Exclusive: Casualty boss shares major summer spoilers and 40th anniversary plans

All eyes are on Casualty as the medical drama hurtles towards its all-important 40^th anniversary celebrations. But ahead of reaching this milestone, there is plenty of drama ahead over the summer, as the current boxset Lethal Legacy unfolds.

We’ve already seen a pandemic scare, a dangerous siege and a chemical explosion – but really, this series is only just getting started.

Inside Soap recently sat down with Casualty‘s series producer Liza Mellody, who previewed a mysterious backstory, the reveal of a shock fling, and a mind-blowing nod to the past…

Hi, Liza! What are you most proud of over the last year of Casualty?

“It’s like trying to pick a favourite child! I loved Supply and Demand, the drugs boxset, as it’s a world that people don’t see and it showed the pressure that a drugs shortage on the street has on the emergency services.

“I really liked the episode we did in the club, and I almost felt like we should show that in schools. We said it was the heaven of the dancefloor and the nightclub but the hell of the ED.”

Moving on to Lethal Legacy, why did you want to explore Flynn’s backstory in more depth?

“Lethal Legacy is all about the history and legacy of people’s upbringings and how it can affect them in the present. I’ve always been interested in Flynn, and he always seemed somewhat haunted to me.

“From when we first met him in the POV episode, he wanted to do better. Why is it that he feels so driven to be a changed man and do something good? So, I wanted to go back into his Army past.”

Tell us about casting Mark Womack as tough Colonel Jack Bard…

“Jack plays a massive part in Flynn’s backstory, but he had to be a particular character. He had to be old enough that he could have been Flynn’s trainer, but young and fit enough to still be in the Army. I wanted somebody who had edge and strength, but who wasn’t a moustache twirling villain who people will see coming straight away.

“I’ve always loved Mark and his work, so I phoned him up personally! It was sheer determination, but I’m so glad I got him as I think he brings a certain gravitas, and he plays Bard really well.”

How will Flynn’s story play out across this boxset?

“It’s played through the eyes of a troubled young soldier called Rory, who Flynn recognises something of himself in. He thinks something might be happening with him and Colonel Jack, because of his own experience.

“Flynn has always been haunted by the fact that he didn’t take a stand for things he saw, but with Stevie, he learns to forgive himself. It’s beautifully told, and there’s a thrilling climax to this story – your heart will be in your mouth!”

Speaking of Stevie, how will her surprise fling with Matty cause chaos?

“With Stevie and Matty, it’s lust, not love, and it’s driven by grief for Kim. He is obsessed with her, but she sees it a bit like a holiday romance.

“Meanwhile, Dylan is struggling to connect with Matty so starts thinking about his own father and questions whether he’s actually like him. Dylan goes to Stevie, his best friend, about this and she doesn’t tell him that she’s sleeping with his son – but it all comes out later when it’s revealed that Matty covered for Stevie’s medical mistake.”

What does the future hold for Dylan as this affair is exposed?

“He’s so hurt and he’s fuming with Stevie, so he makes a drastic decision and reports her for sexual misconduct, as Matty is her junior. Stevie and Dylan will never be the same again, their friendship is ruined!

“Dylan’s story this boxset is magnificent, we really see him come undone and in a downward spiral, and by the end he faces his own lethal legacy.”

We’ve also seen paramedic Teddy really struggling over the last few weeks…

“I’m really proud of the colourism and unconscious bias story, but that conversation with Jacob has really thrown Teddy for a loop. He wants to get back in touch with his dad, as they previously grew apart, so he wants to present the best version of himself – and he asks himself, ‘Who actually am I?’

“He doesn’t feel good enough, but through his friendship with Jacob, he is going to learn that he is good enough and any dad would be proud to have him as a son.”

There’s a big story in the pipeline for Cam as well, right?

“Our lovely Cam is working in the corridor as a frailty nurse. I wanted to nod to the fact that in society we don’t take care of our elderly people as we should.

“At first Cam was unsure, but he goes on a journey and he’s just beautiful with the patients. He’s made a connection with a gentleman called Alan, and we’ll tell Alan’s story, which is heartbreaking. Cam really wants to be there for him and be like a son to him, and it’s about the extra mile that nurses go to.”

Will we get to see more of Cam and Indie’s blossoming relationship?

“We’re seeing the love build between Cam and Indie, and that’s really beautiful, but the course of true love never did run smooth! Through their relationship with Alan, there are going to be some big hurdles for those two, and we highlight people’s different attitudes towards care and health.

“Cam and Indie have had very different upbringings so they look at situations differently, and their differing points of view could break them apart. It’s heartbreaking but ultimately fulfilling.”

There’s a very special callback to Casualty‘s beginnings in Lethal Legacy…

“In the very first episode of Casualty, there were chemical barrels that were supposed to be destroyed, but by the end of the episode we knew that somebody had buried them.

“Cut to 40 years later, and they are buried under the Wyvern Hill Estate – there’s method to our madness! Jodie is doing her best Erin Brockovich, she knows something isn’t right and she’s on a mission to find out what’s going on.”

Are there any other stories you can tease in this boxset?

“Rida is having a terrible time this boxset – she is dealing with stress and is suffering from alopecia. There is the stress of the job, which harks back to what happened with the CQC. She’s had a tough time, so we’re going to see what’s going on with Rida and the toll that this job is taking on her.”

What can we expect as we approach the big 40^th anniversary?

“Don’t even start me on the 40^th – we’re not there yet, but it is sensational! You will not be disappointed, and we are super proud of it. I love my job and I love working on this show. We get to tell amazing stories and, silly as it may sound, we get to change lives. We move the dial, educate people and give them a thrill. We’ve got some lovely characters and we really do put our heart and soul into this show.”