The BBC has confirmed that Casualty, the network’s long-running medical drama, will remain off air until late 2025 or early 2026 as the production team prepares for one of the most significant overhauls in the show’s nearly four-decade history.

After concluding its current run earlier this year, Casualty entered a planned hiatus to accommodate production shifts and creative redevelopment. The break follows months of speculation among fans and media outlets after the programme disappeared from BBC One’s Saturday evening schedule in September.

According to the BBC, the pause will allow producers to complete work on a refreshed format that will see the fictional Holby City Hospital setting retired, with the action moving to a new facility in Wales. The relocation marks the end of an era for the series, which first aired in 1986 and has remained one of the broadcaster’s most enduring dramas.

A BBC spokesperson described the move as “a natural evolution for the show,” adding that the forthcoming season “will honour Casualty’s legacy while introducing a new generation of characters, stories and visual energy.” The spokesperson also confirmed that several fan-favourite cast members are expected to continue, though new regulars will join the ensemble when production resumes at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff.

Industry observers note that Casualty’s transition to Wales aligns with broader production trends at the BBC, which has been expanding its regional operations to decentralise drama output and strengthen representation across the UK. The move is also expected to refresh the show’s storytelling possibilities, exploring regional NHS challenges and a more contemporary depiction of frontline emergency care.

Despite online rumours of cancellation, BBC executives emphasised that the break is temporary and strategically planned. “The series remains a vital part of our drama portfolio,” a statement from BBC Studios said. “Viewers can expect a bold return that reaffirms why Casualty continues to resonate after nearly forty years.”

The upcoming run, expected to air under the banner of Series 40, will reportedly include narrative arcs centred around new medical ethics dilemmas, evolving healthcare technology and shifting workplace hierarchies. Writers have also hinted at a darker, more character-driven tone following several high-impact storylines from the previous season, which concluded with multiple cliffhangers involving key personnel.

Reaction among cast and fans has been largely positive. Actor Milo Clarke, who plays Teddy Gittens, told Yahoo UK that the changes signal “a stronger, more focused show with deeper emotional stakes.” Long-time viewers have taken to social media expressing both nostalgia for Holby City and curiosity about what lies ahead.

While the precise airdate has yet to be announced, insiders suggest Casualty will return to BBC One in January 2026, supported by an extensive publicity campaign and behind-the-scenes specials documenting the production shift.

For now, the break serves as both a pause and a promise — a rare opportunity for reinvention within a franchise that has helped define British television drama.

As the Emergency Department prepares to reopen its doors in a new location, the only question that remains is: can Casualty’s next chapter capture the same heartbeat that has kept viewers watching for nearly four decades?