the original cast of BBC’s Casualty from its debut in 1986 and what they’ve been doing since! It’s fascinating to look back at where it all began for such an iconic show.

The original cast was quite small, focusing on the core team in the Holby City ED. Here’s a look at some of the most prominent original cast members and where they are now, as would typically be covered in an article like the one from MyLondon:

1. Derek Thompson (Charlie Fairhead)

   • Original Role: Charge Nurse Charlie Fairhead.
   • Where is he now? This is the easiest one! Derek Thompson remained with Casualty as Charlie Fairhead for an astonishing 38 years, making him the show’s longest-serving actor and one of the longest-serving characters in TV drama worldwide. He recently made his emotional final departure from the show in March 2024, marking the end of an era. He’s since been confirmed to be narrating a new Channel 5 series, Traffic Cops.

2. Brenda Fricker (Megan Roach)

   • Original Role: Nurse Megan Roach.
   • Where is she now? Brenda Fricker left Casualty in 1990 but made guest appearances in 1998, 2007, and for Megan’s final emotional exit in 2010. She is an Oscar-winning actress (Best Supporting Actress for My Left Foot in 1990) and has had a distinguished career in film and television, including roles in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, The Field, and Albert Nobbs. She largely retired from acting in 2014.

3. Bernard Gallagher (Ewart Plimmer)

   • Original Role: Consultant Ewart Plimmer.
   • Where is he now? Bernard Gallagher played the lead consultant in the first two series. After Casualty, he had a long and varied career in TV, film, and theatre, appearing in shows like The Bill, Doctors, and Heartbeat. Sadly, Bernard Gallagher passed away in 2018 at the age of 89.

4. Lisa Bowerman (Sandra Mute)

   • Original Role: Paramedic Sandra Mute.
   • Where is she now? Lisa Bowerman left Casualty in 1987. She is very well-known to Doctor Who fans for playing Bernice Summerfield in numerous audio dramas for Big Finish Productions. She also appeared in The Andromeda Strain and has had many roles in British TV.

5. Christopher Guard (Andrew Ponting)

   • Original Role: Paramedic Andrew Ponting.
   • Where is he now? Christopher Guard left the show after the first series. He has had a notable career in theatre, film (including The Lord of the Rings animated film as Frodo Baggins), and television, with appearances in Doctors, The Bill, and various stage productions.

These original actors laid the groundwork for what would become one of the longest-running medical dramas in the world!

The original cast was quite small, focusing on the core team in the Holby City ED. Here’s a look at some of the most prominent original cast members and where they are now, as would typically be covered in an article like the one from MyLondon: Derek Thompson (Charlie Fairhead) Original Role: Charge Nurse Charlie…