CASUALTY has signed up a former EastEnders and Death in Paradise star as a new face in Holby ED. The star also brings real-life experience relating to the NHS to the role. Kellie Shirley has been cast as new addition Psych Liaison Nurse Sophia Peters, joining as the medical drama begins a new storyline called Storm Damage.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Kellie shared her family’s real-life connection to the NHS ahead of her new role.
She revealed: "My mum worked for the NHS for 30 years. My grandma worked to the end for the NHS. My mother-in-law worked for the NHS.
.. "It feels like a really perfect fit to play a part that I can bring a tiny bit of authenticity to.
“And also, in between acting jobs , I worked at King's in London and Lewisham hospital neuro wards, and so I could try to feed in a little bit of my work downtime as an actor so that's been quite nice .” Although Kellie’s first on-screen appearance as Sophia will air this Saturday (June 15), she has been working on the show for some time. However, while the actress needed to keep the Casualty casting a secret, she admitted to letting one or two people know to get their help with the role.
This includes her own mother, who works as a nurse, with Kellie asking her for advice about the scripts. She went on to describe her mother as a "mentor" in this respect by wanting to bring as much authenticity as possible to the role. Kellie also mentioned a fellow parent from her childrens' school, who has a similar job to he.
