Casualty's Kwame joins call to keep show in Bristol
Former Casualty actor Kwame Kwei-Armah has given his support to those trying to keep the long-running BBC TV drama in Bristol.
Kwame, who left the show four years ago, said people identified Bristol with Holby and said it would be a pity if it moved to Cardiff.
Now better known as a playwright, Kwame was previously a Bristol Old Vic writer-in-residence.
He lived in Bristol when he was appearing in Casualty but now lives in London.
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He said: "I had a great time in Bristol and in the minds of the audience Bristol is Holby.
"They really associate Holby with Bristol and it has been a real contribution to the city's economy. I wish the campaign all the best."
The Bristol Evening Post revealed last week that the popular Saturday night drama, which has been filmed in the city for more than 20 years, is set to move to Wales, with a final decision being made in the new year.
Jana Bennett, director of BBC Vision, said Casualty would require new accommodation in the near future and was likely to move as part of plans to build a centre for excellence for drama in Wales.
South West Screen, the Bristol-based organisation which promotes TV and film production in the region, has vowed to make the case for keeping the show in the city. Staff working on the series have also spoken against the move, claiming it was unnecessary and a retrograde step.
The Bristol and West General Branch of Equity is running a Keep Casualty in Bristol campaign and a number of MPs have offered their support.
Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy, said: "Casualty has been filmed in Bristol since 1986 and unlike, say, EastEnders, where they never seem to venture out of Albert Square, a lot of it is filmed on location. Holby is Bristol. Moving it to Cardiff and expecting people not to notice the difference is just plain silly."
She said the series was estimated to bring £10 million a year into the local economy and its success was one reason Bristol has become a hub for creative industries.
Comments
by Birbeck, Montpelier
Wednesday, November 12 2008, 12:02PM
“I'm not much of a Casualty fan, and until living in Bristol didn't realise that most of the actors don't have a Bristolian accent. However, why should many other large cities have the opportunity to be seen by everyone at some time on TV, even if it's negative (well, to most people) stuff, eg documentary about Bouncers up north. Bristol doesn't register much in most people's minds as it is. Finally, the BBC compartmentalising genres may appear logical, but that would mean that we never have anymore BBC productions located in our lovely City, although I doubt that their costume dramas, made in such places as Bath, will be moved too as sets can suffice. It's well and good that we have most of the nature/environmental documentaries, but we all need a little make-believe, drama in our lives too!”
by Jeremy Gardner, BS5
Monday, October 20 2008, 10:42PM
“I think we need to start working at a rgeional level to keep Casualty in the city as the spin off industries that it has helped to develop stretch far and wide into the South West. This will be a test to see if the region can bring itself to speak with one voice. If it can't, we can expect to see the SW losing out on more investment to the labour-voting Welsh.”
by Casualty watcher, Bristol
Monday, October 20 2008, 8:38PM
“Casualty should remain being filmed in Bristol. It started there and should finish there if ever it does. You wouldn't move Eastenders to Manchester or Coronation St. to Plymouth so why move Casualty to Cardiff. What a load of codswallop !!!!!”
by Jon, Bristol
Monday, October 20 2008, 2:44PM
“David, i didn't say that.
He wouldn't necessarily endorse the move, he'd just recommend that you look at the positives and see it as an opportunity.
I don't know really. I'm not a Buddhist, but he seems a very nice man. If he can forgive the Chinese for his exile from Tibet, i'm sure he can forgive the BBC for moving Casualty.
You never know, the pope may be against it. Not sure if he has a facebook account though...”
by Budhist, Bristol
Monday, October 20 2008, 2:44PM
“Sounds like the problem is solved then Casualty going to Cardiff is nirvana.”
by David, Bristol
Monday, October 20 2008, 2:14PM
“So basically the Dalai Lama would support Casualty's move to Cardiff, as it sits comfortably with the tenets of Buddhism?
Well, unless His Holiness The Pope has something that he'd like to add in support of Bristol, I'm going to have to go with the Dalai Lama on this one.”
by Ron, Bristol
Monday, October 20 2008, 1:59PM
“Who cares about Casualty as it is a dreadful programme & don't people have better things to do on a saturday evening than just watch tv?”
by Jon, Bristol
Monday, October 20 2008, 1:44PM
“He would tell you that you have to take at any change as a positive in life.
Always look for the opportunity behind a change, rather than dwelling on the apparent negatives.
That's the path to true happiness.”
by Budhist, Bristol
Monday, October 20 2008, 1:32PM
“Over 60 yes, but only until he is born again!”
by Jon, Bristol
Monday, October 20 2008, 1:06PM
“The Dalai Lama has one and he's over 60!
Bet he doesn't watch Caualty though...”