Casualty EXCLUSIVE: Derek Thompson on why Charlie's exit storyline is so good it's 'worth leaving the show for'

“When I first read the script I put it down pensively and let it cook a little, because it’s such a lovely piece of work. It’s beautifully written by Michelle Lipton and directed by Mike Lacey, two of the best who’ve ever worked on the show. I was really thrilled with it and thought, ‘Who would want to change a word of this?’”

“Michelle knows exactly what she’s doing. Every character is true to the moment and to themselves, but still manages to tell you something you wouldn’t have spotted easily. I couldn't actually go through the whole 38-year history of Casualty and find a better fit. For me it’s a work of poetry and I just thought ‘This is worth leaving for’ I think my final episodes are some of the best of my career. They were an absolute joy to do.”

“Eli and I both love storytelling. Getting on set together and with a story that’s just our two characters is hog heaven for us! The wonderful thing about Casualty is their responsible take on the National Health Service with that kind-of soap opera ducking and diving throughout it. It's a really challenging combination, but Eli was so on it, took us into work and I got a lot out of it because of her. She’s a virtuoso actor.”

“The one I felt most personally attached to was the death of Charlie’s wife Duffy [played by original cast member Cathy Shipton] through vascular dementia in February 2020. 

“The simple reason is that he is the Everyman and a connection with the audience. He’s immediately empathetic and the moral compass. If ever you feel that a conflict is not going to be resolved he gives things a nudge in a certain direction. I’ve always felt a great responsibility to the character.”

“It was staggering. I remember at the end of our first read-through, the show’s first producer Geraint Morris made a speech. [Here Derek slips into a perfect Welsh accent] and said ‘Right, we’ve done our bit, now we’re sharing it with you. Take it, it's yours, bring the bits that no writer can put there, and have a bloody ball.’ In making that speech he handed it over to the actors and said do what your instincts tell you. It was groundbreaking.”

“Actors work, if they’re lucky, 10 weeks a year. But you couldn’t really say that was my story. I’ve been in a play that’s lasted 38 years! 

“You think you might get a bit repetitive or sink into cliches, but you find you don’t; there’s a kind of delight in it, it doesn’t get boring and you become better at it than you thought you would be. It’s a team sport and the regular and guest actors make it. No two shows are the same. It’s been such a graceful experience to observe all that effort, energy, trust and creative ability. Everyone lifts each other up and supports each other, and that was set up on day one.”

“I’m thrilled to be appearing in the second series of Blue Lights as retired special branch officer Robin Graham, whose past and conscience catches up with him. I was hooked on the first series. The actors on it are brilliant and the writing is just wonderful. You know, Casualty has been a job I’ve loved, and a hard one to walk away from, but I’m looking forward to the future now…”