BBC medical drama Casualty could be about to face a major format shake-up after almost four decades on television screens in a bid to “secure longevity and attract younger viewers” after Doctors and Holby City’s brutal axe.
It was confirmed in 2021 that spin-off show Holby City, which first aired in 1999, had been cancelled after 23 years and concluded after its 23rd series with the last ever episode airing in March 2022.
The final instatement of Doctors aired last month after 27 years but Casualty has remained part of the Beeb’s Saturday primetime schedule since its debut back in 1986 and recently aired a gripping Christmas Day special on Saturday (December 21) night despite usually taking a break over the festive period.
Opening up about the future of Casualty ahead of its 40th anniversary in 2026, Brand and culture expert Rochelle White from Rochelle White Agency said: “In regards to Casualty coming back for a Christmas Special, I feel that this could be a way for the BBC to see if it is a show keeping and investing in. I’m aware that they have taken breaks in the past due to increasing costs. However, this could be a test to see how popular it is.
“It currently airs every Saturday, but it could be turned into more like Midsummer Murders on ITV, be hour and a half long specials. Where it airs once or twice a month and focuses on a theme and story.
“As they currently break it up into a mini series, they could get really creative with the storytelling and create episodes for what is now known as the ‘Binge watcher’. It could help with the costs of production, secure longevity and attract younger viewers.”
It has been confirmed that Casualty will continue next Saturday (December 28) with the first episode of an 11-part series called ‘Off Duty’ which will see Jodie Whyte’s (Anna Lucy Chell) actions cause a disastrous ripple effect with Stevie Nash (Elinor Lawless) faces hostility.