Stars who had their first break on Casualty: After 30 gory series of the medical drama, we reveal the actors who went from the hospital ward to Hollywood  

Its gore and drama have kept viewers entertained for more than three decades. 

And as Casualty celebrates its 30th series, the BBC programme can count more than a few stars in its alumni of actors. 

Many have achieved Hollywood status while others, among them some of Britain's most beloved actors, are immortalised in memory. 

Here, we wind back the clock to reveal those indebted to the drama, without which some might never have found fame.

Blooming: He’s used to starring in Hollywood blockbusters but, in  the mid Nineties, a young Orlando Bloom  played a builder  called Noel
Blooming: He’s used to starring in Hollywood blockbusters but, in  the mid Nineties, a young Orlando Bloom  played a builder  called Noel

Blooming: He’s used to starring in Hollywood blockbusters but, in the mid Nineties, a young Orlando Bloom played a builder called Noel

Fresh-faced: Even Oscar winners have to start somewhere. In 1993, 18-year-old Kate Winslet starred as a girl with an abusive boyfriend
Fresh-faced: Even Oscar winners have to start somewhere. In 1993, 18-year-old Kate Winslet starred as a girl with an abusive boyfriend

Fresh-faced: Even Oscar winners have to start somewhere. In 1993, 18-year-old Kate Winslet starred as a girl with an abusive boyfriend

Not so fabulous! Now best known as Saffy in Absolutely Fabulous, Julia Sawalha appeared as a blood-stained Casualty patient in 1991
Not so fabulous! Now best known as Saffy in Absolutely Fabulous, Julia Sawalha appeared as a blood-stained Casualty patient in 1991

Not so fabulous! Now best known as Saffy in Absolutely Fabulous, Julia Sawalha appeared as a blood-stained Casualty patient in 1991 

Little Walliams: Now giving other wannabes their break on Britain’s Got Talent, comic David Walliams’ own chance came on Casualty in 2003
Little Walliams: Now giving other wannabes their break on Britain’s Got Talent, comic David Walliams’ own chance came on Casualty in 2003

Little Walliams: Now giving other wannabes their break on Britain’s Got Talent, comic David Walliams’ own chance came on Casualty in 2003

Has Minnie Driver had a car crash? Before she made it in Hollywood (right), the actress played patient Zena in a 1991 stint on the show
Has Minnie Driver had a car crash? Before she made it in Hollywood (right), the actress played patient Zena in a 1991 stint on the show

Has glamorous Minnie Driver had a car crash? Before she made it in Hollywood, the actress played patient Zena in a 1991 stint on the show

Not such a slob: Harry Enfield And Chums comedian Kathy  Burke looking seriously smart as Lorraine in a 1991 episode
Not such a slob: Harry Enfield And Chums comedian Kathy  Burke looking seriously smart as Lorraine in a 1991 episode

Not such a slob: Harry Enfield And Chums comedian Kathy Burke looking seriously smart as Lorraine in a 1991 episode

Here’s Jerome Flynn. . . but where’s Robson Green? Before musical stardom, Flynn played Alan Deacon in 1991
Here’s Jerome Flynn. . . but where’s Robson Green? Before musical stardom, Flynn played Alan Deacon in 1991

Here’s Jerome Flynn. . . but where’s Robson Green? Before musical stardom, Flynn played Alan Deacon in 1991

Sherlock star Martin Freeman was cast in 1998 as a robber who is stabbed. He later said he took the role extremely seriously
Sherlock star Martin Freeman was cast in 1998 as a robber who is stabbed. He later said he took the role extremely seriously

Elementary, my dear Watson: Sherlock star Martin Freeman was cast in 1998 as a robber who is stabbed. He later said he took the role extremely seriously

Caught in the web: Alfred Molina was a rogue journalist in the first series in 1986, going on to star in Spider-Man 2
Caught in the web: Alfred Molina was a rogue journalist in the first series in 1986, going on to star in Spider-Man 2

Caught in the web: Alfred Molina was a rogue journalist in the first series in 1986, going on to star in Spider-Man 2 

Driving to bigger things: From Casualty in 1993, Helen Baxendale starred in Cold Feet and Friends
Driving to bigger things: From Casualty in 1993, Helen Baxendale starred in Cold Feet and Friends

Driving to bigger things: From Casualty in 1993, Helen Baxendale starred in Cold Feet and Friends

Is there a doctor in the house? In 1990, future Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston had a cameo in the drama
Is there a doctor in the house? In 1990, future Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston had a cameo in the drama

Is there a doctor in the house? In 1990, future Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston had a cameo in the drama

Hard man: As a prisoner in 1995, Ray Winstone started a theme
Hard man: As a prisoner in 1995, Ray Winstone started a theme

Hard man: As a prisoner in 1995, Ray Winstone started a theme. In later roles the actor maintained a tough exterior 

There’s Robson Green! And he’s pushing Pete  Postlethwaite in the third series of Casualty
There’s Robson Green! And he’s pushing Pete  Postlethwaite in the third series of Casualty

There’s Robson Green! And he’s pushing Pete Postlethwaite in the third series of Casualty 


The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now