Casualty Series 36 began airing on August 14, 2021, and concluded on August 13, 2022, with 44 episodes. This series was packed with emotional highs, intense drama, and many twists and turns, making it another memorable installment in the show’s long history. Series 36 saw major shifts in characters’ lives, including the return of familiar faces, as well as the introduction of new ones who would shake things up at Holby City Hospital.

The season also celebrated Casualty’s 35th anniversary, bringing back some fan-favorite characters. However, while fans were excited about the anniversary special, there were some mixed feelings about how it was executed. More on that in a minute.

The Beginning: A Rocky Start
The opening of Series 36 didn’t exactly set the world on fire. The 35th Anniversary Special was anticipated to be something huge, but it ended up feeling like two separate episodes crammed together. The first half introduced the new consultant, Stevie Nash, and the second half delved into Ethan’s past with his sister, Stevie’s previous involvement in a major medical error.

I expected more from a special celebrating 35 years of the show. Compare this with the 30th Anniversary special, which felt like a Casualty movie with much more grandeur. Nonetheless, the anniversary didn’t live up to the hype and felt underwhelming for many viewers, including myself.

The Drama Builds in 2022
Although Series 36 started slow, it picked up significantly in 2022, especially after the highly controversial episode Wednesday’s Child, which tackled the topic of a school shooting. The episode was expertly written and executed, with stellar performances from the cast. This episode was the highlight of the series, and it was a great example of Casualty’s willingness to address real-world issues head-on.

The performances were top-notch, particularly from Jason Durr, who portrayed David Hyde. His emotional journey following the school shooting was some of the best work we’ve seen from him, and it made him one of the standout characters of the series.

Character Development: A Focus on Stevie and David
Let’s talk about the characters that really made Series 36 shine. First, there’s Stevie Nash. When Stevie first arrived, I couldn’t stand her. She was vengeful, angry, and out for blood, particularly with Ethan. She wanted to destroy his career for what he did to her sister. However, as the series progressed, Stevie’s character grew on me. She calmed down, formed meaningful relationships, especially with Faith, and her complexity added a great depth to the show.

David Hyde, who played a central role in the school shooting storyline, also stood out. His acting was emotional, raw, and intense. The struggles he faced after the traumatic event were portrayed with nuance and depth, making him one of the series’ best characters.

There were also some new faces who added to the intrigue, like Teddy (the new paramedic) and Paige (the junior doctor), but for me, the most well-rounded new character was Sar, the first non-binary character in Casualty history. Sar was introduced with great sensitivity, and they were developed as a character beyond just their non-binary identity, which was refreshing.

The Not So Good: Matthew’s PTSD Storyline
While there were plenty of memorable characters, not every storyline was a hit. Matthew’s PTSD arc felt a bit rushed. It had potential, but it didn’t fully delve into the complexities of PTSD, and his attempts to cover up his issues weren’t handled as well as they could have been. It made Matthew a harder character to warm up to, and I was relieved when he finally left the show.

Memorable Moments
Despite some initial struggles, Series 36 did have its moments. The Wednesday’s Child episode, in particular, stood out as one of the most impactful episodes in Casualty‘s long history. It addressed a sensitive issue and did so with finesse, leaving a lasting impact on both the characters and the viewers.

Another memorable part of the series was the development of David and Dylan’s bromance. Their bond really grew, and it added some lighter moments in an otherwise heavy series. Their friendship brought warmth to the show, and it was nice to see them interact with each other outside of work.

Conclusion: A Solid but Not Perfect Series
In conclusion, Series 36 had its ups and downs. While it started off with a few stumbles and didn’t live up to the anniversary special’s potential, it ended strong. The Wednesday’s Child episode was a game-changer, and the performances from the cast, especially from Jason Durr (David Hyde), made this series memorable.