Casualty producers announce show will get its first transgender character

A huge win for transgender people

The producers at hit medical drama Casualty have announced that the show will get its first transgender character as a recurring presence on the show. Arin Smethurst, who goes by they/them pronouns, will appear on our screens sometime in late October where they will portray trans non-binary paramedic Sah Brockner. https://twitter.com/BBCCasualty/status/1424415363329142788 The character is described as being "cool" by producers who note that they also have a tendency to dislike being seen as vulnerable whilst making sure they're not a try-hard. https://twitter.com/ArinSmethurst/status/1445362241382064128 It is reported that Sah will become close with paramedic lead Jan, played by Di Botcher, who will break down Sah's hard exterior. "I am honoured to be joining the spectacular Casualty family as a shiny new paramedic," Smethurst said. "I'm so excited to portray this transgender, non-binary, salty but fiercely compassionate character and hope they are not only well-received, but also a source of awareness for those who have never met someone like me. I can't wait for you to meet Sah!" Smethurst graduated from college this year and this will be their first big screen break. https://twitter.com/ArinSmethurst/status/1429516301597356033 "We are delighted to welcome Arin to the Casualty family and launch our new paramedic Sah for the Saturday-night audience," said Deborah Sathe, senior executive producer of both Casualty and Holby City. "Sah will get themselves into all sorts of professional adventures whilst masking their own personal sorrow. In a world where our privacy is something to be treasured, will Sah be able to keep theirs?" Last year the show was praised for its inclusion of rainbow badges on hospital workers. Executive producer Simon Harper told Digital Spy: "My friend Dr Ranj told me about the badges and this wonderful initiative and asked if it was something we could depict on 'Holby City'. "We thought this was a brilliant idea and we have rolled them out on both 'Holby City' and 'Casualty' in fact, as it's in the same hospital after all. "It is in 'Holby City' however where they are at the heart of the big story where Ben struggles to accept his sexuality and come out of the closet."

Related links:

• Jewish school refusing to teach LGBT issues should not be expanded, says Ofsted
• Gay men in Afghanistan fear that the Taliban will execute them at any moment
• People demand dragon on Welsh flag be given a penis