Fears for Casualty after 39 years following Holby City and River City axings as BBC makes big move
FEARS are growing for Casualty after BBC bosses make a big decision behind-the-scenes amid Holby City and River City’s axe.
The long-running medical drama first launched in 1986 and has been a staple of the schedule ever since.
However, with its companion show Holby City cancelled by the Beeb in 2022, Casualty fans have maintained fearful of its future ever since.
The Sun previously revealed how crew working on Casualty have been told there’s just two more series left.
Due to “super-inflation in drama production” and a string of cost-cutting measures, staff say they have been told their contract renewals will be the last.
And now it’s been revealed Beeb bosses will no longer produce the drama as they seek a new production company to take over.
Since 2012, BBC Cymru Wales has produced episodes of Casualty, having taken over from BBC Bristol.
Addressing fan fears, the BBC said the show will continue to be made in Cardiff and it remains an important part of Wales’ output.
David Pembrey, Chief Operating Officer, BBC Content, 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.”
Last year the BBC opened Blue Peter up for competitive tender – and last month it aired its final ever live episode on TV.
Meanwhile, just last month Casualty won Best Soap and Continuing Drama in a surprise result at the RTS Awards as it beat off competition from fellow BBC show EastEnders and Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.
Casualty found out it won the top gong at a prestigious ceremony at London’s JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel.
Comedian and Cooking With The Stars host Tom Allen delivered the results in front of a packed out crowd filled with telly favourites.
Last year Casualty legend Derek Thompson quit the show after whopping 38 years playing the fan-favourite role of Charlie Fairhead.
BBC crime dramas
The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.
Here’s a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.
- Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison.
- Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.
- Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.
- Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.
- Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.
- Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.
- Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.
- Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.
- Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.
- Line Of Duty: Created by Jed Mercurio, this drama follows the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. Stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, aired from 2012 to 2021.
- Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.
- New Tricks: Warm-hearted drama following an eccentric group of old-fashioned detectives. Starring Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam. Aired from 2003 to 2015.
- Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch stars a modern day Sherlock Holmes, teaming up with Martin Freeman‘s war veteran Dr Watson to solve impossible crimes. Aired from 2010 to 2017.
- Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.
- The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.
- Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.
- Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he’s tasked to investigate while Wallander’s job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.