Fans of the long-running BBC medical drama Casualty were finally reunited with the staff of Holby City Hospital's Emergency Department this weekend. The show made its highly anticipated return to BBC One on Saturday, 10th January 2026, after an extended break of several months, and viewers immediately noticed some significant changes in the roster.
New Faces in the ED Stir Up Trouble
The episode, set on the hottest day of the year, saw the medical team battling the heat while handling a series of crises. The drama was amplified by the arrival of two new characters. Newly-qualified resident doctor Matty Linlaker, played by Aron Julius, made an instant impression, clashing with staff members Jodie Whyte (Anna Chell) and Flynn Byron (Olly Rix).
However, the most intriguing development involved senior doctor Dylan Keogh (William Beck). Dylan became convinced that Matty could be his long-lost son, a suspicion that Clinical Nurse Manager Stevie Nash (Elinor Lawless) decided to investigate. After Stevie directly asked Matty for his mother's name, the connection seemed all but confirmed, leaving Dylan reeling.
Emotional Turmoil and a Case of Mistaken Identity
The other newcomer, doctor Kim Chang (Jasmine Bayes), faced her own challenges while adjusting to the frenetic pace of the A&E. Assigned a locker that once belonged to staff nurse Ngozi Okoye (Adesuwa Oni), Kim inadvertently stirred painful memories for Nicole Piper (Sammy Dobson).
When Kim mentioned that a mirror in the locker had been fitted for an ex-partner, she wrongly assumed Ngozi had died. Nicole was deeply upset by the suggestion, but the tension was quickly diffused when Ngozi herself called from a rehabilitation facility, confirming she was very much alive and on the mend.
Viewers Ecstatic for the Show's Comeback
The return of Casualty after its hiatus was met with an outpouring of joy on social media. Fans took to platform X to express their delight at having their favourite Saturday night drama back on screen.
One viewer exclaimed, "Casualty is finally back! So excited for this new series! #Casualty." Another added, "Here we go!!!! After 4 months away due to Strictly #Casualty is finally back." The sentiment was widely shared, with comments like "Yay, it's casualty time, I'm so happy to have my favourite Saturday night drama back" and "#casualty Great to have you back. I missed you and the lovely actors." The character of Kim also received early praise, with one fan stating, "Loving Kim. Such a lovely character. Welcome back Casualty."
Casualty continues its run, airing every Saturday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
