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Casualty: 38 Years of NHS Drama & Star Power
30 Aug
Summary
- The medical drama launched numerous acting careers, including Kate Winslet.
- The show faced criticism from the Royal College of Nursing and government.
- Derek Thompson has played Charlie Fairhead for all 38 years of the series.
For nearly four decades, the medical drama 'Casualty' has offered a gritty look at the realities of the National Health Service. Since its debut in September 1986, the show has been credited with launching the careers of many famous actors, such as Kate Winslet and Alfred Molina. Derek Thompson has been a constant presence, portraying Junior Charge Nurse Charlie Fairhead for all 38 years of the series' run.
The drama, set in a fictional west country hospital, began with Charlie Fairhead's arrival, establishing the show's theme of daily struggles on the NHS frontline. The series has not been without its controversies; it faced backlash from the Royal College of Nursing regarding its depiction of nurses and was criticized by junior health minister Edwina Currie as "left-wing propaganda."
