Casualty Christmas special has viewers in tears with real-life stories
The special episode is a tribute to the miracle of blood
It's been off our screens since September, but award-winning drama Casualty returns for a brand new series later this December, kicking off with an emotional Christmas special last Saturday (21st December).
Titled All I Want for Christmas, the 50-minute long episode was centred around the miracle of giving blood, and whilst the usual characters were involved, the special also featured real-life interviews from people who have lived through the impact of giving and receiving blood.
After watching the emotional episode, viewers took to social media to express their feelings, with many being moved to tears, and others rushing to sign up to give blood.
One wrote: 'Once again, @BBCCasualty breaking boundaries of drama and delivering a damn good documentary simultaneously. Take a bow, all of you. If you need a reason to Give Blood, watch that!'
Another added: 'This episode will go down in #Casualty history, along with the Covid ep and for all the right reasons. A tough watch for me, with a storyline close to home, but a truly powerful piece of television. Congratulations to the whole team ❤️'. (sic)
Another viewer wrote: 'Really enjoyed this episode and it has really made me think about donating blood 🙏', with somebody else writing: 'I was brought to tears watching this with the real life stories. Giving blood is so important'. (sic)
You can find out more about Giving Blood right here.
If you've not watched the Casualty Christmas special yet, here's all the details you need to know about the episode.
What happens in the episode?
Revealing the plot for the festive episode, BBC said: 'This innovative new special is a tribute to the miracle of blood, brought to life with all the tension and emotional depth that Casualty delivers so well.
'It’s Christmas Day in the ED and the team are faced with an emergency blood shortage. Whilst Stevie fights to save lives, Iain risks his own to ensure the hospital doesn't go without'.
Rebecca Ferguson, Commissioning Editor for BBC Drama, says: “We’re so excited for viewers to see this incredible Christmas special, which genuinely made me gasp. It's tense, thrilling and super-charged with emotion.”
Roxanne Harvey, Executive Producer for BBC Studios Drama Production, added: “We’re so proud of this life-affirming episode. Beautifully told, with ambitious production values and outstanding performances, this is entertaining, thought-provoking drama at its very best.”
The festive episode of Casualty also feature real-life testimonies from contributors who’ve been directly impacted by UK blood donation, as well as interviews with key workers who form the country’s blood service.
Who is in the cast?
As well as the usual Casualty regulars, there's a number of guest stars for the upcoming Christmas special.
Lucy-Jo Hudson, Tristan Sturrock, Joseph Charles, Zoe Brough, Katy Carmichael and Valerie will all feature in the episode.
Check out the first look photos from Casualty below:
Casualty Christmas special
Casualty Christmas special
Casualty Christmas special
Casualty Christmas special
Casualty Christmas special
Casualty Christmas special
Casualty Christmas special
Casualty Christmas special
Casualty Christmas special
Casualty Christmas special
When was the Christmas special on TV?
The Casualty 2024 Christmas aired at 9.20pm on Saturday 21st December. You can watch the episode on BBC iPlayer now.
When does the new series start?
The next series of Casualty will start a week after the Christmas special on Saturday 28th December, with the first episode airing at 9.15pm.
Check out all of the Christmas TV specials:
Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide with Josie Gibson
The lovely Josie Gibson is hosting Channel 4's Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide this year, perfect if you need some last minute gift ideas.
Air date: 9th December (8pm)
Channel: BBC
Richard Osman's Festive House of Games
Richard Osman hosts a week of festive special of hit game show House of Games.
Air date: 9th-13th December
Channel: BBC Two
Bargain Hunt Christmas Special
The Bargain Hunt team will take part in a special festive episode this year.
Air date: 16th December (12.15pm)
Channel: BBC
The Young Offenders Christmas special
Conor and Jock set off on a chaotic adventure to give Mairead, who has been ill in hospital, the white Christmas she has always dreamed of.
Air date: 16th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC Three and BBC iPlayer
Stacey Solomon’s Crafty Christmas
Stacey Solomon is back this year with a little help from her family! Stacey shows us crafty ways to create beautiful decorations and gifts that are sure to spread some home-made cheer this Christmas time.
Air date: 18th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC
The Good Ship Murder Christmas Special
As well as being renewed for two more series, Channel 5 bosses have confirmed that drama series The Good Ship Murder will have a Christmas special this year. Catherine Tyldesley and Shayne Ward will reprise their roles as First Officer Kate Woods and Jack Grayling.
Air date: 18th December (9pm)
Channel: Channel 5
The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity Christmas Special 2024
Ian "H" Watkins, EastEnder Kellie Bright, comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri and TV personality Charlotte Crosby put their sewing skills to the test in this year's Christmas special.
Air date: 19th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC One
For the Love of Dogs Christmas Special
Ahead of the new series in 2025, Alison Hammond returns to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home for a heartwarming Christmas special this year.
Air date: 19th December (8.30pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
Casualty Christmas special
Ahead of the new series starting later in December, the cast of Casualty have filmed an emotional Christmas episode which is called All I Want for Christmas.
Air date: 21st December (9.15pm)
Channel: BBC One
Antiques Roadshow at Christmas
The Antiques Roadshow marks the festive season with a look back at some of the year's highlights and updates about items that have appeared on the series.
