Casualty exclusive with Charles Venn on Jacob’s mortuary nightmare

Casualty

Casualty exclusive with Charles Venn on Jacob’s mortuary nightmare

Casualty star Charles Venn is no stranger to demanding storylines on BBC1’s medical drama, yet the most recent chapter in the nurse-turned-paramedic’s history takes his beloved character into uncharted territory.

This week in Ghosts Jacob Masters gets the call no parent ever wants to receive – the police have found a body which matches the description of his missing son Blake.

During the episode he endures all the emotions you can imagine and subsequently has to be persuaded by close friends and colleagues Jan Jenning (Di Botcher) and Teddy Gowan (Milo Clarke) to go to the mortuary and identify the young man.

If you’re not crying by the time the credits roll on this episode, airing on Saturday, July 20 at 8.25pm on BBC1, you’ll be in the minority.

Here, What To Watch caught up with Charles, who recently turned 51, to learn more…

Casualty exclusive — Charles Venn

It sounds like Jacob faces his worst nightmare this week in Casualty. What can you tell us, Charles?

“Very much so. It’s a tough storyline, but relatable, filled with pathos, and will tug at the heartstrings. Before Jacob’s son Blake went missing, he was at university and doing well. All of a sudden, he went AWOL and Jacob couldn’t get hold of him. Earlier this year, Jacob found out that Blake has a baby with a woman called Danielle, who has now ended up in prison. Then last week Blake robbed his house and left a note saying ‘I’m sorry Dad’. So, Jacob knows his son is desperate and needs help…”

How is this stressful situation affecting him?

“It’s keeping him up at night. He’s racked with anxiety about what could be happening with his son. Jacob is also struggling to keep up his levels of professionalism at work because he is mentally and physically fatigued. But, at the same time, he needs to get paid – he’s not a man of leisure! He’s got his beautiful grandson Carter to take care of in the middle of this storm.”

For viewers, what happens this week may seem unexpected, but is it something you’ve known about for some time?

“Yes, I knew about it a while back and I was really eager and raring to go. That said, I didn’t expect it to go as deep as it does. There are so many rollercoasters and a lot of tears. Honestly, it’s a tough, challenging storyline but I’m enjoying sinking my teeth into it. In the upcoming episode there is quite an emotional moment that takes place that any parent would definitely be able to relate to and fear – it’s the last thing you ever want to have to do; to ID your child is horrible.”

How was it filming the scenes at the mortuary?

“As an actor you have to tap into dark places at times and surrender yourself to tragic or traumatic moments in your life in order to deliver an emotional performance. I really had to go to some heartrending places, but it was beautiful to share them with Di Botcher, who plays Jacob’s boss Jan Jenning. Di’s an amazing actress and Jan is a pillar of strength for Jacob in his hour of need.”

Whether the deceased young man is Blake or not is top secret, but can you tease what lies ahead?

“It’s a concerning period for Jacob – with everything that’s going on there will be an outward effect where you’ll start to see him behaving a bit irrationally. This storyline goes deep and becomes even more emotionally impactful because Jacob can see his son, Blake, in his grandson, little baby Carter.”

You’ve spoken to us before about working with baby Carter. Is it just us, or does he get cuter every time he’s on screen?

“It’s ridiculous. His cute levels are so high! Each time I see him he’s grown and growing and I don’t know if he’ll recognise me or how he’s going to respond. About two weeks ago I was working with him and I hadn’t seen him for a couple of weeks. Before picking him up I was playing a couple of [peekaboo] games with him and he was smiling, so I took the plunge and his mum gave him to me. As I reached out for him, he looked at me, and then he rested his head on my chest, and his mum said, ‘He doesn’t do that with anyone he doesn’t know.’ It was so cute, he seemed to have an understanding of who I am, at least that’s what it feels like, and we chilled and walked about. He’s a wicked actor, honestly, he’s the best child actor I’ve ever worked with. When that camera rolls, he’s on cue!”

Jacob Masters holding baby Carter with a smiling Iain Dean looking on in Casualty.

