March 12th 2024.
As the time approaches for his departure, veteran actor Derek Thompson takes a moment to reflect on his time portraying Charlie Fairhead on the hit show, Casualty. After being a part of the series since its very first episode, this Saturday will mark Derek's final appearance as the beloved character.
Last week, fans were left reeling when Charlie was viciously attacked by a patient attempting to steal medical supplies from the hospital. As his friends and colleagues try to save him, Charlie slips in and out of consciousness, giving viewers a glimpse into his past through a series of flashback scenes.
In these flashbacks, we meet a young, cocky Charlie played by Jack Franklin, who shows up to work hungover and faces a chaotic shift as the emergency department is flooded with patients from a nail bomb explosion. Joined by Charge Nurse Shirley, Charlie is pushed to his limits and begins to question if he has what it takes to be an ED nurse.
As he prepares to say goodbye to the show, Derek has been reflecting on his final storyline as Charlie, calling it some of the best work of his career. "When I first read the script, I didn't have to think twice about it. It's just great storytelling," he shared. He also praised writer Michelle Lipton for her brilliant work, saying that the final two episodes feel like eight separate plays from different perspectives.
Derek also spoke about the significance of Charlie's character, describing him as a representative of the audience and the moral compass of the show. "Charlie is everyone. Charlie is a real person. He simply takes you into the show and plays the moral conscience of the audience. He's a representative of the audience," he explained.
Looking back on his time on the show, Derek shared some of his favorite storylines, including the heartbreaking death of Duffy from vascular dementia and the intense hostage situation in which Charlie finds himself trying to save a father and son.
He also fondly recalled the iconic first episode of Casualty, where we see Charlie driving his yellow Beetle over the Bristol suspension bridge and arriving at the hospital with his hair messy and a cigarette in hand. "It was like 'Noddy goes to hospital'!" Derek joked. He credits this episode for setting the tone for the show and showing what was possible with the series.
As we prepare to say goodbye to Charlie and the end of an era, Derek assures fans that they can expect an emotional and fulfilling final episode. "It has to be the first episode," he said, reflecting on his favorite moments from the show. "It's an image that has stayed with me throughout my time on Casualty."
Don't miss Charlie's final episode airing at 9:25pm on Saturday on BBC One. Join the Metro Soaps WhatsApp community to stay updated on all the latest spoilers, videos, and interviews from your favorite shows. And remember to turn on notifications so you never miss out on any big news.
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