Huge changes are coming up for Casualty, as BBC bosses are plotting a significant shake-up ahead of the show’s 40^th anniversary next year.

The long-running medical show has been in the headlines quite a bit over the past few weeks, following the big news that an independent production company could take control of the programme later this year.

While long-running dramas are often notoriously secretive about the future, the potential behind-the-scenes changes have led to the Beeb publicly announcing its vision for Casualty‘s future in much greater detail than we’re used to.

Here’s everything you need to know…

1. Casualty’s production company could change

Casualty is currently produced by BBC Studios for BBC One and iPlayer, but that could change from next year.

The medical show is the latest BBC programme to be put out for competitive tender, which means that rival production companies can stake their claim to take control.

If successful, Casualty would still be broadcast on the BBC but would be made by an independent production company. (As a comparative example, Hollyoaks is broadcast on Channel 4 with input from the network, but is produced by an independent firm, Lime Pictures.)

BBC Commissioning has invited pitches from production firms and will review them carefully to see if Casualty would be better served with a different company at the helm.

2. Casualty’s future is secure

In early 2024, BBC bosses spoke out to deny tabloid rumours that Casualty could be facing the axe.

It turns out they weren’t just bluffing, as the news of Casualty being put out for tender effectively confirms that it’ll be part of the schedules for the next few years.

In a statement last month, the BBC reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to Casualty, reassuring fans that it wouldn’t be going anywhere.

David Pembrey, chief operating officer of BBC Content, said in a statement: “The award-winning Casualty is a hugely important continuing drama which has been on our screens since 1986.

“We are opening it up to competition as part of our ongoing commitment to delivering the very best value for audiences.”

For avoidance of doubt, the new contract for Casualty covers episodes planned to air between 2027 and 2029. There’s also the possibility of a two-year contract extension beyond that, if all goes well.