Saying yes to playing Josh in Casualty wasn’t an easy decision, reveals Ian Bleasdale...
Casualty’s 30th anniversary episode promises to be one of the TV events of 2016. Even so, Ian Bleasdale reveals agreeing to play paramedic Josh Griffiths took some mulling over.
What’s on TV caught up with the Casualty veteran while he was filming the 30th anniversary feature-length episode earlier this year and had a chat about Ian’s reservations about returning to the role of Josh…
Ian explained: “I was a wee bit apprehensive [about coming back] because it has been a long time. And I had such a good time doing it, you think ‘oh it’s changed.’ Bristol was a cracking place.”
“I had to mull it over because when you go, you go – you never go back. But Casualty has been with me a long time. This sounds very trite, but it does get under your skin. It was a long, long time – 17 years, 17 series. That’s a lifetime for an actor. Thank you very much Casualty!"
One of the main draws for Ian’s return was a chance to hang out with his Casualty pals, Derek Thompson, who has played nurse Charlie Fairhead for 30 years, and Cathy Shipton, who also reappears as much-loved nurse Lisa ‘Duffy’ Duffin.
Ian explained: “It’s been a bit of a reunion for me. I said yes because it’s a chance to see Derek and Cathy again. Old mates, we just picked up where we left off 10 years ago.”
So what brings Josh back to Holby?
“Josh is back for Charlie’s 30th year in the department, they’re throwing a surprise party for him and that’s what I’ve come for.
“But this is Casualty – there was a party… but it’s interrupted!”
We know disaster strikes and it's all hands on deck – which means Casualty’s original characters get stuck in!
“Josh does [get in the thick of it] bless him. No fault of his own he’ll be there.”
For the full interview with Ian Bleasdale watch the video, above.
Casualty’s explosive feature-length special 30th anniversary episode screens on August 27 on BBC1
