Who plays Charlie Fairhead in Casualty and what else has he been on?

CASUALTY celebrates 40 years on television with an explosive two-part special. The specials see the return of the shows most iconic character, nurse Charlie Fairhead. Charlie Fairhead returns as part of Casualty’s 40th anniversary celebrations Credit: BBCStudios/AlistairHeap/PA Wire Who plays Charlie Fairhead in Casualty? Casualty’s Charlie Fairhead is played by British actor Derek Thompson. Fairhead was the first character to appear on the medical drama in its first ever episode in 1986. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! His time on the show lasted 38 years, in which time he was involved in some of the most high-profile storylines in Casualty’s history. This includes the character being shot, stabbed and having two heart attacks. He was also a major player in crossover episodes with sister show Holby City. He was notable on the show for having enduring friendships with paramedic Josh Griffiths (played by Ian Bleasdale) as well as his future wife on the show Lisa “Duffy” Duffin (played by Cathy Shipton.) He also was close friends with former nurse Megan Roach during his time on the show, played by the late Irish actress Brenda Fricker. His return coincides with the 40th anniversary of the medical drama, having starred in the specials for the 20th and 30th anniversary’s of the show. Most read in TV What else has he appeared in? After 38 years as Charlie Fairhead, it’s weird to think of his actor Derek Thompson in any other role. Perhaps most famously, Thompson appeared as Jeff in the iconic 1980 British gangster film The Long Good Friday. Thompson starred alongside screen legends Bob Hoskins, Dame Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan. The character of Jeff was the right-hand man of Harold Shand, played by Hoskins, in the film, widely regarded as one of the greatest British films of all time. Comment now