Huge changes are coming up for Casualty, as BBC bosses are plotting a significant shake-up ahead of the show’s 40th anniversary next year.
The long-running medical show has been in the headlines quite a bit over the past few weeks, following the big news that an independent production company could take control of the programme later this year.
While long-running dramas are often notoriously secretive about the future, the potential behind-the-scenes changes have led to the Beeb publicly announcing its vision for Casualty‘s future in much greater detail than we’re used to.
Here’s everything you need to know…
1. Casualty’s production company could change
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Casualty is currently produced by BBC Studios for BBC One and iPlayer, but that could change from next year.
The medical show is the latest BBC programme to be put out for competitive tender, which means that rival production companies can stake their claim to take control.
If successful, Casualty would still be broadcast on the BBC but would be made by an independent production company. (As a comparative example, Hollyoaks is broadcast on Channel 4 with input from the network, but is produced by an independent firm, Lime Pictures.)
BBC Commissioning has invited pitches from production firms and will review them carefully to see if Casualty would be better served with a different company at the helm.
2. Casualty’s future is secure
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In early 2024, BBC bosses spoke out to deny tabloid rumours that Casualty could be facing the axe.
It turns out they weren’t just bluffing, as the news of Casualty being put out for tender effectively confirms that it’ll be part of the schedules for the next few years.
In a statement last month, the BBC reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to Casualty, reassuring fans that it wouldn’t be going anywhere.
David Pembrey, chief operating officer of BBC Content, said in a statement: “The award-winning Casualty is a hugely important continuing drama which has been on our screens since 1986.
“We are opening it up to competition as part of our ongoing commitment to delivering the very best value for audiences.”
For avoidance of doubt, the new contract for Casualty covers episodes planned to air between 2027 and 2029. There’s also the possibility of a two-year contract extension beyond that, if all goes well.
3. The show could stick with BBC Studios
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BBC Studios is among the companies who’ll be submitting a pitch as part of the competitive tender process. In effect, they’ll be seeking to maintain control of the show and prove they’re still the best team for the job.
There’s precedent for this, as Holby City went through a similar competitive tender process in 2017.
At the time, BBC Studios came out triumphant in the process and continued to produce the show until it ended in 2022.
4. The show is moving to Wales
BBC
As part of the Casualty shake-up, the show’s setting is moving to Wales on a permanent basis, as part of the BBC’s broader ambitions to better represent all areas of Britain.
This marks a significant change, as Casualty has always been set in the fictional city of Holby in the fictional county of Wyvern, which is portrayed on screen as part of south-west England.
Casualty has been filmed at the BBC’s Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff since 2011 and this will continue under the next regime, with the sets and studios staying put.
Moving forwards, though, the in-universe setting of the show will also now be based in Wales.
Firm details of how this will be explained aren’t known yet. Interested production companies have effectively been told that they’ll need to think of a storyline to reflect the change.
The BBC’s official document on Casualty‘s future reads: “We are asking tenderers to include authentic representation of Wales and reflect the reality of the Welsh NHS.
“This is not about radical change of the show, although the move to Welsh portrayal will mean a new fictional hospital based in Wales, and tenderers will need to address this core change in their editorial pitch to the evaluation panel.
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“The successful tenderer will need to be able to demonstrate how to incorporate Welsh portrayal and maintain familiarity at the same time.”
5. Familiar faces will make the move, but there’ll be new additions too
Screengrab//BBC
As we saw when Waterloo Road made its controversial move to Scotland a few years back, some existing cast will make the changeover – which is great news for fans.
“The move to Wales will present opportunities for new cast members, but we would expect much loved characters to remain part of the editorial shift to the location of the new Welsh hospital,” the BBC said.
6. There may be fewer episodes
Screengrab//BBC
In September 2023, Casualty was cut to 36 episodes per series – seven fewer episodes than in previous years.
The BBC has now indicated that this could be cut even further. The official tender document confirms that the Beeb is expecting “a minimum of 24 episodes per series” to be delivered.
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The official contract will be for a period of three years (three series), with the potential for a two-year extension beyond that.
While this could be disappointing news for fans, at least the show will be sticking around unlike other popular soapy favourites like Neighbours, River City and Doctors.
7. Expect a wait for further news
BBC
The tender process is quite long and drawn-out, which you’d naturally expect as the BBC carefully considers the best possible option to take control of Casualty.
A final decision on who’ll take over Casualty (or keep it, if BBC Studios is successful) won’t be made until November this year.
Episodes of the revamped show will need to be delivered to the BBC by late 2026, for broadcast from early 2027 onwards.
