Casualty (series 1)

Casualty series 1
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of episodes	15
Release
Original network	BBC One
Original release	6 September 1986 – 27 December 1986

The first series of the British medical drama television series Casualty aired between 6 September and 27 December 1986 on BBC One.

Development

Originally titled "Front Line", Casualty was the then BBC Head of Drama Jonathan Powell's choice out of two potential new dramas being developed to fill the gap left by the police drama series Juliet Bravo on Saturday nights. The other idea was considered the safer option, a cottage hospital series; however, Powell decided to go for the more off-the-wall idea and gave the greenlight to develop a new drama series based around the work of A&E departments. On his decision, Powell commented: "I went for Casualty because there was a feeling of life and passion and, well I was anxious for new young people to create something." On the creators, Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin, he remarked: "I put them with a very experienced producer, Geraint Morris, and hoped for the best."

Casualty eventually aired on UK television for the first time on 6 September 1986 and ran for an opening series of 15 episodes. Whilst on screen the major storyline to hit Holby's A&E department that year was the fight to keep the night shift open despite managerial attempts to close it down; however, off screen the picture wasn't so different: Casualty soon found itself being condemned by Margaret Thatcher's government as well as being slammed by the Royal College of Nursing and real life nurses objecting to how they were portrayed on screen. After just 8 episodes had aired, co-creator, Brock found himself hauled in front of BBC Management to defend the series. Various changes were implemented such as cutting down on the excessive amounts of smoking in the series (perhaps reflecting the falling number of British people who were giving up smoking in real life during the 1980s) but the series remained true to its form and continued to portray storylines concerning NHS funding and poor hospital conditions.

Amid all of the controversy surrounding the series, it was beginning to appear as if the groundbreaking hospital drama would meet an unjustified early end. Work on a second series had already begun, however, and with 15 new scripts prepared and paid for, the BBC continued with the series. It is still running more than 25 years later^[1][2]

Cast

The first series of Casualty featured an ensemble cast of characters in the medical profession, who worked in the hospital's emergency department. The original characters were consultant Ewart Plimmer (Bernard Gallagher), Senior house officer Baz Samuels (Julia Watson), nurses Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson), Megan Roach (Brenda Fricker), Clive King (George Harris) and Lisa "Duffy" Duffin (Cathy Shipton), paramedics Sandra Mute (Lisa Bowerman) and Andrew Ponting (Robert Pugh), receptionist Susie Mercier (Debbie Roza) and porter Kuba Trzcinski (Christopher Rozycki). Nigel Anthony and Sonia Woolley had recurring roles as Ted Roach and Ros Plimmer respectively.^[3]

Thompson has continued in the show from its inception to the present date. Shipton remained in the role of Duffy until 1993, then returned from 1998 to 2003. She returned to the show as a guest-star in 2006, for two special episodes set in Cambodia and in Series 30 she returned for the first two episodes as an agency nurse in 2015. She is also set to return for a period in Spring 2016 .^[4] Fricker continued as Megan until series five, episode 13. Since then, the character has made guest returns in series 12 and series 21, and returned for four episodes in series 24, when the character was killed off.^[5] Watson remained in the show until the end of the first series. She made a comeback in series nine, episode 20, and continued as a regular until series 12, episode 26, when Baz married Charlie. After this, Baz would not be seen in the show again until series 18, episode 12. Watson made her final in series 18, episode 19, when Baz was killed off following a road accident. Bowerman's character, Sandra Mute, was killed off in series two, episode 4. However, Bowerman made a return to the series in 2007 for a cameo role as a patient.

The series also featured a number of guest stars. Graham Cole played a doctor in the opening episode, and Michael Garner appeared as a policeman in episode four. Also in episode four, Alfred Molina played Harry Horner and Vas Blackwood appeared as Bob. Stella Gonet played anaesthetist Clare Wainwright in episodes four and seven, and would later go on to become a main cast member in Holby City, playing CEO Jayne Grayson. Perry Fenwick appeared in episode nine as Marvin Osborne.^[2] Blackwood would later play the role of receptionist David Sinclair from series eleven, episodes 21 to 24. Maggie McCarthy appeared in episode four, and would later play the guest role of receptionist Ada in series four episode twelve, before being cast as receptionist Helen Green in series five, from episodes one to thirteen.

