The world's longest-running medical drama, BBC One's Casualty, is set to air a special double-bill on September 5 to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The broadcast time has not yet been announced. The episodes promise an emotionally charged storyline on an unprecedented scale, unlike anything the show has tackled before, according to a new trailer released this week.
Explosion at St James Hospital
The trailer confirms that neighbouring hospital St James will be the site of a massive explosion. As Holby is thrown into complete chaos, paramedics head over and are forced to search through the rubble for bodies at the devastated hospital. Holby City Hospital, being the only hospital in the city, will be overwhelmed with an influx of casualties from St James, on top of their own patients.
Dylan Keogh (William Beck) is seen looking absolutely heartbroken in the trailer as he faces a very personal situation. The exact nature of the ordeal is not yet known, but it is clear that Dylan only reacts in such an intense way when something has deeply impacted him. This occurs right when he is trying to lead the staff of Holby ED through their darkest hour. At one point, he is surrounded by what appears to be police officers.
Stevie and Flynn in Danger
The trailer also reveals that Flynn Byron (Olly Rix) is not at Holby City Hospital when the explosion takes place; he is near St James. Whatever happens to Flynn, he will end up with Stevie Nash (Elinor Lawless) at some point, as they are caught in a situation that forces them both to fight to survive.
In the first teaser trailer released a couple of weeks ago, a brief shot at the end shows what appears to be an ambulance underwater. This increases the chance that paramedic favourites Jan Jennings (Di Botcher), Iain Dean (Michael Stevenson), Jacob Masters (Charles Venn), Teddy Gowan (Milo Clarke) and Indie Jankowski (Naomi Wakszlak) will get caught up in life-threatening danger, but it is unclear if anyone else from the hospital will be in that ambulance.
A New Era for Casualty
These anniversary episodes are designed to demonstrate the ambition, storytelling and emotional impact at the heart of the series, while signalling an exciting new chapter for the show. As the broadcast date approaches, fans can expect more details to emerge about the explosive events and their aftermath.