Air date: 22nd December (7.30pm)
Channel: BBC One
Would I Lie to You? at Christmas
Laura Smyth, David Mitchell, Jimmy Carr, Rob Brydon, Lee Mack, Lenny Rush and Rustie Lee take part in the 2024 Would I Lie to You? Christmas special.
Air date: 23rd December (7pm)
Channel: BBC One
Royal Carols : Together At Christmas
Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales, alongside other members of the Royal Family, attend a carol service at Westminster Abbey.
Air date: 24th December (7.30pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
The Great Christmas Bake Off
Just like past years, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood are back in the Bake Off tent for this year's Christmas special, with hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. This year, soap stars Dean Gaffney, Sheree Murphy, Shobna Gulati MBE, Natalie Cassidy and Chris Bisson will take part.
Air date: 24th December (8pm)
Channel: Channel 4
Gogglebox - Best of 2024
Channel 4 are showing a round-up of the best moments from Gogglebox 2024, featuring cast members such as Giles and Mary, The Malones, and Ellie and Izzy.
Air date: 24th December (9.15pm)
Channel: Channel 4
The Weakest Link Christmas Special
Romesh Ranganathan hosts as a number of celebs try to win money for charity on The Weakest Link's Christmas special.
Air date: 25th December (3.15pm)
Channel: BBC One
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
Comedian Josh Widdicombe, RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Tayce, presenter Vogue Williams, Gladiator Nitro, actress Tamzin Outhwaite and motor racing driver Billy Monger will take part in the 2024 Christmas special.
Air date: 25th December (3.55pm)
Channel: BBC
Doctor Who: Joy to the World
Following on from last year's Christmas special, Ncuti Gatwa returns as Doctor Who, with actress Nicola Coughlan joining the cast as Joy.
Air date: 25th December (5.10pm)
Channel: BBC One
The Piano: Christmas Special
Claudia Winkleman, Mika and Lang Lang kickstart the festive season with an array of live music performances and treats inside Turbine Hall for The Piano Christmas special.
Air date: 25th December (5.10pm)
Channel: Channel 4
Call the Midwife
Unlike previous years, this year's Call the Midwife Christmas special will be split into two parts! The 2024 special consists of two 60-minute episodes – complete with a Christmas cliffhanger!
Air date: (Part One) 25th December (7.55pm) and (Part Two) 26th December (8.15pm)
Channel: BBC One
Gavin and Stacey
Five years after THAT cliffhanger on the last Christmas special, the Gavin and Stacey gang are back for the final ever episode of the sitcom this year! Will we finally get answers about Smithy and Nessa?!
Air date: 25th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC
Mrs. Brown’s Boys Christmas
Despite the show's controversy over the years, Mrs. Brown's Boys has become somewhat of staple on Christmas Day! The show is back for a Christmas and New Year's special in 2024.
Air date: 25th December (11.05pm)
Channel: BBC One
Blankety Blank Christmas Special
Bradley Walsh is back with a Christmas special of Saturday night entertainment show Blankety Blank.
Air date: 26th December (7.35pm)
Channel: BBC One
Outnumbered
Gavin and Stacey isn't the only show getting a revival this Christmas, sitcom Outnumbered is also making a return to our screens, featuring all of the original cast!
Air date: 26th December (9.15pm)
Channel: BBC
The Masked Singer Christmas Special
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders join Mo Gilligan, Jonathan Ross, and Davina McCall on The Masked Singer panel for the 2024 Christmas special. This year's characters include Star, Turkey Crown, Nutcracker, and Christmas Cracker.
Air date: 26th December (7.30pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
The 1% Club Christmas Special
Lee Mack hosts a festive special of the quiz with all the Christmas themed questions! 100 contestants hope to make the holiday season even more special by winning up to £100,000.
Air date: 26th December (9pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
The Repair Shop Christmas
The team are back for another Christmas special this year
Air date: 27th December (1.25pm)
Channel: BBC One
Beyond Paradise Christmas special
It wouldn't be Christmas without a Beyond Paradise Christmas special!
Air date: 27th December (8.30pm)
Channel: BBC One
Wheel of Fortune Christmas Special
Ahead of the new series, Graham Norton will host a Christmas special episode of gameshow Wheel of Fortune.
Air date: 28th December (7pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
The Split Barcelona
Popular BBC drama The Split will return this Christmas for a two-part special, set out in Barcelona. Set two years on from series three, the show will see the likes of Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan, Fiona Button, Annabel Scholey and Deborah Findlay all feature.
Air date: 29th and 30th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC One
Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Celebrity Special
Jeremy Clarkson will welcome a number of celebrity guests for this year's Who Wants to be a Millionaire? special.
Air date: 29th December (8pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
Vera series 14
Brenda Blethyn is back as Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope for the final time as Vera series 14 airs this Christmas.
Air date: 1st and 2nd January (8pm)
Channel: ITV/STV
Gladiators: Celebrity Special
Ahead of the new series in early 2025, there will be a celebrity special of Gladiators airing this Christmas! Rob Beckett, Joel Dommett, Ellie Taylor and Louise Minchin will take part.
Air date: 1st January (6pm)
Channel: BBC One
The Great New Year Bake Off
Returning bakers from past series of Bake Off will appear on this year's New Year Bake Off, including Kevin, Norman, Nicky, James, Lea and Peter.
Air date: 3rd January (7.40pm)
Channel: Channel 4
All previous episodes of Casualty are available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.
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