EastEnders and Death In Paradise star lands major new role on Casualty as BBC show kicks off epic Storm storyline

Casualty

EastEnders and Death In Paradise star lands major new role on Casualty as BBC show kicks off epic Storm storyline

The star has also worked on other hit BBC shows

CASUALTY has signed up a former EastEnders and Death in Paradise star as a new face in Holby ED.

The star also brings real-life experience relating to the NHS to the role.

Casualty has signed up actress Kellie Shirley to join the cast
Casualty has signed up actress Kellie Shirley to join the castCredit: BBC
Kellie played Carly Wicks, daughter of Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) in EastEnders
Kellie played Carly Wicks, daughter of Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) in EastEndersCredit: BBC
She also worked with Phil Daniels, Pam St Clement and Matt Di Angelo during her time in the soap
She also worked with Phil Daniels, Pam St Clement and Matt Di Angelo during her time in the soapCredit: BBC

Kellie Shirley has been cast as new addition Psych Liaison Nurse Sophia Peters, joining as the medical drama begins a new storyline called Storm Damage.

Speaking to Express.co.uk, Kellie shared her family’s real-life connection to the NHS ahead of her new role.

She revealed: “My mum worked for the NHS for 30 years. My grandma worked to the end for the NHS. My mother-in-law worked for the NHS…

“It feels like a really perfect fit to play a part that I can bring a tiny bit of authenticity to.

“And also, in between acting jobs, I worked at King’s in London and Lewisham hospital neuro wards, and so I could try to feed in a little bit of my work downtime as an actor so that’s been quite nice.”

Although Kellie’s first on-screen appearance as Sophia will air this Saturday (June 15), she has been working on the show for some time.

However, while the actress needed to keep the Casualty casting a secret, she admitted to letting one or two people know to get their help with the role.

This includes her own mother, who works as a nurse, with Kellie asking her for advice about the scripts.

She went on to describe her mother as a “mentor” in this respect by wanting to bring as much authenticity as possible to the role.

Kellie also mentioned a fellow parent from her childrens’ school, who has a similar job to her new character.

This person was also a resource to ensure Kellie was portraying Sophia correctly, by double checking details about the story.

Upon her arrival at the ED, Sophia is set to clash with fan favourite Dylan Keogh (William Beck).

Previously, the actress played Carly Wicks, daughter of EastEnders icon Shirley Carter (Linda Henry).

She joined the BBC soap in 2006 and left two years later, but returned for a guest appearance in 2012.

The star's other work includes playing Kirsty in In the Long Run, which was created by Idris Elba

The star’s other work includes playing Kirsty in In the Long Run, which was created by Idris ElbaCredit: Getty

In 2021, the 42-year-old landed a role in hit crime drama Death in Paradise, playing smuggler Pamela Bellman.

She noted the happy coincidence of many Death in Paradise crew members now working on Casualty.

Casualty is on BBC One on Saturday nights with previous episodes available on BBC iPlayer.

The actress played smuggler Pamela Bellman in Death in Paradise

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The actress played smuggler Pamela Bellman in Death in ParadiseCredit: BBC

The star has also worked on other hit BBC shows CASUALTY has signed up a former EastEnders and Death in Paradise star as a new face in Holby ED. The star also brings real-life experience relating to the NHS to the role. Casualty has signed up actress Kellie Shirley to join the castCredit: BBC Kellie played Carly…