The BBC has pulled its long-running medical drama Casualty off air as part of a major schedule shake-up, with the show not expected to return until Christmas. The programme's usual Saturday night slot has been taken by its spin-off rival Holby City, which last aired new episodes in March 2022.
On Saturday, the BBC aired two throwback episodes of Holby City, the first at 8.25pm followed by a second at 9.15pm. The move comes days after the broadcaster promised an 'innovative' return for Casualty over the festive period.
A new trailer for the Christmas special shows Holby City Hospital covered in snow, with the Pogues' Fairytale of New York playing in the background. The teaser features a blood bag with a Christmas bow, a flatline on a heart monitor, a snow-covered hospital bed, and bloodied footprints.
The BBC has teased that the episode will 'celebrate the gift of giving', but little plot detail has been revealed. Fans have taken to social media to speculate, with one suggesting character Jacob Masters (played by Chucky Venice) might be killed off.
Casualty first aired in 1986 and spawned Holby City, which ended in 2022. The latest series also saw the departure of legendary character Charlie Fairhead, played by Derek Thompson after 38 years.
