Casualty legends Charlie and Ethan return for 40th anniversary special

• Derek Thompson and George Rainsford are returning to Casualty to reprise their roles as Charlie Fairhead and Ethan Hardy for the BBC medical drama's 40th anniversary.
• The milestone will be marked with a dramatic two-part special featuring a high-stakes major incident that throws Holby City Hospital into chaos and pushes the emergency department team to its limits.
• Thompson, an original cast member who debuted in 1986 and appeared in nearly 900 episodes, makes his return two years after his character retired in 2024.
• Rainsford, who played consultant Ethan Hardy for nine years before leaving the series in 2023, will reunite on-screen with Thompson to revive their characters' close dynamic.
• Both parts of the Bafta-winning drama's 40th anniversary special are scheduled to air on BBC One on 5 September starting at 8pm.

IN FULL

Casualty stars Derek Thompson and George Rainsford to return for show’s 40th anniversary