Olly Rix, who recently joined the cast of BBC’s Casualty as the new Clinical Lead, Flynn Byron, has revealed a significant influence he had on shaping his character. Rix, known for his role in Call the Midwife, spoke about the collaborative process of bringing Flynn to life.

One of the key things Olly Rix changed or, more accurately, heavily influenced and developed about Flynn Byron, was to emphasize his background as a former special forces medic and how that impacts his behavior and approach within the NHS.

Rix highlighted that the initial concept for Flynn already had a military background, but he delved deeply into how a character with such a specific and intense past would truly adjust to the bureaucratic and often chaotic environment of an NHS emergency department.

• The “Clash” of Worlds: Olly Rix described Flynn’s transition from being a “thinking soldier” in a “very tight community” to working in the NHS as an “amazing clash.” He wanted to explore how someone accustomed to high-stakes, direct action, and a very structured environment would cope with the different pressures, protocols, and emotional demands of civilian medicine. This focus on the psychological and professional adjustment was a significant development.
• Humanity and Nuance: Rix stressed that he aimed to portray Flynn not merely as “a device” to move the plot, but as “a real human being.” He worked with former special forces operatives to understand the physicality and mindset, ensuring that Flynn’s military past wasn’t just a biographical detail but fundamentally shaped his personality, his strengths, and his eventual flaws (like his bluntness or his initial struggles with empathy in certain situations, as seen in his recent interaction with Dylan).
• The “Moral Dilemma” Aspect: This deep dive into Flynn’s background allows the show to explore profound “moral dilemmas” that test his character. Rix emphasized that Flynn is a “high-functioning, very competent alpha-male personality” but the show is asking, “Can you do it when it counts?” This question of whether he can confront his own failings and blind spots, stemming from his unique background, is central to his character arc.

In essence, while the military background was likely part of the initial character brief, Olly Rix’s input was crucial in expanding it into a defining characteristic that explains Flynn’s demeanor, his initial clashes with colleagues, and the internal struggles he faces as he adapts to Holby’s ED. He ensured that Flynn wasn’t just a new boss, but a deeply complex individual shaped by his past.