Former Casualty star Sunetra Sarker says her colleague, Derek Thompson deserved much more recognition for his services when he exited the series after an impressive three-decade run earlier this year. Sunetra, 51, became a fan-favourite as Dr Zoe Hanna on the beloved BBC medical drama, joining in 2007 and becoming a mainstay at Holby City Hospital until she bid goodbye in 2016, with a fleeting reappearance in 2018. The actress made a special comeback in two episodes aired in March of this year, which celebrated the farewell of her fellow actor Derek, 76.
He was renowned for portraying the most enduring character, senior nurse Charlie Fairhead, since 1986. In a recent interview, Sunetra revealed that she had made a longstanding vow to Derek that she would return for his departure from Casualty. She was discussing her current role as a judge for the upcoming JustGiving Awards.
When questioned about her return for the final episodes featuring Derek, she disclosed: "Well, I always promised Derek if he ever left, I'd come ...
I'd be there in a heartbeat," reports the Mirror . Initially, she believed her appearance would be minimal, maybe "as part of a group of people clapping at the end of the episode or like a little memory lane montage". She further commented on her surprising comeback: "I didn't think it would be [Zoe] coming back to be part of seeing him out.
" She continued to imply that her ex-colleague didn't get the recognition he merited when he exited the show five months.