Change is looming over Holby ED, and the cast of Casualty is already speaking out. With the BBC’s confirmed plan to relocate the show’s setting from its long-time base of Holby to a new fictional hospital in Wales, actors and fans alike are wrestling with what the future holds. This week, notable voices from the cast have responded to the “huge shake-up” with a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and resolve.

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Dylan Keogh reacts: “A huge opportunity”

William Beck, who plays Dylan Keogh, has acknowledged the massive narrative and production shift. Rather than resisting, he calls the change “really exciting” and describes it as “unprecedented.” He believes that on the other side of the move, the show has the chance to explore fresh stories with greater authenticity.

For Dylan, the shift isn’t just geographical — it’s creative. His character may be asked to carry even more responsibility, bridging the old world of Holby with the new challenges that come with a Welsh hospital setting.

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BBC tender documents confirm the change

The BBC’s tender documentation, released earlier in 2025, lays out the parameters for the shift. The show will resist radical overhaul, but its location, hospital name, and narrative identity will evolve to reflect the Welsh setting. Producers responding to the tender were asked to include “authentic representation of Wales” while maintaining the familiarity fans expect from Casualty.

This move signals more than a cosmetic change — it indicates a long-term strategy to align setting, production, and story in a region where the show already films.

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Fan backlash: “Insulting” and risky shift

Not every reaction has been enthusiastic. Among viewers, there has been vocal criticism about the decision. Some fans have called the relocation “insulting,” saying that uprooting 39 years of Casualty lore is a risky gamble. Many question whether shifting the hospital setting will dilute the show’s identity or alienate longtime supporters.

Devotees of Holby often spoke of the hospital as a character itself — the corridors, wards, neighborhoods, its familiar geography. Losing that home base is not just symbolic; it may change how the show feels.

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What the future holds in Series 40

According to production announcements, Series 40 will be the final one to be set in Holby under the current BBC contract. After that, the fictional ED will relocate to a hospital in Wales.

Although the interior studios (Roath Lock) are already in Wales, the narrative location has always been Holby. The upcoming change means that Casualty will fully embrace the region in storyline, character arcs, and setting — not just production convenience.

Cast changes, new characters, and a recalibration of relationships are expected to follow. Some existing characters will likely transition with the show; others may depart, and fresh faces will be introduced to establish a Welsh ED identity.

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The verdict

Relocating Casualty from Holby to Wales is not a decision made lightly. It reflects a broader push by the BBC to regionalise storytelling, but it also pressures the show to keep its core intact. Fans are torn — some see it as a bold renewal, others as erasing a legacy.

One thing is clear: Casualty is entering its most transformative era yet. With the story moving forward, both the cast and audience must adapt. Holby will always remain part of its DNA — but Wales may be the future.

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💬 How do you feel about Casualty leaving Holby behind? Are you excited for new stories in Wales, or worried the show will lose what made it special?