Casualty series 33

The thirty-third series of *Casualty* aired on BBC One from 11 August 2018 to 10 August 2019, consisting of 46 episodes. Lucy Raffety and Simon Harper remained series producer and executive producer, respectively. The series was promoted as "The Year of the Paramedic" and opened with a motorway collision stunt. It included a crossover episode with the spin-off *Holby City*. Six regular cast members left, including Azuka Oforka as Louise Tyler and Chelsea Halfpenny as Alicia Munroe, while Amanda Mealing as Connie Beauchamp departed in episode 44. Four new regulars joined, and two actors appeared in recurring roles. The series was originally planned for 47 episodes. Kate Oates became senior executive producer in October 2018 and was promoted to Head of Continuing Drama six months later. Raffety announced her resignation on 16 April 2019. In an interview with *TVTimes*, she described the series as the "Year of the Paramedic," leading to the introduction of two new paramedic characters. The premiere on 11 August 2018 was promoted as one of the show's biggest episodes. Filming for a motorway crash and a petrol tanker overturning was reported in May 2018. Digital Spy's Sophie Dainty noted an explosion would leave a main character's life in danger. An official statement said the paramedic crew would "face their darkest day." Charlotte Salt, who played Sam Nicholls, told *What's on TV* that night shoots for the episode lasted over 13 hours across two weeks, describing a "buzz in the air" on set. Sam dies from a cardiac arrest caused by a tension pneumothorax in the crash, triggering a grief storyline for Iain. A trailer on 12 August teased "a new era" for the hospital, previewing Iain's guilt, the arrivals of Zsa Zsa and Omo, Eddie's trial for Alicia's rape, and difficult scenes for Charlie and Duffy. On 16 November 2018, *Casualty*'s Instagram page announced new title credits, which debuted in episode 13 on 17 November 2018, replacing the titles introduced in series 31. Raffety told Digital Spy in August 2018 that Harper enjoyed crossovers and wanted more, teasing "extremely exciting" ones. In December 2018, Harper promised further crossovers and an "exciting" event in spring 2019. *Holby City* actor Alex Walkinshaw (Adrian "Fletch" Fletcher), who appeared in *Casualty* from 2012 to 2014, crossed over in episode 31.