Baby Carter is the apple of Jacob’s eye. (Image credit: BBC Studios)

You’ve been playing Jacob as a paramedic since 2023 now. Can you ever imagine returning to the nursing role?

“You know what? I’ve always said you can never say never – things can happen! But I feel that I had a good stint and a lot happened in those nine years of nursing. All of those adventures, from Connie-gate to getting shot, it was a wonderful and amazing time. But now that time has passed, I feel like it was a Jacob reboot 2.0, but never say never. I’m very lucky, it’s a pleasure to play Jacob and the paramedic side is a wonderful new adventure; he slots into that role really well, I think.”

We agree! Having watched him do both, it feels like the ED would almost be too small for him now, as the paramedic world is more expansive and suits his energy and temperament…

“I totally agree. That’s a great way of looking at it and it’s true, Jacob’s world has expanded from being out there as a first responder. He can be spontaneous and think on his feet, although sometimes he may do things that might not necessarily follow typical protocols, but that’s Jacob!”

What can viewers expect from the series in the future?

“There’s a lot going on right now. Casualty’s become a lot more daring with the choice of stunts and we’ve got some great ones coming up – you’re in for a treat! Obviously I’m not at liberty to say too much, but we’ve also got some cool characters coming in, but I can’t give any more away than that!”

We’re going to dig a little here, so please forgive us, but in this episode there’s a moment between new psych nurse Sophia Peters (played by Kellie Shirley) and Jacob. Is there a little flicker of attraction there?

[Laughing] “Do you know what, Jacob is a people person. He’s got time for everyone… he’s a good listener, I will say that much! Let’s just say, he’s hopeful that one day he’ll meet someone, but obviously, he’s handling a tough juggle at the moment. I think Jacob’s eyes are always going to be open [to the possibility of romance] but I think I can safely say that his priority at this point is his family. But keep digging, there ain’t nothing wrong with digging!”

You don’t need to ask us twice! It’s lovely to see those softer scenes between Sophia and Jacob in this episode while they’re treating vulnerable woman Bridge Carroll (Carrie Crowley) and her badly injured daughter Niamh (Carla Langley)…

“Carrie and Carla are a wonderful acting duo. Typically Jacob always has a soft spot for anyone, particularly a woman who’s showing such vulnerability and signs of confusion. I think it has to do with the fact that she reminds him of his late mother Omo (played by Ellen Thomas) and her schizophrenia. That’s why this patient story really strikes a chord with him and he feels compelled to really help Bridge and Niamh. Sadly, through a sequence of events, unfortunately, she accuses him of lying and, of course, it brings back memories of his mother and that sense of distrust. It was a really beautiful episode to work on.”

Kellie spoke to us recently and said she’s enjoyed working with you since joining Casualty…

“It was lovely to hear Kellie say that, it was really sweet. I remember she came on board when I had this quite meaty handover and she was like, ‘Wow, I’m in awe of that,’ and I said, ‘When I can get those handovers out, I’m in awe of myself!’ They’re such mouthfuls, it’s unbelievable. You have to be as prepared as possible so you can get them done in a day, they’re so tricky. Kellie is lovely and a wonderful addition to the show. There is definitely a nice vibe and energy between Jacob and Sophia and because of upcoming events, they are in communication more, although I’m not at liberty to say any more!”

Connie and Jacob heartbroken.

Nothing to see here, just an image of Jacob’s big love, Connie Beauchamp.  (Image credit: BBC)

Catch Charles Venn give a powerhouse performance as heartbroken paramedic Jacob Masters in Casualty episode Ghosts on BBC1, Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 8.25pm. The episode will also be available on BBC iPlayer from 6am.

Coming soon – a chat with Charles on his new short film project How to Navigate Being a Monster.

Casualty star Charles Venn is no stranger to demanding storylines on BBC1’s medical drama, yet the most recent chapter in the nurse-turned-paramedic’s history takes his beloved character into uncharted territory. This week in Ghosts Jacob Masters gets the call no parent ever wants to receive – the police have found a body which matches the description of his…