Latest news with #Holby
Wales Online
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC makes announcement on Casualty's future in Wales
BBC makes announcement on Casualty's future in Wales The BBC has announced that Casualty will be put out to competitive tender, as the long-running medical drama will be produced by a new company after the change The BBC has confirmed that the long-standing medical drama Casualty will go through a competitive tender process, much like its sibling series Holby City. Despite this change, the show will continue being aired on the same channel with the BBC holding all rights to the programme. Fans will be reassured to know that filming will remain in Cardiff, maintaining its significant role in Wales' production landscape. Article continues below David Pembrey, Chief Operating Officer at BBC Content, commented: "The award-winning Casualty is a hugely important continuing drama which has been on our screens since 1986. "We are opening it to competition as part of our ongoing commitment to delivering the very best value for audiences." A new production company will need to be found for Casualty (Image: BBC ) After a notable pause in the broadcast schedule last year, the beloved series made a comeback. On September 23, a statement from the show assured fans: "#Casualty will return. Casualty is on a break and will be back on your screens later this year." WhatToWatch relayed confirmation from an official spokesperson that audiences can expect the return of Casualty later in the current year. Following a Christmas special, the series resumed airing on the BBC in March. Fans have been their diverse opinions on the significant change. One viewer said on X: "They should have done this for Holby City instead of axing it outright, Holby was way better than Casualty." Another added: "All this reminds me of when ITV decided to axe The Bill. Apparently these domestic workplace dramas must be more expensive to produce than they look." Article continues below Fans have been worried about the future of Casualty since Holby City was axed (Image: WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture Service (BBC Pictures) as set out at In particular, this image may only be published by a registered User of BBC Pictures for editorial use for the purpose of publicising the relevant BBC programme, personnel or activity during the Publicity Period which ends three review weeks following the date of transmission and provided the BBC and the copyright holder in the caption are credited. For any other purpose whatsoever, including advertising and commercial, prior written approval from the copyright holder will be required. ) A third person remarked: "An odd move, I doubt Casualty is an expensive show to make. And if that's the case where is the money going to come from for Doccy Who? You could probably make a season of Casualty for what one episode would cost." In a surprising turn of events in November 2024, the BBC announced the cancellation of the long-running medical soap Doctors after 24 years on air, attributing the decision to "super inflation in drama production," which has led to a steep rise in costs.
Daily Mirror
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC confirms Casualty's future as major change announced
The BBC will retain all rights for the programme and it will continue to be shown on the same channel, but fans may notice some changes The BBC has announced that the beloved medical drama Casualty is set to be put out for tender. This move follows in the footsteps of fellow medical series Holby City, which was unfortunately cancelled. The broadcaster has reassured fans that the show will remain on the air and they'll retain all programme rights. Now, BBC Commissioning is on the lookout for a new producer for Casualty, and they're officially accepting pitches. It's been confirmed by the BBC that production will continue in Cardiff, emphasising the show's significance to Wales' creative industry. BBC Content's Chief Operating Officer, David Pembrey, said: "The award-winning Casualty is a hugely important continuing drama which has been on our screens since 1986. We are opening it to competition as part of our ongoing commitment to delivering the very best value for audiences." Last year, the BBC announced that Casualty would temporarily step away from TV listings. On September 23, the network tweeted: "#Casualty will return. Casualty is on a break and will be back on your screens later this year." WhatToWatch received confirmation from an official spokesperson regarding the show's continued run later in the year. After delighting audiences with a Christmas special, Casualty made a triumphant return to the BBC in March. The recent shake-up has left fans voicing their opinions with a range of reactions. One viewer complained on X, "They should have done this for Holby City instead of axing it outright, Holby was way better than Casualty." Another added: "All this reminds me of when ITV decided to axe The Bill. Apparently these domestic workplace dramas must be more expensive to produce than they look." Another expressed doubt over the decision, saying: "An odd move, I doubt Casualty is an expensive show to make. And if that's the case where is the money going to come from for Doccy Who? You could probably make a season of Casualty for what one episode would cost." In a surprising turn of events, November 2024 saw the BBC pull the plug on the long-running medical soap Doctors after a 24-year run, attributing the decision to "super inflation in drama production," which has driven up costs significantly.
