Fans of CASUALTY will be able to view a special, one-off episode delving into the explosive military past of one of its most popular new characters – Major Sam Nicholls (Charlotte Salt) next month.
Available via the red button on Saturday 14 April directly after episode 31, this special episode – Casualty: Under Fire – will travel to Afghanistan to uncover the traumatic events leading up to Sam’s arrival at Holby. As the army medic faces an investigation by the GMC following her forcible restraint of a patient’s relative during mainstream Casualty, the red button episode goes back in time to discover Sam’s dark secret.
“We’re always looking for new ways to add value for our loyal fans and this special episode gives us a chance to explore the past and behaviour of one of our most colourful characters,” says executive producer Johnathan Young.
“Sam has made a huge impact on the show since her debut last year and is proving hugely popular with viewers, but it’s clear she has a troubled past. This red button episode will give us a chance to find out just what secrets she hides.”
Feisty, fearless and a brilliant ED doctor, Major Sam Nicholls burst into the ED in October last year. A big hit with fans on social media networks, the character has been involved in a major fire and huge chemical explosion, revealed a secret marriage to fellow ED doctor Dylan (William Beck) and is now being investigated for forcibly restraining an aggressive visitor to the ED. This special red button episode goes some way to explaining Sam’s brusque bedside manner and brave but impulsive decision-making.
Starring Charlotte Salt, Michael Stevenson (Corporal Ian Dean), Muj Shah (Saleh) and Zak Davies (Hassan), Casualty: Under Fire transports viewers to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, where Major Sam Nicholls is the medic on a MERT helicopter. As Sam prepares to return to England on secondment her boyfriend Corporal Dean quizzes her about her motives for returning. Suddenly they’re interrupted by a call on his radio. There’s been a suicide bombing at civilian tea house and, with insurgents still at large, the MERT team must treat as many casualties as they can in ten minutes before the helicopter leaves.
As Sam treats a severely-injured little boy, Hassan, he points to the back of the tea house where his father Saleh lies injured. Amidst further blasts, Sam risks her life to treat the patient. But as Saleh starts to act in an agitated fashion and reaches for a device in his pocket, Sam makes a split-second decision which has life-changing consequences. How do the events affect Sam’s state of mind? Just what is the situation with Corporal Ian Dean? And what will be the impact of the events on Sam’s long-term future?
Casualty: Under Fire can be seen via the red button at around 9pm on Saturday, 14 April. It will also be available on the BBC iPlayer.
(Source : BBC Press Office)
