Casualty has revealed a first look at their upcoming Christmas special.
The BBC medical drama – which has been off air since September – will return in December for a format-breaking standalone episode.
The new special is a tribute to the miracle of blood, which will be brought to life with the emotional depth Casualty delivers so well.
On Christmas Day in the ED, the staff are faced with an emergency blood shortage.
While Stevie (Elinor Lawless) fights to save lives, Iain (Michael Stevenson) will risk his own to ensure the hospital doesn’t go without all important blood donations.
The episode will feature Coronation Street and Hollyoaks’ Lucy-Jo Hudson, Tristan Sturrock (Poldark, The Crown), Joseph Charles (Breathtaking, Solo: A Star Wars Story), Zoe Brough (Outrageous, Father Brown), Katy Carmichael (Malpractice, Spaced) and Valerie Antwi (DI Ray S2, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).
Rebecca Ferguson, Commissioning Editor for BBC Drama, said: ‘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.’
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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.’
All I Want for Christmas will also feature real-life stories from contributors who have been directly impacted by UK blood donations, as well as interviews with key workers who help for the country’s blood service.
The episode, written by Erin Kubicki and directed by Steve Hughes, will air this December and will be followed by the next boxset of Casualty later in the month.
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