Casualty
Amanda Mealing and Emily Carey on playing mum and daughter, and their dramatic exit storyline…
SATURDAY / BBC1 ‘I don’t like saying goodbye,’ says Amanda Mealing, but that’s exactly what’s happening this Saturday when her character, the majestic clinical lead Connie Beauchamp, leaves the ED to spend more time with daughter Grace. In an exclusive interview, Amanda tells us she has big plans for the future, but what are the chances of a comeback? For the full prognosis,
Connie Beauchamp is the queen bee of Holby ED.
But there is one person for whom the steely clinical lead holds no fear – her teenage daughter, Grace!
Emily Carey originally played Grace in Casualty from 2014 to 2017, reprising the role in February this year as part of fan favourite Connie’s exit storyline after star Amanda Mealing decided to take a break from the medical drama.
And, in this Saturday’s dramatic episode, mother and daughter unexpectedly take flight after a shocking chain of events.
Here, in an exclusive interview, Amanda, 53, and Emily, 17, chat to TV Times about Connie and Grace’s discreet exit and their bond away from the cameras…
How would you describe Connie and Grace’s relationship?
EMILY Because they’re so similar, sometimes they clash – and, when they do, it’s big time! They have a bond like no other, but occasionally they need something to happen to remind them of how close they are… It’s definitely turbulent, especially now Grace is a teenager!
AMANDA Yes, Connie has to accept that Grace is a young woman, not a little girl. Grace makes Connie more rounded, and not afraid of showing that she cares. I think Grace takes from Connie that you have to stand up for yourself.
What do you love most about working together?
AMANDA Emily is such a beautiful human being; absolutely adorable. And so good at her job. It’s funny, the reaction Connie had when Grace came back mirrored my reaction when I saw Emily. Having watched someone blossom and grow, it’s like art and life mirroring each other because Connie also sees this beautiful young woman standing in front of her.
EMILY Amanda’s like a surrogate mum to me – I call her Mama Mealing! Every time I work with Amanda, it’s like a workshop in how to act, and she’s always there for support and advice.
I’ve learnt a lot, and love her so much!
What can you reveal about the events up to
Connie’s decision to call time on her career?
EMILY Grace and her friend Ollie Hide [Harry Collett] are on a little picnic date in the woods. Ollie is chucking sweets into the air and catching them when one gets lodged in his throat! Chest compressions aren’t working and Ollie isn’t breathing, so Grace decides to attempt this makeshift
[ surgery using a penknife, a straw
] and an online video . She quite literally has Ollie’s blood on her hands and feels overwhelming guilt and fear.
AMANDA We see that Grace is very much Connie’s daughter! When the situation comes to it, she steps forward. Grace believes that is the best thing to do, so she does it – and saves the day. Grace is a little mini Beauchamp!
It sounds extremely traumatic…
AMANDA Yes, and Connie tells Grace that she’s been worried about her. She lets her daughter know that she’s been through things and knows life can do strange things to you. Connie then comes to the realisation that if she doesn’t repair this relationship she’s going to lose Grace completely. She admits that she became addicted to prescription medication, and she wants Grace to know this because she respects her as a woman now.
EMILY It’s intense. These events really open both Connie and Grace’s eyes. They begin to realise they can make this relationship work. I think for Grace, it comes from a place of just wanting that motherly love and attention, and now Connie is there with her and seems to be all in.
The ED team doesn’t find out Connie has left until the next episode. Was that intentional?
AMANDA Yes, they don’t announce it to anyone! In life, sometimes the biggest moments are small and private. Connie’s relationship with Jacob [Charles Venn] has gone. If Connie wants him, she’s going to have to fight, and I don’t think she has the energy for that. In real life, I don’t like saying goodbye so I didn’t tell the cast and crew. But Charles Venn, bless him, organised a goodbye Zoom party!
What’s next for you both?
EMILY I voice Anne Frank in Ari Folman’s upcoming film Where is
Anne Frank? It was an honour. It’s a stunning piece of cinema and I can’t wait to share it with the world.
AMANDA I’m in talks about making a proper series of Out of Hours
[Amanda’s web drama, available at vimeo.com/showcase/
7065816], and I’m focused on getting funding for a feature film! As for Casualty, we’re going to talk in about six months. I think we should do an episode where Connie goes to New York with Grace. You’ll have to come out and interview us!