Casualty has confirmed the exit of one of its best-loved stars, Amanda Mealing.
The Connie Beauchamp actress joined Casualty in 2014, having already played her in Holby City, and has described the last 18 years as “the most remarkable privilege.”
During her stint, the actress has performed in some of the soap’s most powerful and hard-hitting plot lines – including the ED’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Other plots have included car crashes, rescue missions, drug addiction, and have grappled with difficult topics like cancer and euthanasia.
And recently fans have watched as Connie’s relationship with Jacob (Charles Venn) unravel as she copes with the pressures of the pandemic.
(Image: PA)
Amanda said of her exit: “It has been the most remarkable privilege to play Connie for the last 18 years.
“When she first hit our screens there were few female leads that weren’t ‘the wife of…’, ‘the mistress of…’ or needed ‘rescuing’.
“Most important for me is knowing that Connie has inspired so many women and young girls to seek careers, seek independence and strive to be their best.”
(Image: BBC/Alistair Heap)
Senior Head of Content Production for Holby City and Casualty Deborah Sathe added: “We are going to miss Amanda playing chief of the ED Connie. Connie has led the ED, her team, and our Casualty audience through COVID.
“The quest to restore Casualty to our screens was not an easy one, and we owe a huge debt to Amanda and the whole team for delivering some of the most extraordinary episodes Casualty has ever broadcast.
“We look forward to welcoming Connie back onto our screens in due course.”
(Image: WireImage)
Amanda also tweeted her farewells, writing: “Au revoir…for now. After 7 fantastic years at @BBCCasualty I shall miss my family there.
“Thank you for your endless love and indefatigable support.”
*Casualty returns to BBC One on Saturday at 8:20pm.
Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/amanda-mealing-quits-casualty-connie-23585021