The BBC have confirmed that Casualty will be moving from Bristol to the Cardiff area in 2011.
They previously said that, as part of the Network Supply Strategy, moving Casualty would play a significant part in fulfilling their commitment to building a creatively sustainable centre of excellence for drama in Wales, and more broadly, accelerate the development of the creative sector there.
In a statement they said Casualty will now enjoy significant benefits in joining the wider drama production community including Doctor Who, Torchwood, Pobol Y Cwm and The Sarah Jane Adventures.
Casualty will remain under the editorial lead of John Yorke, BBC’s Controller, Drama Production & New Talent.
Bristol will remain a “centre of excellence” for Natural History and Factual programming.
A decision about the new location for Casualty is dependent on further value-for-money evaluations, ensuring maximum benefit for licence payers. The decision will be announced later in the year.
With Casualty transferred across the Severn, many producers in Bristol will be dismayed. The show is thought to contribute around 10m to the local economy. The only surviving original cast member Derek Thompson, who plays Charlie Fairhead, joined a protest last year to campaign against the move. Whilst fans also question the effects the move will have on the show and it’s cast.