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Where original Holby City cast are now - Hollywood star and co-star wedding
After being controversially axed by the BBC, Holby City's final episode aired in 2022. Here's a look at what happened to the original members of the cast who started 23 years ago After 23 years of births, deaths and nail-biting operations, Holby City finally came to an end in March 2022. Viewers were left devastated when the BBC announced it was axing the popular medical drama. "We are incredibly proud of Holby City but it's with great sadness that we are announcing that after 23 years, the show will end on screen in March of next year," announced the BBC in a statement. "We sometimes have to make difficult decisions to make room for new opportunities and as part of the BBC's commitment to make more programmes across the UK, we have taken the difficult decision to bring the show to a close in order to reshape the BBC's drama slate to better reflect, represent and serve all parts of the country. "Holby has been a stalwart with audiences, delighting millions of viewers each week and winning hundreds of awards with a compelling mix of cutting edge medical stories and explosive personal stories. "We look forward to working with the team over the coming months to ensure that when it ends, Holby goes out on a high." When Holby City first aired in 1999, it drew impressive average audiences of 9 million. However, as the original cast members began to depart, ratings gradually started to decline. The drama began with a core cast of 11 characters but gradually expanded to include as many as 20 in later seasons. The casting team behind Holby opted for actors who were already well-known, many of whom had previously appeared in popular British soaps such as EastEnders, Coronation Street, and Brookside. Since leaving the show, many of the former cast members have enjoyed significant success, ranging from winning MasterChef and finding love, to becoming Hollywood film stars. Let's take a look at what happened next for the cast of Holby City... Lisa Faulkner After gaining fame on Brookside, Lisa Faulkner was cast as house officer Victoria Merrik in Holby City. Victoria was a surgeon with great potential but struggled under the intense pressure of performing operations. As a result, she was reassigned to the paediatric wing. Her character met a tragic and grisly end when she was stabbed to death by an angry father who blamed her for the death of his daughter. In an interesting twist, it was actually Lisa who requested for her character to be written off with a "gruesome death" after two years and 45 episodes on the show. Reflecting on the decision later, she admitted: "It's only afterwards that you really realise it means you can never come back, even if you wanted to." After Holby City, Lisa went on to star in Spooks, where she faced an even more horrifying death - her character, Helen Flynn, had her face and head burnt in a deep-fat fryer before being shot in the head. In 2010, Lisa won Celebrity MasterChef and later began a relationship with judge John Torode. The couple eventually married, and they went on to host their own ITV cooking show on Sunday mornings. In 2017, Lisa also made an appearance in EastEnders as Fi Browning. In 2019, Lisa reunited with her Holby City co-star Nicola Stephenson for a stint on Celebrity Gogglebox, providing fans with a glimpse into their off-screen friendship. Michael French There is a lot of crossover between Holby and EastEnders - and no one epitomises that more than Michael French. After spending three years in Albert Square playing David Wicks on EastEnders, Michael transitioned to playing cardiothoracic surgical registrar Nick Jordan in Holby City. Nick was a ladies' man who balanced romance with his passion for saving lives, having several love interests over the course of his time on the show. Michael left the role after two years but returned briefly in 2006 before being persuaded to join the sister show Casualty in 2008. Reflecting on his move, Michael explained: 'The BBC came up with the idea. At first, I wasn't sure about him moving away from heart surgery, but we soon thrashed some ideas around, and I realised it would work. It's certainly great to play Nick again, and I'm having a fantastic time on the show.' Michael starred in Casualty from 2008 to 2013, though he made a guest appearance on Holby City in 2010. He also returned to EastEnders when his on-screen mother, Pat Butcher, died in 2012, and reprised the role once again between 2013 and 2014. Angela Griffin - Jasmine Hopkins Popular actress Angela Griffin began her career with a small role in