BBC viewers heartbroken as show drama has episodes slashed in huge blow

BBC medical drama Casualty has had the number of episodes in its most recent series slashed – with some suggesting the cost of living crisis could be to blame.

The show has become a mainstay on BBC One since its launch in 1986, starting as a 15-part series which eventually hit as many as 48 episodes in a single series.

In recent years, the show has had 44 episodes per series on average since 2016, not including the show being restricted to 30 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But it has been confirmed that the new series, which started on August 26, will have the lowest number of episodes since the year 2000 – with only 36 episodes confirmed for series 38.

According to a TV insider, the cost of living crisis could be causing the impact, with them telling The Sun that rising inflation and costs could be "just as devastating" as the impact of the pandemic on the show's production.

However, a spokesperson for the BBC reportedly told the newspaper that the show initially took a break due to the Autumn schedule, but "super inflation in drama production" has led to the corporation reducing the number of episodes to "maintain the quality".

The spokesperson added that they have "received no complaints from cast and crew" in their statement.

OK! has approached the BBC for a comment.

Some fans took to social media to share their disappointment in the show being cut back, with one user writing: "Ffs #casualty already gets cancelled and postponed due to Eurovision, rugby games, football games, Strictly etc. it ain’t fair. @bbc @BBCOne not impressed @BBCCasualty."

Another wrote: "Ugh stop ruining my fav shows people", while a third added: "Noooooo I need my casualty fix every bloody week".

Some commenters, however, suggested the cut in episode may help the show's quality and remove the pressure of it being on all year around.

One person said: "To be honest, it never really needed to be on virtually year-round. Would have saved them a lot of money."

Another person said: "Understandably a pity for cast and crew. Casualty is so well made by the Cardiff team these days, its important to maintain its quality. If that means cutting the run, so be it."

Other users pointed out the irony in a drama focusing on an NHS hospital having cuts due to funding reasons, with one writing: "At least the beeb are unpurposely and accurately reflecting the current state of the NHS."

Even with less episodes, the new series of Casualty is likely to have some major storylines – including the departure of its longest-running star Derek Thompson, who plays nurse Charlie Fairhead.

Derek has been in the show since its first episode, but it has been confirmed he will leave the show in 2024.

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