Iconic Casualty character to make shock return to medical drama 40 years after debut

Casualty star Derek Thompson is set to make a surprise return to the soap two years after his exit.

The actor, who played senior charge nurse Charlie Fairhead, was the longest-serving cast member when he departed from the BBC series in 2024, having joined the show when it first began in 1986.

The character left Holby City ED after deciding to retire following an incident where his life was put in danger by a patient, who stabbed him while trying to steal medical supplies from the hospital.

But two years on from Charlie's exit, it appears the character is returning to the wards, with reports claiming the star is already filming on set in Wales."Fans will be delighted to see Charlie," a source told The Sun. "The character was never killed off and the door was left open for a return. Viewers will have to wait to see how Charlie’s storyline pans out."

Radio Times understands that Thompson’s role will be a temporary appearance rather than a permanent return.

Thompson was involved in some huge storylines on Casualty over the years, including a will-they-won’t-they relationship with Duffy (Cathy Shipton) that spanned over 30 years.

In recent years, the character also supported Duffy through her heartbreaking battle with vascular dementia ahead of her death.

Addressing his exit in 2024 and speaking about which storylines stood out for him, Thompson said in a statement: "The one I felt most personally attached to as Charlie was the story of Duffy’s death through vascular dementia back in February 2020."

Since departing from Casualty, Thompson has starred as retired police officer Robin Graham in Northern Irish police drama Blue Lights.

Read more:

• Casualty confirms return date for "lethal" new 12-part storyline - and it's coming very soon
• Casualty boxset finale airs devastating death of Holby City doctor in early BBC iPlayer release

Previous episodes of Casualty are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.

Casualty returns on Saturday 2 May at 8:45pm on BBC One and 6am on iPlayer.

Add Casualty to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.