Key storylines

The key storyline of the show's first episode was a toxic gas outbreak at Holby docks. Subsequent major storylines included the collapse of Ewart's marriage to Roz, the beginning of Baz's affair with Charlie, Megan's cancer diagnosis, Duffy falling victim to rape, and the threat of the department being shut down.^[6]

Episodes

Episode No.[nb 1]	Series No.	Episode	Director	Writer(s)	Original airdate
1	1	"Gas"	Frank W. Smith	Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin	6 September 1986
A gas explosion at the docks causes a rush of casualties choking on the fumes, but can an antidote be found in time? Notes: Characters Charlie Fairhead, Ewart Plimmer, Megan Roach, Lisa "Duffy" Duffin, Andrew Ponting, Sandra Mute, Clive King, Baz Samuels and Kuba Trzcinski are introduced. Guest starring Graham Cole.[7]
2	2	"Hide and Seek"	Frank W. Smith	Paul Unwin and Jeremy Brock	13 September 1986
A hysterical woman who threatens to kill a baby tests Baz's patience and ability to the limit.
3	3	"Night Runners"	Antonia Bird	Matthew Bardsley	20 September 1986
A policeman is stabbed at a local football fixture, but is the situation as simple as it seems? A Christian Scientist's beliefs puts her life at a risk.
4	4	"Jump Start"	Antonia Bird	Susan Wilkins	27 September 1986
The night-shift are faced with a motorway pile-up, bleeding Madonna wannabes, and a drunk Fleet Street journalist. Guest starring Alfred Molina, Stella Gonet, Vas Blackwood, Vincent Pickering and Michael Garner.[8]
5	5	"Blood Brothers"	Antonia Bird	Wally K Daly	4 October 1986
A desperate runaway is in need of help, and prejudices are challenged when a gay haemophiliac arrives with a cut hand. Baz's long-term future at Casualty looks doubtful.
6	6	"High Noon"	Frank W. Smith	Ray Brennan	11 October 1986
A law student refuses to accept a diagnosis of Epilepsy, whilst Duffy organises a protest against the planned Casualty service cuts.
7	7	"Professionals"	Frank W. Smith	Susan Wilkins	18 October 1986
A terrified woman is brought in who has been raped and badly beaten. It does not take the staff very long to discover who the culprit is, but confronting him is fraught with difficulties.
8	8	"Crazies"	Renny Rye	Matthew Bardsley	25 October 1986
When Holby's taxi drivers are attacked, Megan worries for the safety of her driver husband. Ewart grows concerned about the safety of his staff.
9	9	"Moonlight Becomes You"	Renny Rye	Ray Brennan	8 November 1986
When a patient comes into Casualty from an old people's home, a chain of events begins which culminates in a kidnapping. Guest starring Perry Fenwick, Michael Bilton and Eric Francis.[9]
10	10	"Teeny Poppers"	Renny Rye	Janey Pregar	15 November 1986
Trouble is afoot for Ewart when a young Asian youth dies in Casualty and his family threaten the unit with legal action. Megan is brought in for treatment.
11	11	"Drunk"	Jan Sargent	Lise Mayer	22 November 1986
Rumours of a Royal Visit to Casualty cause havoc. Baz and Charlie fight for the life of a half-drowned boy, but their joy at saving him is overshadowed when one of their own is brought in by ambulance.
12	12	"Quiet"	Michael Brayshaw	Roy Mitchell	6 December 1986
Casualty is besieged by all manners of cases, including the victor of a boxing match and an addict who has taken an overdose. A recuperating Megan proves a valuable confidant for Duffy.
13	13	"No Future"	Jan Sargent	Paul Unwin and Jeremy Brock	13 December 1986
A dramatic siege on Megan's estate threatens the life of a child, but the perpetrator is found to be neither terrorist nor madman.
14	14	"Survival"	Michael Brayshaw	Wally K Daly	20 December 1986
The staff is sympathetic when Arthur, who suffers from a heart condition, expresses a desire to end his misery. Baz makes a decision about her pregnancy.
15	15	"Closure"	Jan Sargent	Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin	27 December 1986
There is little in the way of Christmas cheer, as the department faces the threat of imminent closure. Morale plummets, inspiring Charlie to organise an impromptu pantomime. Cast changes: Clive King and Baz Samuels depart.

Notes

1. "Episode No." refers to the episode's number in the overall series, whereas "Series No." refers to the episode's number in this particular series.

References

1. "Casualty | Series 2". holby.tv. 12 September 1987. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
2. "Casualty | Series 1". holby.tv. 6 September 1986. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
3. "Full cast and crew for "Casualty" (1986)". Internet Movie Database. Amazon.com. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
4. Green, Kris (23 September 2006). "Cathy Shipton". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
5. Nolan, Lorna (3 October 2009). "Brenda back in Casualty after a break of 20 years". Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
7. "Full cast and crew for "Casualty" Gas (1986)". Internet Movie Database. Amazon.com. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
8. "Full cast and crew for "Casualty" Jump Start (1986)". Internet Movie Database. Amazon.com. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
9. "Full cast and crew for "Casualty" Moonlight Becomes You... (1986)". Internet Movie Database. Amazon.com. Retrieved 23 August 2010.

External links

• Casualty series 1 at the Internet Movie Database
• Casualty series 1 at TV.com