Yahoo News 8 times Casualty stars inspired their own storylines
Casualty's writers have certainly come up with some brilliant plots over the years, but did you know that some ideas were actually inspired by the cast members themselves?
Here, we take a look back at the stories that were influenced by the stars calling the shots – for better or worse, for richer or poorer...
1.Connie and Jacob's ongoing connection
Connie and Jacob built up an army of fans through their popular relationship four years ago, but then just like that, it was all over. Viewers weren't happy, and they weren't the only ones.
As it happens, Amanda Mealing and Charles Venn – who play the on-off duo – were hoping the couple would be end-game as well, and have been using some crafty techniques to ensure #Jonnie's spark is kept alive regardless.
"The viewers love Connie and Jacob and I loved them together, but it was the executive producer who didn't like it", Amanda Mealing – who plays Connie – said to Digital Spy last year. "That was the reason, it was nothing other than that.
"It's very subtle between Charles and I, but we are putting in little personal touches – literally a physical touch on the arm, or a few looks here and there to represent the relationship that they have – because it is unfinished.
"Charles and I know the viewers love Connie and Jacob. For Connie to have gone through her illness and post-traumatic stress, and for Jacob not to have had anything to do with it, feels like a bit of a failing really. I am really pushing for it to be revisited."
2. Sharon Gless's second comeback as Zsa Zsa
Cagney and Lacey star Sharon Gless has appeared in a trilogy of episodes over the past three years, but it almost wasn't the case. After making her debut in a highly dramatic episode back in 2017, Sharon turned down the offer to return again the following year as she didn't like the story. And it took another three scripts to change her mind.
"The first one they submitted just didn’t sing like the other one did", Sharon said to What's On TV. "So they did it again… three times, and came up with this wonderful story.
“The character of Zsa Zsa was apparently very well received last year, so it's hard to follow your own act. When they invited me back it was exciting but then I thought, 'Now I get to do this again, I want it to be as well received as it was the first time."
3. Duffy's death
There wasn't a dry eye in the Casualty fandom when Duffy passed away back in February, bringing a heartbreaking end to her heartbreaking story.
Having played the kind-hearted nurse for three decades, you'd have assumed Cathy Shipton would have been equally distraught about the finality of Duffy's exit, but it transpires it was actually her idea.
"When they first start talking about the story two years ago, I asked if they'd take it to the end for Duffy," Cathy explained to Digital Spy.
"They went away and spoke about it and then it was planned it out over the years. I already knew when I went back four years ago that I wouldn't want to stay forever and I also knew that I'd want to have a story where the character died – and shut the door completely."
4. Zoe and Max's happy ending
Fans were devastated when Zoe upped and left in 2016, little did they know she'd be back less than two years later for Max. And we've got the actors to thank for that.
Sunetra Sarker briefly reprised her role as Zoe for Max's exit story in 2018; a promise she'd actually made to co-star Jamie Davis when she bowed out the first time.
"When I left the show Jamie said to me, 'You can’t just leave me!' so as my parting gift to him we struck up a deal," Sunetra said to What's On TV at the time of her comeback. "I gave him my word that I would come back for an episode to take him out of the show whenever he decided to leave.
"So, he was the one who gave me the call and said, 'I've got two kids now, it’s time for me to be back at home with my family, so would you mind honouring that promise?' I was like, 'Oh yeah I forgot about that!' but of course I did it."
5. Charlie and Connie's feud
Charlie and Connie have only just made amends, nearly a year after their explosive fallout. But did you know the genius behind this very realistic story arc was none other than Amanda herself?
When Connie returned to the ED earlier this year, Charlie was adamant that he wouldn't, and couldn't, forgive his former friend for her deplorable treatment of his wife Duffy; a decision in which Amanda was strongly behind.
"I said to the execs that it should take a long time for Charlie to forgive her", Amanda told Digital Spy.
"I think it would take something major, and even then, I think Charlie is really the one that needs to say, 'Connie, you need to forgive yourself' – he needs to be the one who gives her permission. I think that would be the only way for full redemption." Looks like she got her way.
6. Iain's longer exit
This may all feel like a distant memory right now, but if we cast our minds back to last year, Iain Dean's exit – and the sea of confusion it sparked – was a major talking point among Casualty fans.
Although it was initially announced as a break, some subsequent suggestions implied that Iain's departure was actually going to be more permanent. And here's why.
"At some point [I'll return], hopefully", Michael said to Digital Spy in his exit chat. "I think, initially, the show wanted me to have a bit less time away and for Iain to come back sooner, but they plan so far in advance. If I said I was only having a set amount of time off, then planning for Iain's return would have had to automatically begin and I don't think that is good for anybody.
"I felt like I needed the time away and to not think about the show or the character – just let it rest. I am grateful, proud and I am happy with where we left it – that was exactly where I wanted to leave Iain's story."
7. Jade's past revisited
Before the show took a brief hiatus, Casualty was starting to delve into Jade's backstory – nearly two years after she joined the show.
Recent scenes saw Jade make the big decision to reach out to her birth mother, while episodes to be aired when the show returns will see this story take centre stage.
While fans will have to wait and see how Jade's life-changing meeting with her mum goes, Gabriella Leon – who plays her – has revealed that this is something she's been asking for since she joined.
"It’s a storyline I’ve been pushing for since the beginning and I'm really excited for the episode to air!" Gabriella said to Digital Spy.
"I think it's a very personal and pivotal story that anyone can relate to in terms of having difficult conversations with parental figures and overcoming huge obstacles. I think it shows Jade in a new light and we have a deeper understanding of her."
8. Jacob and Omo's final chapter
Jacob featured in emotional scenes last year when his mum Omo returned to the show. Shortly before viewers saw Omo get diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer, Charles Venn revealed that the storyline had originally been intended to air in 2018 as part of ongoing plans to explore Jacob's backstory.
However, Charles's decision to complete in the 2018 series of Strictly Come Dancing ended up significantly delaying this.
Charles told Inside Soap: "It was meant to happen to Jacob a lot earlier than it did. But then along came Strictly Come Dancing and it slowed the whole process down.
"I knew as soon as Strictly was over, we would return and continue the story. Although to dive back in there again, and deal with those emotions, was very tough."
Casualty airs Saturday nights on BBC One but is currently on a short hiatus.
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