Emmerdale before gaining widespread recognition as hairdresser Fiona Middleton in Coronation Street. In 1999, Angela took on the role of Jasmine Hopkins in Holby City, a character who quickly rose through the ranks to become the ward sister. Jasmine's storyline was filled with drama, including being engaged to IT support technician Carl, only for their relationship to take a dark turn when he hit her. She then nearly lost her life after being stabbed by youths attempting to steal from a drug store, requiring Nick Jordan's help to save her. Later, she began an affair with a married nurse, but ended the relationship when his son found out, leading to her departure from the hospital. Angela chose to leave Holby City after the third series in 2001, as the next series was set to be longer and would demand more filming time. Following her time on Holby, Angela appeared in several BBC dramas, including Cutting It and Down to Earth, before taking on the role of teacher Kim Campbell in Waterloo Road. She has since become a staple of British TV, with roles in Hustle, Mount Pleasant, Ordinary Lies, Midsomer Murders, and, more recently, in Netflix 's White Lines. Fans were delighted to see Angela back on screen in the revived series of Waterloo Road. The star has also now dipped her toe into the world of directing, most recently working on BBC police series Blue Lights. George Irving - Anton Meyer George Irving was one of the longest-standing members of the original Holby City cast, remaining on the show until 2002. He portrayed cardiothoracic consultant Anton Meyer and played a significant role in shaping the character. Originally, producers had envisioned him as an Iranian surgeon, but George suggested making him a Hungarian who had emigrated to the UK. The sarcastic, arrogant surgeon became a fan favorite, involved in many dramatic storylines, including performing surgery on his own sister and losing his spleen after being shot in a road rage incident. Despite his success on the show, George chose to leave because he found it difficult to separate the character from his personal life, which began to affect him outside of work. The actor has since stated that he will never return to Holby City, as he wants to preserve the memory of Anton Meyer in its original form. After leaving the series, George starred in the BAFTA-winning short film Antonio's Breakfast and has appeared in several notable TV shows, including The Sweeney, The Bill, Inspector Morse, Doctors, and EastEnders. Phyllis Logan - Muriel McKendrick Phyllis Logan played Muriel McKendrick, a character who appeared in the first nine episodes of Holby City. Muriel was a strict, no-nonsense figure, often clashing with Anton Meyer and going behind his back to get things done. Phyllis is perhaps best known for her role as Mrs Hughes, the stern housekeeper in Downton Abbey, a character who, much like Muriel, was never afraid to speak her mind. The actress, who won the BAFTA for Most Promising Newcomer for her role in the 1983 film Another Time, Another Place, appeared in every series of Downton Abbey and in the subsequent film. In addition to Downton Abbey, Phyllis has appeared in Doctor Who, ITV's Girlfriends, and portrayed Maggie Smart in The Good Karma Hospital. Luke Mably - Paul Ripley Luke Mably's time on Holby City was short-lived, as he appeared in just the first three episodes. His character, Paul Ripley, was at the centre of the first major storyline, where he was caught kissing an unconscious girl in the high dependency unit. As a result, the ward clerk was fired for misconduct and ordered to leave the hospital immediately. After his brief stint on Holby City, Luke went on to have roles in EastEnders, NCIS: New Orleans, and the iconic zombie film 28 Days Later. Nicola Stephenson - Julie Bradford Julie Bradford, a single mum struggling with mounting debts, found herself overlooked for a promotion and resorted to lap dancing at night to support her daughter. Her secret was exposed when a member of the club was admitted to the hospital, leading to her reprimand. However, things took a turn for the better when her ex-husband returned, begging for another chance. They remarried and left to start a fresh life with their daughter. Actress Nicola Stephenson was already well-known for playing a key role in British TV history, as she was part of the first pre-watershed lesbian kiss when her character kissed Anna Friel's in Brookside. After two years on Holby City, and a few guest appearances in Casualty, Nicola went on to star in Hotel Babylon, Emmerdale, and Waterloo Road. In 2019, she reunited with former Holby co-star Lisa Faulkner to appear on Celebrity Gogglebox.
