After two years of being off Aussie screens, BritBox is bringing back the long-running UK soap and fan-favourite drama Casualty, much to fans’ delight.
Leading the cast is Charles Venn (EastEnders, The Dark Knight), who returns to the drama as Jacob Masters, the direct, confident, unconventional former army medic-turned-nurse who, for over a decade now, has proven one of the show’s most popular, if divisive characters.
The seven-time BAFTA-winning series follows the dedicated doctors, nurses, and paramedics navigating life-and-death emergencies and the emotional fallout that comes with life on the frontline. Season 39 dives into hard-hitting storylines, from a major hospital crisis and drug-related epidemic to shocking abuse revelations and explosive internal investigations that test the team’s loyalty and resilience.
To coincide with the show’s return, Peter Gray spoke with Venn about what he think has made Jacob so captivating across his decade tenure, how he decompresses from the character’s more psychological storylines, and if he could personally write his own narrative, what situation would he want Jacob to participate in.
The journey of your character, and the empathy for him because you’ve played him for so long, it’s safe to say he’s one of Casualty’s most complex, layered character. If you met Jacob as a real person today, what would you want to say to him?
Wow, that’s a vert good question. What would I say to Jacob if I met him? I think maybe the first thing I would say is, “Take a load off, man.” I really appreciate your kind description, because being given this opportunity to tell his story has been a real, utter pleasure. Yes, he is layered. He’s gone through so many hoops. He’s had to deal with so many obstacles. He’s had testing romances. He’s now a granddad, whilst looking after his son. He has his own issues. He’s had some really challenging stories, so I feel as if I would tell him that “it’s going to be alright.” All these challenges he’s been through are just giving him fortitude. And he still looks good (laugh).
Going off that, when you first joined in 2025, did you have any idea that Jacob would evolve into such a cornerstone of the show? And what do you think it’s been that has kept him so compelling for all these years? Do you think it’s because he’s encapsulated so many different narratives?
That’s another great question there, Peter. You’re throwing some great ones! You know what I think it is? When I first started the show and the way I read Jacob, unless they were keeping their cards close to their chest, I didn’t realise he was going to be as deep and as sensitive. It didn’t read that way to me initially. He was cocky and confident. Cocksure. Arrogant, to a degree. I do love those characters (though). I think there’s a power in when you have a character that seems, on the surface, machismo and a tough guy, but then to sprinkle this element of sensitivity and vulnerability…
I’ve always been a fan of Harrison Ford, and I see some parallels with the characters he’s played and Jacob, this alpha male, you know? But sometimes the situations he’s in, he’s almost a reluctant hero at times. I think what was happening was (the producers) could see how I was choosing to play him, and that encouraged them to push the vulnerable narrative more.
The storylines you’ve had to dive into have centred around trauma, loss, and moral conflict. Is there a personal decompression for you after portraying those moments of crisis or grief? Do you carry any of Jacob home with you?
A great question. You know, when I was navigating the coercive control storyline with Jacob and Tina (Claire Goose), that whole saga, that proved to be tougher than I thought it was going to be. I was naive in thinking that I could leave that story at work and come home, do my thing, debrief, take it off. Leave that domestic control in the dressing room. How wrong I was. It started to filter into my personal life, and I remember I’d be snapping at my missus. “Babe, I’m really sorry.” There were just some little hang-ups that stayed with me. You start analyzing. You answer questions with a question. Or you read into something more than you should. Take things more personal. Yeah, it was harder than I thought it was going to be. That voice of control lasted for almost a year and a half, if I remember correctly.
I’ll never forget when I was on a morning show, promoting the last episode, and I remember watching the scene and they cut back to me, and I shuddered. It took me about a month after that to 100% feel myself again. It was a stark reminder of when we take on those challenging storylines, that you need time to decompress.
As a viewer, it really does add a whole other layer of respect and commitment, looking at it from an acting perspective, as well. And representation is obviously so important, and Jacob’s Nigerian heritage and South London roots add authenticity to Casualty. How important has it been for you to bring that background to life? Especially in a show that reaches such a broad UK audience…
I think it’s really important to bring that. You know it’s like life imitating art, if you will. There’s been a strong important on that onus on me to be as true. I’m from West London originally, and my parents both being Nigerian, I knew it was important to be as respectful as possible. Those viewers, they’re seeing people that are a reflection or representation of them, and that means a lot. When I was a young man and I wanted to be involved in The Game, which was out in the late 90s, and there weren’t many shows at the time where I saw a strong, black, British, wise, alpha male, who was out there navigating his job and saving lives. I didn’t necessarily see many of them. I saw them across the Atlantic in America. We saw Denzel Washington. Wesley Snipes. Morgan Freeman. I saw those guys, but there weren’t many British actors like that on television.
A character such as Jacob, I can see that eyes are on that. When I’m walking on the streets, I see young men come up to me and say they’re a fan of my work and thank me for representing them. And the demographic is getting younger and younger. I’m seeing young girls, 16 or 17, come up to me and ask if I’m on Casualty because their mum is a big fan. What? (laughs). The fact remains, at the end of the day, you are representing for a number of people who look like you. I feel very proud and honoured to be given such a responsibility.
Looking at that responsibility and all the storylines you’ve had, if you could write one scene for Jacob this season, something that hasn’t been explored yet, what would you want it to be?
Wow. You know what? There is one thing. I’m actually still pushing it, and it’s something I want to personally, I’ve always wanted Jacob to be involved in a charity boxing match. He’s doing it for an important cause. And I would want the cause to be for multiple sclerosis, because my beloved sister passed away unexpectedly (from MS), and she was my biggest fan. I would love to have that storyline. I also want to show off my boxing skills (laughs).
Casualty seasons 38 and 39 now available to stream on BritBox Australia.
