Casualty 30th anniversary trailer promises the ‘darkest hour’ of the soap
A DEEPLY ominous trailer for the forthcoming 30th anniversary special episode of Casualty has been unveiled - and promises fans a harrowing watch ahead.
The darkest hour - Casualty celebrates 30th anniversary
The 40-second preview starts off on a positive note as the hospital celebrates Charlie Fairhead’s (Derek Thompson) 30th anniversary in the NHS.
As he is presented with a cake, there is an explosion which rocks everyone and blows out the candles and sends the sponge crashing onto the floor.
The impact of the blast sends everyone in the room flying and wine glasses smashing.
“You’ve been nothing short of incredible Charlie, we love you!” Connie (Amanda Mealing) and Grace (Emily Carey) are heard telling him in a message as a framed photograph of them lies shattered in pieces.
The teaser ends with the spine-tingling tagline: “On the happiest day. Their darkest hour.”
As viewers saw on Saturday, the duo were seen going over the edge of a ravine and leaving fans to an literal cliffhanger to agonise over whether or not they had been killed.
Casualty's 30th anniversary will air later this month
The teaser trailer is an ominous affair
An explosion rocks the party
I've been a part of a few anniversaries over the years, but this really feels like a significant moment in British television history
Soap star Derek, 68, recently spoke about the special, explaining: "From day one of filming Casualty in 1986, I've been so proud of its true to life storytelling, representing everything the NHS stands for."
The Belfast-born star added: "I've been a part of a few anniversaries over the years, but this really feels like a significant moment in British television history."
Along with lots of drama, it will also be a trip down memory lane for Casualty fans as beloved characters make a return for the anniversary episode.
Connie and Grace's lives hang in the balance
The special will celebrate Charlie's 30th anniversary in the NHS
Too Old For This Shift will also crossover into Casualty’s sister series Holby City, with cardiothoracic consultant Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel), CEO Henrik Hanssen (Guy Henry) and Adrian "Fletch" Fletcher (Alex Walkinshaw) all playing key roles in the special.
Numerous stars have made an appearance on the BBC soap before going off to have glittering careers, including Tom Hiddleston, Orlando Bloom and Kate Winslet.
Casualty is the longest-running medical drama in the world and currently averages 5.35 million viewers, taking into account catch-up service figures.
The Casualty 30th anniversary special will air on BBC One on August 27.