The BBC has announced that the beloved medical drama Casualty is set to be put out for tender. This move follows in the footsteps of fellow medical series Holby City, which was unfortunately cancelled.
The broadcaster has reassured fans that the show will remain on the air and they’ll retain all programme rights.
Now, BBC Commissioning is on the lookout for a new producer for Casualty, and they’re officially accepting pitches.
It’s been confirmed by the BBC that production will continue in Cardiff, emphasising the show’s significance to Wales’ creative industry.
BBC Content’s Chief Operating Officer, David Pembrey, said: “The award-winning Casualty is a hugely important continuing drama which has been on our screens since 1986. We are opening it to competition as part of our ongoing commitment to delivering the very best value for audiences.”
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Last year, the BBC announced that Casualty would temporarily step away from TV listings. On September 23, the network tweeted: “#Casualty will return. Casualty is on a break and will be back on your screens later this year.”
WhatToWatch received confirmation from an official spokesperson regarding the show’s continued run later in the year.
After delighting audiences with a Christmas special, Casualty made a triumphant return to the BBC in March.
The recent shake-up has left fans voicing their opinions with a range of reactions.
One viewer complained on X, “They should have done this for Holby City instead of axing it outright, Holby was way better than Casualty.”
Another added: “All this reminds me of when ITV decided to axe The Bill. Apparently these domestic workplace dramas must be more expensive to produce than they look.”
Another expressed doubt over the decision, saying: “An odd move, I doubt Casualty is an expensive show to make. And if that’s the case where is the money going to come from for Doccy Who? You could probably make a season of Casualty for what one episode would cost.”
In a surprising turn of events, November 2024 saw the BBC pull the plug on the long-running medical soap Doctors after a 24-year run, attributing the decision to “super inflation in drama production,” which has driven up costs significantly.