The BBC medical drama Casualty first aired in 1986, set in the fictional Holby City Hospital. The opening series comprised 15 episodes and featured storylines involving a toxic gas outbreak, sexual assault, a steamy affair and a devastating diagnosis.
Over the years, numerous well-known stars have made cameo appearances, including Kate Winslet, Orlando Bloom, Tom Hiddleston and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. As the show approaches its 40th anniversary, here is what the original cast members have been up to since.
Derek Thompson's exit and return to acting
Derek Thompson was a staple on the programme for decades before departing his role as Charlie Fairhead in 2024. Despite widespread disappointment among viewers over his exit, the actor admitted "the time has come for me to hang up Charlie's scrubs" after three decades on the medical drama, reports the Daily Star.
Following his departure, he took on the role of a former police officer named Robin Graham in the Irish crime thriller Blue Lights. That marked his first significant television role following his Casualty exit after 38 years. He also made a guest appearance in the final episode of ITV's Vera as Gordon Spencer in 2025.
Lisa Bowerman's Doctor Who spin-off role
Lisa Bowerman portrayed Sandra Mute in Casualty and was the programme's first female paramedic. She remained with the BBC series until 1987, when her character met a tragic end after being stabbed by a patient. Nevertheless, Lisa made a comeback in 2007 as an entirely different character, appearing as a guest in the role of Mrs Lowe.
Beyond her Casualty work, Lisa provides the voice of Bernice "Benny" Summerfield in the Doctor Who audio spin-off, a role she has held for more than twenty years. She is also an audio drama director, having helmed numerous series for Big Finish Productions. Away from performing, Lisa has an unexpected career as an accomplished photographer.
Brenda Fricker's Oscar win and tragic death
Brenda Fricker portrayed nurse Megan Roach in the BBC series before departing in 1990 at the conclusion of the fifth series. While she made several appearances over the years, her character met a tragic end in 2010. Following her stint in the medical drama, Brenda went on to appear in films such as Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and A Time to Kill. She also won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1990 for her performance in My Left Foot.
Throughout the years, she spoke candidly about her mental health battles, having suffered from severe depression and been hospitalised on numerous occasions. During a conversation with Brendan O'Connor on RTÉ Radio 1, she described what living with depression felt like. She added: "You're mentally locked into a place where you're not happy, and that is the sad bit." Tragically, she died in July 2026 at the age of 81, following a period of ill health.
Robert Pugh and Cathy Shipton's later careers
Robert Pugh portrayed Andrew "Andy" Ponting on Casualty for the opening two series before departing in 1987. However, BBC viewers witnessed the actor's return 36 years later in 2023, playing an entirely different character, Gethin West. Following his exit from the programme, he enjoyed a prosperous career, appearing in productions including Silent Witness, Vera, Mr Selfridge and Doctor Foster. Nevertheless, one of his most memorable roles came when he played Craster in the acclaimed series Game of Thrones.
Despite this, the Welsh star admitted he hasn't watched the worldwide phenomenon, telling Walesonline in 2013: "I've never seen Game of Thrones. Everybody's been saying, 'You're in this, you're in this', and I've completely forgotten it." He added: "I've never watched it because it's a bit science fictiony and it's not my bag, really."
Cathy Shipton is best recognised for her portrayal of Lisa 'Duffy' Duffin in Casualty, one of the programme's most cherished nurses and spouse to Charlie Fairhead. While she officially departed in 1993, Cathy made several comebacks to the BBC medical drama. Audiences witnessed her return five years after leaving, where she remained until 2003. As part of the programme's 30th anniversary in 2016, Cathy reprised her role once more. Sadly, her character was killed off in 2020 after a catastrophic bleed on the brain following a seizure during her ongoing dementia battle.
Following her stint on the programme, she went on to feature in shows such as Hollyoaks and Doctors. In 2023, she joined what is widely considered the world's longest running play for its 70th anniversary, Dame Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap. Other notable names who formed part of the original cast of the BBC medical drama include the late Bernard Gallagher, Debbie Roza, George Harris, Christopher Rozycki and Julia Watson. Casualty is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
