror. 3 January 2006. Retrieved 10 September 2007.
  24. ^ "Crossover Interview". BBC.co.uk. 2005. Retrieved 14 September 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  25. ^ "Ask the BOSS!". Inside Soap. November 2007. p. 40.
  26. ^ Green, Kris (5 June 2009). "'Casualty', 'Holby City' crossover planned". Digital Spy. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  27. ^ John Plunkett (27 April 2006). "Holby City walks the thin blue line". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
  28. ^ Kris Green (14 November 2007). "'HolbyBlue' returns with crossover ep". Digital Spy. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
  29. ^ "BBC axes police drama Holby Blue". BBC. 6 August 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
  30. ^ Caitlan Moran (4 December 2006). "The good old days of Casualty. Or not ..." London: The Times. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
  31. ^ Ben Dowell (19 February 2007). "Casualty 1906 to become series". London: Guardian. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
  32. ^ Barber, Richard (10 October 2008). "Cherie Lunghi — Strictly single and loving it". London: Daily Mail.
  33. ^ "Television — News — BBC One to screen 'Casualty 1909'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  34. ^ "Awards for Casualty", IMDb. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  35. ^ "Vote for the Radio Times Creative Diversity Network Soap Award". Radio Times. BBC Magazines. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
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