Casualty spoilers follow.

Casualty has shared some first-look images for the show’s upcoming festive special, which will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this December.

The innovative standalone episode, announced in September, is titled ‘All I Want for Christmas’, and is presented as a tribute to the miracle of blood.

The special is set on Christmas Day in the Emergency Department, where the team continues to treat patients.

However, things are made more difficult when there is an emergency blood shortage at the hospital.

James Pardon//BBC

Stevie fights to save lives in the ED, while Iain puts his own life on the line to ensure that the hospital doesn’t go without a supply of blood.

Casualty‘s newest instalment will be format-breaking, in line with other memorable episodes – such as the celebration of 75 years of the NHS, which aired last year.

The upcoming special will feature real-life testimonies from contributors who have been directly impacted by UK blood donation, plus interviews with key workers who help run the country’s blood service.

BBC

The Christmas episode, written by Erin Kubicki and directed by Steve Hughes, will include several guest stars alongside the regular cast, including former Coronation Street and Hollyoaks actor Lucy-Jo Hudson, and Poldark and The Crown‘s Tristan Sturrock.

Also appearing are Breathtaking‘s Joseph Charles, Waterloo Road‘s Katy Carmichael and DI Ray‘s Valerie Antiwi, alongside Zoe Brough, who plays Faith’s daughter Natalia.

Alistair Heap//BBC

“We’re so excited for viewers to see this incredible Christmas special, which genuinely made me gasp,” said Rebecca Ferguson, commissioning editor for BBC Drama.

“It’s tense, thrilling and super-charged with emotion.”

Roxanne Harvey, executive producer for BBC Studios Drama Production, added: “We’re so proud of this life-affirming episode.

Alistair Heap//BBC

“Beautifully told, with ambitious production values and outstanding performances, this is entertaining, thought-provoking drama at its very best.”

Fans won’t have long to wait for more Casualty after the Christmas special, as the next series will kick off later in December.

To find out more about blood donation, visit blood.co.uk or the NHS Blood and Transplant website.

Casualty airs on Saturday nights on BBC One and now streams first on BBC iPlayer, where episodes are released at 6am on the day of transmission.