From Danny Dyer to Kate Winslet: The British stars who got their breaks in Casualty as the TV show celebrates its 30th anniversary
The hospital A&E drama has been the launchpad for many a star's career with several making their debut on the BBC One show
THIS weekend sees the 30th anniversary of Casualty, with a special, feature-length anniversary episode that could be a gory finale for some of its best-loved characters.
The BBC One hospital A&E drama first hit screens on September 6, 1986 and remains a pivotal part of many people's Saturday nights.
Casualty has been the launchpad for many a UK star's career, with many well-known stars making their first screen appearance on the show.
Here we take a look at some of the famous faces to have graced the A&E wards.
Tom Hiddleston
Long before we all fell in love with Tom in The Night Manager (thankfully he'd ditched that Loki hair from Thor and The Avengers) he played a rock climber in a 2007 episode of Casualty.
Who'd have thought he'd now be lined up as a potential James Bond?
Kate Winslet
English Rose Kate graced the famous wards in 1993 as a girl with an abusive boyfriend.
Four years later she became a worldwide star when Titanic hit the big screen in 1997.
She's since notched up several Oscars, Grammys, Emmys and Golden Globes.
Danny Dyer
The actor almost ended up in casualty for real after a fracas with Mark Wright's mates at V Festival, but he starred as a paramedic in the BBC drama back in 2012.
These days Danny can be found behind the bar at the Queen Vic in EastEnders.
Minnie Driver
Minnie appeared as a patient called Zena in a 1991 episode.
It wasn't long before she crossed the pond to Hollywood, appearing in films such as GoldenEye (James Bond), Sleepers and Good Will Hunting.
Ray Winstone
Ray's renowned for playing the hard man, and his stint on Casualty was no exception.
He made an appearance in the ninth series of the show in 1999, before landing similar roles in Hollywood gangster films like The Departed and Sexy Beast.
David Walliams
The same year he had us rolling around laughing on Little Britain in 2003, David popped up in an episode of Casualty.
He's now a judge on Britain's Got Talent and a successful children's author.
Orlando Bloom
We've seen an awful lot of Orlando Bloom of late, but one of his early roles was as a builder called Noel in Casualty.
He starred in three episodes between 1994 and 1996.
His first major role came five years later as Legolas in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and he went on to appear in Pirates of the Caribbean and Troy.
Helen Baxendale
Before she married Ross in Friends - despite him saying the wrong name at the altar - Helen had enjoyed a successful career on UK shores, starring as Rachel in Cold Feet.
But it all started on Casualty, way back in 1993.
Christopher Eccleston
Long before his Doctor Who days, Christopher appeared as a patient in A&E in 1990.
He recently starred in moving BBC drama The A Word.
Martin Freeman
Martin's illustrious career was also kick-started by the hospital drama.
He was cast in 1998 as a robber who gets stabbed.
Martin went on to star in films Love Actually, The World’s End and The Hobbit trilogy, as well as TV series Sherlock.
Amanda Redman
Back in 1992, Amanda needed treatment from the Casualty nurses.
Now, 14 years later, she remains on the BBC, starring in cop drama New Tricks.
The 30th anniversary episode of Casualty airs Saturday from 8pm to 9.40pm.