Huge news for Casualty fans as two legends return for 40th anniversary

Two familiar faces are back (Picture: BBC/Alistair Heap) Casualty has confirmed Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson) and Ethan Hardy (George Rainsford) will return during the medical drama’s 40th anniversary episodes. On Saturday, the BBC will broadcast two instalments of the medical drama to celebrate an incredible 40 years on our screens. The drama kicks off right away, as Holby’s neighbouring hospital St James’ becomes the sight of a massive explosion. As Flynn Byron (Olly Rix) gets to work helping those trapped in the wreckage, Dylan Keogh (William Beck) needs to lead the rest of the team at Holby through the chaos. ‘The stakes are a lot higher as well, obviously with the opening sort of five seconds, this massive apocalyptic thing happens’, star Melanie Hill told me, teasing the upcoming specials. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Charlie Fairhead appeared in the very first episode of Casualty (Picture: BBC/Alistair Heap) ‘You’ve added another layer of stress onto them all. And the fact that, any minute, somebody could come into A&E, with a bag that could cause a massive tragedy.’ Confirming that the second episode is just as intense as the first one, she added: ‘It keeps ramping up and ramping up. I would like to mention the second episode as well, because there’s so much to say about the first, and it’s amazing, but come the second, you really think it cannot get any worse, and then you get taken out of the hospital – I think that is so clever – and into something else which involves three of the team. ‘The stress level on that is next level. Obviously that affects especially Dylan, but all the people who work at the hospital, their friends.’ They need all the help they can get and, judging by the stethoscope around Ethan’s neck in these new images, it seems that he and Charlie are back at Holby to lend a hand. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. But is everything as it seems? The third picture released by the BBC shows Charlie and Ethan in a tense conversation. Also, in the first-look snaps, you can see some stiches on Ethan’s forehead – does this mean he was caught up in the explosion? Or are the duo hiding something? It seems the duo are back to lend a hand (Picture: BBC/Alistair Heap) A friendly reminder that Ethan lives with the inherited genetic condition Huntington’s disease. It’s been three years since we last saw him, and in 2021 he began to fear that his condition was progressing. How will Ethan be when we see him on Saturday? Ethan appeared on our screens from 2014-2023. He is the brother of Cal Knight (Richard Windsor), and left life in the ED to focus on being a dad to his son. Derek Thompson appeared as Charlie Fairhead in the first ever episode of Casualty back in 1986. The actor played the role for a massive 38 years, with his alter-ego Charlie eventually deciding to leave the ED for retirement in 2024. Deals of the Day An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind Book Val d'Isère, Val Thorens and Tignes for less in Club Med's ski sale Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale The viral LED face mask with over 350 lights that's currently discounted by £100 A friend said I looked 'snatched' – I credit this new Charlotte Tilbury powder The Casualty 40th Anniversary special episodes will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on September 5th 2026. The Soaps Newsletter – Weekly Sign up for exclusive spoilers and interviews, handpicked by our Soaps Editor.