Too Old for This Shift

"Too Old for This Shift" is the 1005th episode of Casualty and the 1st episode of the 31st series. It was preceded by "Sticks and Stones" and will be followed by "The Heaven's Lieutenant". The episode was directed by Steve Hughes and written by Matthew Barry and Andy Bayliss. It will be 110 minutes long.

The episode will see the permanent return of Lisa "Duffy" Duffin, portrayed by Cathy Shipton, who hasn't been part of the main cast since series 17. Additionally, it will feature the temporary departure of Connie Beauchamp, portrayed by Amanda Mealing.

Synopsis
Charlie's anniversary celebrations go ahead as planned, but the staff are soon shaken when news of Connie and Grace's crash gets back to them. At the celebrations, Charlie is shown the video compilation of many former staff members congratulating him on his 30 years in the department. However, this isn't before an inferno reaches the party causing havoc all around.

With the strain on the department running high already, Charlie and Duffy explicitly tell Jacob to remain in the department to help in lieu of Connie and Grace's accident. However, he defies their orders and heads out to the scene to help along with Jez and Iain.

Meanwhile, Jac Naylor and Henrik Hanssen make a visit to the ED to assist with the chaos which is unfolding, and he's not impressed. As Elle takes the lead, her true intentions of being in the department become clear.

Alicia clashes with Lily despite their best efforts to neutralise the situation. Robyn, David and the other nursing staff work together in a desperate attempt to get through the mass of casualties. As the day moves into evening, the medical teams work hard to save Connie and Grace but will they both make it out alive?

Production
Filming of the 30th anniversary feature length episode took place over 5 weeks in April and May 2016. Filming took place on location near Tintern in southern Wales where the car accident was filmed for the 30th series' finale.

After the 1000th episode aired towards the end of June, further details were released about the 30th anniversary episode. It was announced that Holby City's Jac Naylor, Henrik Hanssen and Adrian "Fletch" Fletcher would all play a central part in the episode. Additionally, Oliver Kent revealed that several old faces would return for the episode. Over the following months, several former cast members were revealed to be guest starring in the episode.

Following the airing of the series 30 finale "Sticks and Stones", a trailer for "Too Old for This Shift" was released which was a 40 second clip showing the chaos unraveling at Charlie's party at The Hope & Anchor. Although the trailer contained very little dialogue, various things can be seen and heard in the clip including a cloud of red and yellow smoke, what appears to be the images from a brain scan and the sound of a helicopter in the background. The only lines are at the end which shows Connie and Grace wishing Charlie well for his celebrations on their video recording.

Gallery
The following images are episode stills or promotionals which have been released.