Casualty star Amanda Mealing reveals Connie Beauchamp can’t keep her addiction secret after a colleague catches her in the act…
As far as Holby troubleshooter Ciaran Coulson is concerned, where there’s a Will there’s a way… to catch Connie in Casualty!
Finally conceding that watching and waiting isn’t yielding any results, this week Ciaran (Rick Warden) decides to up the ante.
His first move in this Saturday’s Casualty is to try and pull Connie’s emotional strings. Certain that Connie (Amanda Mealing) is feeling guilty since manipulating Duffy into taking the blame for her recent near-fatal mistake with a patient, Ciaran attempts to appeal to Connie’s better side by tugging at her conscience.
And Ciaran’s not alone in his crusade against Connie. Elsewhere, doctor Archie Hudson (Genesis Lynea) continues to try and recruit doctor Will Noble as an ally. While he adamantly refuses to take sides, Will can’t help himself from keeping a closer eye on Connie…
“By this point Connie has already blamed Archie for almost killing a patient and used Duffy, a much loved and vulnerable character – it’s dreadful how far she goes to save her own skin because she’s in the throes of addiction,” says Amanda Mealing, explaining troubled Connie’s actions.
MORE: Major storylines in this week's episode revealed here
Connie began self-medicating after a string of crippling panic attacks in the aftermath of a violent assault at work, and as a result has sadly become reliant on anti-anxiety medicine, diazepam. “It’s not just post-traumatic stress; Connie is now an addict and can’t go a day without these tablets. Her mind’s gone; she’s absolutely lost it.
“Sadly she’s gone on this downward spiral by herself because she was far too proud to admit to anyone that she was struggling.”
There’s a big moment in this week’s episode when, completely by accident, Will (Jack Nolan) catches Connie taking pills after popping into her office with a report… Shocked, will he blow the whistle on his mentor?
“This is the turning point,” explains Amanda. “Up until now Connie’s been able to keep her self-medicating a secret. Will has spotted it now.”
Will the young doctor try to help Connie? One way or another, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before Will confides in Archie… No doubt she’ll go straight to Ciaran. But, will word get back to Charlie Fairhead? And if so, will he realise Connie framed his wife, Duffy?
“Charlie is the closest thing Connie has to a friend. They’re really close and yet she’s involved him and Duffy in her deception. It shows how far down the line Connie is,” explains Amanda, who adds: "How long can Connie keep these lies going? She can’t!"
Casualty continues this Saturday at 8.35pm on BBC1
