Casualty series 24

Lore & Background

The series was produced by the BBC and aired on BBC One. In April 2010, production staff staged a protest at the Casualty studios over the dismissal of seven staff members from the show's props department. Media entertainment trade union BECTU claimed the staff members were dismissed after 11 months and two weeks of service so that the BBC could avoid granting them rights allowed to employees who have worked for the company for a year or longer. BECTU supervisory official Helen Ryan stated: 'This treatment of individuals would be unacceptable and immoral coming from any employer. However the fact this it is the BBC, a publicly funded and universally respected broadcaster will cause many to view the BBC in a new light.' A petition against the decision was circulated, and BECTU representatives urged the dismissed employees to launch a formal appeal against the BBC.

Reader's Guide

Casualty series 24 is significant as part of the long-running British medical drama, featuring a large ensemble cast including Tristan Gemmill, Michael French, Sunetra Sarker, Georgia Taylor, Steven Miller, Will Sharpe, Laura Aikman, Derek Thompson, Suzanne Packer, Ben Turner, Jane Hazlegrove, Matt Bardock, Sophia Di Martino, Charles Dale, Sam Grey, Tony Marshall, and Gillian Kearney. The series included a crossover with sister show Holby City, with Paul Bradley reprising his role as Elliot Hope. Brenda Fricker also reprised her role as original character Megan Roach, whose character died during a guest story arc. The series featured numerous guest stars including Georgia Tennant, Joe McFadden, Robert Boulter, Raymond Coulthard, Michael Maloney, Stephanie Beacham, Ron Moody, Linda Robson, Anthony Costa, Barry Sloane, Chris Fountain, Margaret John, Matthew Needham, Mark Letheren, Evelyn Hoskyns, and Lucy Gaskell. The production controversy over staff dismissals highlighted labor issues within the BBC.

Did You Know?

• The series included a crossover with sister show Holby City, featuring Paul Bradley as Elliot Hope.
• Brenda Fricker reprised her role as original Casualty character Megan Roach, though the character was not killed off until series 26 (episode 'The Last Day', aired 2012).
• In April 2010, production staff staged a protest over the dismissal of seven props department staff members.
• BECTU claimed the dismissals occurred after 11 months and two weeks to avoid granting employee rights.