Casualty spoilers follow.

Next week, Casualty is doing something a little different – pausing the action of the

current series to air a special flashback episode focusing on nurse Jodie.

Jodie’s actions have put Dylan’s career at risk, while her furious friend Rida challenged her

to figure out why she makes these destructive choices. The next episode will go some way to doing just that, highlighting an important time in Jodie’s life during her time as a student midwife.

Here is everything you need to know about this format-breaking episode of the current boxset ‘Public Property’ – aptly titled ‘Jodie’.

1. The episode is set in 2020

In this episode, we are taken back to January 2020 and are in the maternity unit of Brockwell Hospital – where Jodie is working as a busy student midwife. The actions begin straight away, with Jodie successfully helping patient Hannah who has had a bad reaction to some painkillers. Her good work doesn’t go unnoticed by doctor Henry, and there is evidently a spark between the pair.

2. Laurie Brett guest stars

EastEnders legend Laurie Brett makes a special guest appearance in this episode, playing stern midwife Maria, who Jodie is keen to impress on her placement. When Henry calls Jodie and fellow student Vicky into his office, Vicky is scolded by Maria for how she handled the incident with Hannah, while Jodie gets a compliment.

Maria explains that a permanent position at the hospital will become available at the end of their placement – but only one, with Jodie and Vicky having to compete for the job.

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3. We meet Jodie’s mum

This episode also introduces viewers to Jodie’s mum Rachel (Lucy Lowe), who used to be a nurse herself but is now being treated for cancer. As the current series began on the anniversary of Rachel’s death, there are poignant scenes ahead as Jodie’s relationship with her late mum is explored for the first time.

Jodie looks after her mum in the episode – they have breakfast together and she helps her daughter to study. But Jodie gets concerned when her mum’s carers install a bed in the living room. With Rachel’s health deteriorating, it seems that she is hiding the seriousness of her condition from Jodie.

4. A patient causes concern

At work, Jodie treats a panicked patient called Ali, with her and her boyfriend Lucas concerned that her waters have broken. Later, Ali returns to the hospital as she is still experiencing discomfort. Jodie feels that she should investigate further, but Maria doesn’t believe that this is an emergency and wants to send Ali home.

Ali continues to contact Jodie with worries about her pregnancy – was her gut instinct correct?

Related: Casualty casts Cold Feet star for new boxset

5. Jodie’s past is revealed

While not giving away too much about this special episode, Jodie is forced to deal with some major trauma in the early days of her career. She also navigates heartache in her personal life and tries to seek closure in the wrong places. Present day Jodie’s recent decisions have been questionable, but this flashback will allow viewers to get to know her more and will provide an insight into her past.

Casualty airs on Saturday nights on BBC One and now streams first on BBC iPlayer, where episodes are released at 6am on the day of transmission.

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