Casualty viewers praise format-breaking NHS episode
Casualty marked the 75th anniversary of the NHS last night (July 15) with a special one-off episode.
The latest instalment of the medical drama, titled 'How to Save a Life', broke from tradition by including commentary from real-life medical professionals, as well as all the drama featuring the regular characters. We should also mention that the actors improvised their scenes, as they did to great acclaim in a previous special.
Viewers were full of praise for last night's episode, as well as for the NHS and the incredibly hard-working people who carry on doing their jobs in increasingly challenging times.
Fans praised the episode for its performances, the direction, and for how it portrayed the reality of many NHS workers, with some feeling like it was reminiscent of 24 Hours in A&E and predicting that it will win awards.
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My Family and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil actor Robert Lindsay led the tributes to the episode, tweeting: "Casualty - the production team, the writers, actors and everyone involved deserve applause on a truthful testament to our NHS. Really encapsulated the work, the passion, the stress and care of our overworked and underpaid angels."
Meanwhile, one viewer shared: "Well, that was rather special, wasn't it? Huge congratulations to all involved, that episode will stay with me for a long time. Beautifully chaotic yet so realistic; the focus on the staff throughout, the added real life commentaries… just incredible. Thank you."
"I don't normally watch the show but seeing all the comments I caught up with it. Thank you for reminding us, when all is said and done, how lucky we are in this country to have the NHS," said another, while someone else added: "Just watched Casualty and oh my word, what a brilliantly portrayed episode, I wish all of them were filmed like that, felt like I was watching 24 Hours in A&E!"
Here's what others have been saying about the special episode:
What a brilliant episode of #Casualty this evening. A good reminder of why we shouldn’t take too much for granted. Bravo everyone 👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
— John D’Arcy (@ArcyDarcy5) July 15, 2023
Great episode of Casualty tonight drama interwoven with the real NHS staff. We must protect the NHS at all cost #NHS75 #Casualty
— Shelagh Marie Burke 💙 (@SBurke10) July 15, 2023
How To Save A Life
Code Orange
S35E01 (CoronaVirus Special)
The masterclass-quality of the 3 @BBCCASUALTY episodes listed above are the Holy Grail of what a TV drama director should aspire to achieve.@MovieGoblin is the standard-bearer of directing Medical Dramas.#CASUALTY— ANDY GIBSON (BlueTick) (@AndyGibsonTV) July 15, 2023
#Casualty tonight was one of the best pieces of tv I've ever seen. Beautifully scripted and put together. Our #NHS is truly a special thing. #NHS75 @BBCCasualty
— Jill Spurr (@dreamworkbc) July 15, 2023
What a brilliant, well written episode #Casualty tonight. A realistic, thoughtful reflection of the NHS today and the excellent care given by all first line responsers every day. Well done to everyone involved.
— Giuseppa Perry (@giuseppaP) July 15, 2023
@BBCCasualty What an amazing episode of #Casualty tonight I’m so proud of the cast and crew for making this fantastic episode it deserves to win awards! but the biggest thank you is to our amazing #NHS we love you NHS you deserve more and we need you 🌈 ❤️
— Mitchell WEBB (@MitchellWebb85) July 15, 2023
I think the way they filmed the scenes outside of the relatives room, instead of being inside, was really beautifully done. Like as a viewer we know what’s happening but by the shot being from outside the room, the sense of privacy was still there 👌🏻 #Casualty #NHS75
— Sarah Evans (@sazmi) July 15, 2023
That was such a brilliant episide of #Casualty tonight.
It really brought home how every person within the NHS plays a vital role in the care and wellbeing of patients, and how lucky we are to have it.#OurNHS must be protected at all costs.#NHS75— Kim Barrett 💙 (@KimBarrett8) July 15, 2023
What a brilliant episode tonight. A real talent on screen tonight and a massive tribute to the amazing staff of the NHS throughout the years. Tonight primarily focusing on the patients. #Casualty at it’s pure best. Just goes to show you don’t always need soapy plots. pic.twitter.com/BbVfqg5z8j
— M A T T H E W (@MattOfficial92) July 15, 2023
I look forward to that episode winning awards #Casualty
— Jenny Pepper (@jhpepp) July 16, 2023
@bbcone @BBCCasualty I admit it, when I read about tonight's episode I didn't think it would work, but as ever it was emotional and fantastic. Not usually a fan of stevie but @elinor_lawless was fantastic at bringing it all together. Thank you #Casualty #nhs75
— Clairelbob💙 (@clairelbob) July 15, 2023
Things will be back to the regular format next week, with plenty of plot threads continuing. If you want to know what you can expect from the upcoming episode, Digital Spy already have all the spoilers for you here.
Meanwhile, if you're getting back into Casualty because of this special episode, you might not know that Derek Thompson has announced that he's leaving the role of Charlie Fairhead, which he's played since 1986, next year.
Casualty airs on Saturdays on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer.
Read more Casualty spoilers on our dedicated homepage
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