Casualty EXCLUSIVE: Sunetra Sarker on returning to Holby ED for Charlie Fairhead’s ‘emotional’ final chapter

“What an honour. When I got the call asking if I’d like to be part of Derek’s exit episodes it was bittersweet because I don’t like the thought of the Casualty without Charlie. It honestly chokes me; he’s been the throughline since the show started in 1986. I really hoped I’d be one face among many, but to be singled out as the doctor involved in looking after him when he gets injured, I was thrilled to be there for him.”

“I’ve had a lot of love from people, which surprises me because Zoe wasn't the most cuddly or warm. She could be controversial, she was ballsy and very flawed! But I loved that she was a rebel doctor. People often ask me if I’d come back, but I feel I’ve never left. I’m still a part of Casualty, so whenever I’m needed, I’ll be there because I've got a lot of loyalty to the show and character.”

“Zoe and her husband Max Walker [Jamie Davis played the hospital porter from 2013 until 2018] are happily still together and thinking about moving back [from abroad] after the death of his stepsister, nurse Robyn Miller [played by Amanda Henderson from 2013 until 2023]. Zoe has to work a certain amount of hours as locum to revalidate her licence, so there’s a little thread that suggests they may return to the UK!”

“I relished it and really enjoyed pushing open the swing doors, sliding a bed into resus and handling all the tools and props. They were like my old friends! I’ve such a soft spot for Zoe and don’t think I’ve ever played anyone like her, so it felt like wearing a pair of comfy slippers!”

“It’s interesting you ask that, the wardrobe department still have a few of Zoe’s Jimmy Choos! I was eyeing them up enviously until I tried them on and it brought back the memories of what my poor feet went through, running around in heels all day every day, take after take for almost 10 years!”  

“I remember her Nick Jordan [played by Michael French] years fondly when he was clinical lead, she was rising up the ranks, and they sparred and fell in love. There was really high drama when she forged his signature for life-saving brain surgery!

“It’s a really great story focusing on the violence in hospital workplaces and how it can be dangerous for the Charlie’s of the world. After he gets injured [in this week’s episode] you see everyone working [next week] to save him and not let this be a sad ending. You’ll see Charlie on day one [in flashbacks with younger Charlie played by Jack Franklin], but how does he exit? Does he live or die? I don’t want to spoil it for the fans! I’m just pleased and proud to be part of his emotional end story.”

“Yes, Casualty was initially supposed to be 15-episodes back in the day and it’s only because of Derek’s loyalty that the show has reached this absolutely historic 38-year chapter. Derek’s so modest, he won’t be talking about it because, in his words, he’s a jobbing actor – I suppose this was just a longer job than average! He really is a national treasure.”

“Yes, I missed the variety of putting on different hats and took a gamble that people didn’t just see me as Zoe. Kaneez Paracha in Ackley Bridge was a huge leap and I feel really lucky to have portrayed a woman who’s usually seen in the background on screen as the shopkeeper's wife. Kaneeze was brilliantly written as a single mother with wit and humour. Working with the Royal Shakespeare Company last year [Sunetra starred in a production of A Christmas Carol] was a dream come true. Then on the presenting side there was the Eurovision Song Contest and Loose Women. I’ve been very fortunate.”

“I will be playing Ben Miller’s new boss in the third series of Professor T, which is airing in April. The opening scene in the script read: ‘Maiya Goswami walks into the crime scene dressed head-to-toe in a red tracksuit eating an apple’ and I thought ‘I love this woman already!’ 

“I also did a job recently on an ITV drama called Playing Nice with James Norton and Niamh Algar about two couples with two-year-old sons who get a knock on the door revealing the hospital made a terrible mistake and swapped the babies when they were born.”

“A Golden Girls version of No Angels [the C4 comedy-drama about four Leeds party-loving medics in a houseshare] with Kaye Wragg, Louise Delamere and Jo Joyner! We loved making it and are still very proud of the type of show it was. We’re all in a Whatsapp group together called ‘The Angels’ and meet up as many times a year as we can!”