CASUALTY will experience a huge schedule shake-up this weekend amid a gripping double bill.

The BBC medical drama has been a firm favourite with viewers since launching in 1986.

On Saturday, fans will get the twice the amount of content with a double bill being aired on BBC One.

The first instalment will be on screen at 8.25pm, followed by the later edition at 9:15pm.

A synopsis for the earlier episode, “The Truth Will Set You Free”, teases drama for several characters.

It reads: “Siobhan’s struggles with her personal and work woes reach boiling point as the ED fills up with the injured from a nearby protest and she receives a telling message from Rich that was not intended for her.

“Nicole and Ngozi disagree over the best birth plan, Cam is worried that Bobby will turn up to Jamie’s funeral, and Faith is dismayed when the school liaison officer wants to suspend Luka.”

Meanwhile, a summary for the second episode, “Freedom”, also hints at suspenseful scenes ahead for viewers.

It reads as follows: “As the ED goes into lockdown, Iain and Teddy pick up a patient suffering serious burns and rush her to hospital – only for their ambulance to be driven off the road.

“Jacob decides its down to him to get his son the help he needs, Dylan reflects on his feelings for Sophia, and Nicole and Rosie ponder the challenges of parenthood.”

It comes as ex Casualty star Sunetra Sarker slammed the handling of Derek Thompson’s exit earlier this year.

Derek, 76, had played nurse Charlie Fairhead from the very first episode until his departure in March.

Former co-star Sunetra said: “Y’know, I feel like he deserved a lot more, personally.

“I feel like I wish we could have had him on every channel talking about his departure.”

The Northern Irish actor announced his departure from the long-running role back in May 2023.

He had appeared in almost 900 episodes across his near four-decade stint.

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Derek said at the time: “The time has come for me to hang up Charlie’s scrubs after the most wonderful 37 years.

“Charlie Fairhead was inspired by a real nurse – Pete Salt.

“Together with the writers and producers, I have tried to bring to Charlie the compassion, kindness, heroism and sound judgement that we all see and love in Pete and I want to say thanks to Pete and everyone else over that time who has inspired me in bringing this character to life.”

Casualty airs on BBC One and is available on iPlayer.