Casualty exclusive: Charles Venn gives us the inside story on baby Carter and Connie Beauchamp!

“I recently became a grandad myself in real life, so the timing feels like art imitating life! Jacob is definitely the most fulfilling character I've ever played and I’ve grown as an actor with him. He’s gone through so many challenges in his nine, almost 10, years at Holby and there are still many things unexplored with him. Although [laughing] when I started in 2015 I had a lot less grey hair!”

“Essentially Jacob’s trying to do right by his grandson, but it’s not a straightforward situation. When he meets Danielle she says she wants to care for Carter and, even though the circumstances aren’t ideal, there are provisions that allow for it [a space is available for her and Carter in the prison’s Mother and Baby Unit]. Obviously, Jacob isn’t for it and he fights tooth and nail to stop it from happening!”

“He wants to give him as normal a childhood as possible. Also, Blake [who hasn’t been seen on screen since 2018] is obviously experiencing some issues and Jacob fears it is drug related. There are some things that have been happening in Jacob’s world that he’s not necessarily shared…”

“Yes, it’s Two Men and a Baby and a very cute moment! It makes me so happy because their friendship has formed over time and they're really close. Iain’s always an ear to listen and a shoulder to lean on and vice versa. It’s beautiful that Iain is there for him and it makes sense for him to be involved.”

“He is one of the most disciplined and professional baby actors I've ever worked with. Honestly, he’s amazing. There are moments where he does things and they seem to be on cue!”

“We filmed a scene where he’s in the arms of someone quite pertinent to Carter’s life — I can’t tell you who because I don't want to spoil it — and there’s a mention of a name, and he just looks up. The timing of it! In another scene he turned his head to look at me as if to say ‘Where are you going?’ He’s such a joyous happy baby and he steals the show!”

“Absolutely, what better way to keep things interesting than to change his entire job. It’s really funny because I always remember when I first got the role of Jacob thinking in the back of my mind that he’s very much a paramedic kind of guy, but at the same time, it was a great challenge to play a nurse. When he handed in his resignation and stepped down as clinical nurse manager [last March] I wanted to tell everyone, but I knew I couldn't because it would kill the reveal!”

“Coming back in as a paramedic felt like a rebirth with new challenges and obstacles. I honestly love the stunts that come with playing a first responder. I'm an active guy so carrying people out of burning buildings and all that stuff is right up my alley!”

“One hundred per cent. The flame between Connie and Jacob still burns. They are soulmates and there’s nobody in Jacob's life that moves him as emotionally or touches in the way Connie did. It would be amazing to see where the ground lies with them. I’d love for it to happen, I am on standby and game for that!”

“Yes, she’s been giving me sage advice on a short film I’m making at the moment. All I can say about it for now is that it’s a psychological thriller and I’ve written it, am producing, directing, co-starring and scoring the music for it, so it’s a lot! I will be posting trailers and more information on social media soon, but it’s a fun piece and I’m really excited to embark on this journey.”

“That's a very good question! I can safely say the most challenging storyline had to be the coercive control one with [Jacob’s then girlfriend Tina Mollett, played by Adele James from 2020 until 2021]. That was very difficult, harder than I thought it was going to be, it probably took me about a month before I fully felt like myself again.

“My favourite storyline was Jacob and Connie’s tumultuous courtship when I first started on the show – that was a wonderful time!”

“We’re going to see Jacob struggling to juggle guardianship of Carter and being a grandfather with being a paramedic and trying to save lives. Let’s just say he’s trying, but it becomes a tall order and he’s not necessarily doing the greatest job at it!”

“I’m super made up and our fingers are crossed that the BAFTA will sit on our mantlepiece. I love where Casualty is at the moment. It feels very strong, it is shot beautifully, and the stories, pacing and performances are in keeping with any edgy drama that’s on television now. I think we're in very good shape!”