‘Casualty’ is to air a special episode filmed in just one take to mark its 30th anniversary.
The BBC drama series plans to create a one-off ‘live’ episode, titled ‘One’, which will centre on veteran nurse Lisa ‘Duffy’ Duffin (played by Cathy Shipton) as she welcomes two new nurses to the hospital.
Cathy explained to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "It is so exciting and nerve-wracking to be working on this episode and unlike anything any of us cast or crew have ever attempted.
"It is a brilliant fly-on-the-wall episode in real time, placing nurses central in the storyline. It will become a classic ‘Casualty’."
Series producer Erika Hossington said the one-off programme will give viewers an unprecedented look into life in a hospital.
She said: "This special episode will give the audience a unique insight into an hour in A&E. It will be an intense, emotional hour in which staff and patients are faced with life-changing events."
The episode is set to be shot as ‘live’ next week and its airing will mark the end of the show’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Cathy returned to ‘Casualty’ last year, after her appearances in a series of one-off episodes in 2015 were well received by TV viewers.
Duffy was one of the programme’s original characters, and the actress was delighted to be welcomed back on set.
She previously said: "After returning last year for episodes one and two of series 30, many asked if Duffy was sticking around long-term and I replied that the door is wonderfully wide open! Well, the response was so positive that I’ve stepped right through and am thrilled to be back on the show."