Goodnight, NURSE
CASUALTY’S CATHY SHIPTON JOINS US FOR ONE FINAL CHAT, AS HER ALTER EGO DUFFY BOWS OUT OF THE SHOW FOR GOOD…
When I went for my audition for Duffy, the producer held up a picture of me and said, ‘If I needed a nurse, I’d like her to be someone like this – dependable and good at her job,’” recalls actress Cathy Shipton, aka Duffy, whose last episode of Casualty airs this week. “I didn’t realise he was offering me the role! I went home, and by the time I’d got back, he’d rung my agent to offer me the job.”
That was back in 1986, and now – over three decades later – Cathy’s bidding farewell to the show. It’s an emotional time, but the 62-year-old tells us there are no regrets about hanging up her nurse’s uniform…
What was it like filming Duffy’s last episode after 34 years?
I knew it was going to be a huge tear-jerker when I got the script. But at the same time, there’s something beautiful about this last episode – I’m proud of how it all comes to an end. We first discussed the dementia storyline two years ago – I said, “Oh, does that mean Duffy won’t be a nurse any more?”, so I was pleased that even in the last half a dozen episodes, her nursing skills and all of that experience are still at the fore.
So you’re feeling okay about saying goodbye to Duffy?
Oh yes, completely. Particularly as this last storyline was so well-researched, and truthful. There’s not a day that goes by when people don’t talk to me about this plot, and things that have happened – or are still happening – in their lives. It’s topical and necessary, and hopefully Duffy’s story is helping other people.
We can’t say too much about the last episode, but what can you tease?
It’s a really powerful episode and totally honours the character. Duffy goes wandering out in the snow due to her dementia, and she’s confused. The
snow machines were really stateof-the-art, and even though it wasn’t cold that day, the minute we stepped into the snow, we all started shivering!
Duffy puts on one of her old uniforms during this episode – that must have taken you back…
It was great, as it still fitted! But I did think, ‘Why did anyone ever wear these?’ Derek Thompson [Charlie] and I were consulted when the uniform was remodelled a few years ago, and I opted for a tunic and trousers. And lots of nurses said, “Thank you!”, as it’s not the most practical wearing a skirt.
How should Duffy be remembered?
A lot of people have told me that they’ve become nurses because of Duffy. There’s even a nurse advisor on the show who has a bangle with ‘What would Duffy do?’ on it! So there are people who got into the field of medicine because the creators of
Casualty invented Duffy – and that’s the best legacy she could leave.