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Privacy NoticeEver wondered what happened to the original cast of Casualty? The British medical drama series has been a firm favourite with UK viewers since it first aired. With its gripping storylines, complex characters and standout performances, Casualty has become one of the longest-running and most loved medical dramas in British TV history. The first season of Casualty introduced us to a brilliant cast, each bringing their own unique touch to their characters and making a name for themselves in the industry. The amazing cast of Season 1 have continued to make waves in the entertainment world, showing off their range and achieving great success after their time on the show. And one person is even still there – Derek Thompson, who plays Charlie Fairhead, has been walking the ward for 38 incredible years. So where is everyone now?
(L-R) Derek Thompson, Rebecca Lacey, Gray O’Brien, Julia Watson, Jonathan Kerrigan and Peter Birch in character for their roles in hospital drama Casualty, circa 1997
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Cast members (L-R) Back row, Lisa Bowerman, Hugh Sachs, Steven Blakeley, Hugh Ross, Brian Protheroe, Derek Hutchinson, Ed Pinker, Middle row, Annie Jackson, Richenda Carey, Carol Starks, Front row, Bessie Carter and Charlie Field attend the after party for Roundabout at Park Theatre on August 25, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
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The longest-serving member Derek Thompson, who has played Charlie from the start, recently announced he is leaving the show. Derek Thompson (Charlie) Derek, who plays Charlie Fairhead, is a familiar face on Casualty and has been with the show for its entire run, making him the longest-serving cast member. Derek has appeared in all 32 series of the show, and his dedication was celebrated during the 30th-anniversary celebrations, where his character Charlie played a key role.
Derek plays Charlie
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His portrayal of Charlie has earned him praise from critics and several award nominations, showing his talent for bringing realness and deep emotion to his roles. In July 2017, it was revealed that Derek was the highest-paid actor at the BBC, earning between £350,000 and £400,000 in the last financial year. However, in 2023, it was announced that after 37 years, Derek would be leaving Casualty; his final scenes air on Saturday, 16 March, in a gripping stabbing storyline. Cathy Shipton (Duffy) Cathy, who played the empathetic and resilient Lisa “Duffy” Duffin, captured the hearts of audiences and became a fan favorite. Beyond Casualty, she has displayed her versatility in various British television and stage productions.
Cathy Shipton was Duffy
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Duffy appeared in the first eight series of the BBC medical drama as the dependable nurse Duffy. After her departure in 1993, Duffy made a comeback in 1998, staying for a five-year stint that also included a guest appearance in Holby City. Cathy has also utilised her influence and platform to advocate for healthcare and raise awareness of important causes, such as the British Heart Foundation. She reprised her role for two episodes in 2006 to celebrate the show’s twentieth anniversary celebrations, as well as returning for two further episodes in 2015. In June 2016, it was announced that she would guest star in the show’s thousandth episode, before returning to the show as a regular cast member in August. The character was killed off on 1 February 2020. In August 2021, it was announced that she had been cast in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, in the guest role of Lydia. Lisa Bowerman (Sandra) Lisa played the significant role of Sandra Mute, Casualty’s first-ever female paramedic, and the first regular character to meet their demise. The actress later returned to the ED in a different capacity, making a guest appearance in 2007. These days, Lisa is perhaps better recognised for her work in Doctor Who and its associated spin-offs, where she starred as companion Bernice Summerfield in the Big Finish Productions’ Doctor Who audio plays. Lisa is also an accomplished professional photographer. Robert Pugh (Andy) Robert portrayed paramedic Andy Ponting in the first series, with his most memorable storyline revolving around his affair with colleague Sandra, mentioned earlier. After departing the show in the second series, Robert has gone on to accumulate numerous noteworthy roles.
Robert Pugh was Andy
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His recent television credits include Game of Thrones, Doctor Foster, and Mr Selfridge. In 2011 he became Judge Patrick Coburn in Justice. The following year he joined HBO’s Game of Thrones in the recurring role of Craster. In 2013 he portrayed Baron Rivers in The White Queen. Pugh played Jack Reynolds in Doctor Foster, and in 2016 joined the cast of Mr Selfridge as Lord Wynstay, another Welsh character. Bernard Gallagher (Ewart) Bernard brought Casualty’s first-ever consultant, Ewart Plimmer, to life during the initial three series of the show before his character met a tragic fate. Following his tenure on the show, Bernard went on to star in the ITV drama Crown Court, where he portrayed Barrister Jonathan Fry.
Actors Bernard Gallagher (left) and Christopher Rozycki
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He also made appearances in several well-known shows, including Bad Girls, Midsomer Murders, EastEnders, and Downton Abbey. Bernard passed away in November 2016 at the age of 87. Brenda Fricker (Megan) Brenda, who played Megan Roach in Casualty, has one of the most successful post-show careers. After leaving the show, she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1989 for her role in My Left Foot, making her the first Irish actress to do so. She even starred as the Pigeon Lady in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, a role which Piers Morgan is repeatedly forced to deny playing.
Actress Brenda Fricker
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Brenda returned to Casualty in 2010 for a memorable euthanasia storyline that led to Megan’s death. In 2021, she joined the cast of Holding, a TV adaptation of Graham Norton’s book, marking her first major onscreen role in six years. Julia Watson (Baz) Julia is best known for playing Baz Wilder, Charlie’s love interest and the mother of his son, Louis. She made a longer return to the show between 1995 and 1998, during which Baz married Charlie and had his child.
Actress Julia Watson in character as Barbara Wilder, or Baz
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Baz came back again in 2003 but sadly died in an accident less than a year later, leaving Charlie to raise Louis alone. Since leaving the show, Julia has continued to work in both theatre and television, with roles in Doctors and Midsomer Murders. George Harris (Clive) George, who portrayed alcoholic nurse Clive King, has had a successful career in film and television since leaving the show. Some of George’s notable roles include Kingsley Shacklebolt in three Harry Potter films and Captain Simon Katanga in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Actor George Harris
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In 2013, he voiced the Abbot of the Black Friars in a BBC radio version of Neil Gaiman’s magical story Neverwhere. Jonathan Kerrigan (Sam) Jonathan played Casualty’s bleach blond-haired nurse Sam Colloby. Having made his screen debut in the video for the Chemical Brothers’ 1995 single Life Is Sweet, Jonathan first arrived on our screens in Casualty when Sam turned up at Holby City Hospital’s A&E ward in 1996 for an interview.
Jonathan Kerrigan was Sam Colloby
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He was written out and went on to star in ITV’s Merseybeat playing PC Steve Traynor in 30 episodes. He then moved on to Heartbeat, set in 1960s Yorkshire, playing Sergeant Rob Walker – where he also composed the show’s theme tune. Jonathan married actress Shelley Conn – who’s featured as Lady Mary Sharma in Netlifx’s Bridgerton – in 2011 and they share a son together. Life’s been busy for him since then, with other roles including starring in The Five, a ten-part drama for Sky 1, penned by US crime writer Harlan Coben, and Death In Paradise, alongside his real-life wife. Sporting a ginger-brown goatee and with brown hair he looks totally different to his days as Sam Colloby, in a transformation not dissimilar to that of former Heartbeat co-star Nick Berry. Watch Casualty on BBC 1, Saturday, 16 March at 9.25pmStory SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnCasualtyDoctor FosterDoctor WhoDownton AbbeyEastEndersGirlsHarry PotterHollyoaksMr SelfridgeDramaGraham Norton
