A legendary BBC soap’s future is unsteady after cast and crew members have reportedly been told there will be only two more series.
The hospital drama Casualty seemingly could be heading for the chop after being hit by ‘super-inflation in drama production’ and a string of cost-cutting measures.
The show, which first launched in 1986, is currently filming its 39th series however The Sun has reported series 40 is said to see the end of the show for good.
Staff say they have been told their recent contract renewals will be the last for the world’s longest running medical drama.
An insider told the publication: ‘Never mind on life support, it feels like Casualty has now received its death warrant.
Long-running BBC drama Casualty is reportedly due to come to an end as the cast and crew are told ‘two more years’ by bosses sparking fears for show’s future
The show, which first launched in 1986, is currently filming its 39th series however The Sun has reported series 40 is said to see the end of the show for good
‘The official messaging is that all is well because the show was recently recommissioned for two more years.
‘But when that new round of contracts were signed, the feedback was ‘two years, then we’re done. To be honest, no one was very surprised. The writing has been on the wall for a while now.’
MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.
Back in September the drama saw its number of episodes slashed in a bid to save money amid the cost of living crisis as a mid-series break was introduced.
A source told The Sun: ‘Casualty peaked in the Noughties when it was on our screens on a Saturday night almost all year round, and that’s what many people have come to expect.
‘The only year that saw a shorter series was in 2021 because of the pandemic, when all TV productions were severely affected.
Adding: ‘Now it seems the cost of living crisis could prove just as devastating.’
A spokesperson for the BBC said at the time: ‘This is not the first time the show has taken a break due to the busy Autumn schedule.
An insider told the publication: ‘Never mind on life support, it feels like Casualty has now received its death warrant’
They continued: ‘But when that new round of contracts were signed, the feedback was ‘two years, then we’re done. To be honest, no one was very surprised. The writing has been on the wall for a while now’
‘Our priority is always delivering quality over hours and due to super inflation in drama production we’ve taken the decision to slightly reduce the number of episodes per year in order to maintain the quality on screen for audiences. We’ve received no complaints from cast and crew, and it will be back on air later this year.’
Earlier this week it was revealed that Casualty is set to see the return of two fan favourite characters for Derek Thompson’s final scenes as he steps away from his role as Charlie Fairhead.
Derek, 75, revealed in May that he would be leaving the BBC series after 37 years on the show.
He chose to leave his long-standing role after budget cuts were introduced meaning the show would see fewer episodes.
And his character Charlie is set to leave the show in a grisly manner, as he is due to be killed off in the form of a brutal stabbing.
For Derek’s final episodes, Casualty legends Sunetra Sarker (Zoe Hannah) and Ian Bleasdale (Josh Griffiths) will make a return, according to The Sun.
An epic two part finale will see Charlie’s final days play out after he is stabbed and left fighting for his life.
Returning in sombre circumstances, Zoe and Josh will rally to be by their friend Charlie’s side.
Derek Thompson has revealed he will be leaving Casualty after 37 years of playing Charlie Fairhead
For Derek’s final episodes, Casualty legends Sunetra Sarker (Zoe Hannah) and Ian Bleasdale (Josh Griffiths) will make a return
Sunetra featured in the programme between 2007 and 2016 before making a guest appearance in 2018.
Meanwhile Ian, who plays paramedic Josh, was the second longest serving cast member on Casualty – next only to Derek.
The first of Charlie’s heartbreaking final episodes will air on Saturday and show the doctor trying to prove that kindness prevails.
However his plan to bridge the gap backfires and distressing scenes see troubled patient Kyle stab Charlie after an argument at the pharmacy.
The doctors will do all they can to save Charlie but ultimately the character will die.
Derek, who has portrayed emergency department nurse Charlie Fairhead in nearly 900 episodes, is the longest-serving cast member in the medical drama.
