Exclusive: Casualty star Michael Keogh on Stevie, Siobhan and Rich’s intense affair – ‘We’ve got a great story here!’

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Exclusive: Casualty star Michael Keogh on Stevie, Siobhan and Rich’s intense affair – ‘We’ve got a great story here!’

  • by Buny
  • Posted on December 6, 2024

Casualty fans who love the drama that comes with fictional infidelity and all its improbabilities are in for a treat when the BBC medical drama returns to our screens on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

When Casualty last aired two weeks ago with Sinking Ships – Day 2 it unleashed the jaw-dropping cliffhanger that consultant Stevie Nash’s new flame, Rich Walker is married to clinical lead Siobhan McKenzie.

Remember how sparks flew when Stevie (Elinor Lawless) first met the fireman at a car crash (how’s that for a metaphor?) in Sinking Ships – Day 1?

Well, this week in After the Flood, with some encouragement from Siobhan (yes, really!), Stevie meets up with her boss’s hubby and one thing leads to another…

As of yet, neither woman knows about the other, but it’s clear that Rich is playing with fire – and we’re here for it!

Here, Peaky Blinders and Emmerdale star Michael Keogh, who joined the Casualty cast as firefighter Rich Walker last month, tells us more and teases what lies ahead in this explosive storyline…

Casualty star Michael Keogh as firefighter Rich Walker.

Casualty firefighter Rich Walker is set for a sizzling summer affair storyline. (Image credit: BBC Studios)

Casualty exclusive with Michael Keogh

We’re excited for this affair storyline to take off. How are you feeling about the fans’ reactions, Michael?

“From an actor’s point of view, you never know how it’s going to hit, so I’m quite excited and looking forward to seeing people’s response to it.“It’s a tricky situation for all three characters. Stevie doesn’t have much luck with men, does she?” 

It looks like Siobhan doesn’t either! How would you defend Rich?

“The great thing about drama is that you can go from really not liking a character to feeling differently about them – and I hope that’s the way it goes for Rich. I don’t think he’s a bad guy. I think once the story unfolds… Well, we’ll see! I’m not giving anything away here!”

How has it been working with Elinor Lawless, who plays Stevie?

“It’s been great working with Elinor and the directors on the show have been brilliant too. I’m the type of actor where I have my idea of who the character is and I really like to work with the directors – you know, to lead myself but also be led by them as well. I think we got a great story here, I really do!”

It sounds like you’re enjoying your time on the show!

“It’s great. The cast and crew are wonderful and they have a great setup here. I’ve made some great friends too – Charles Venn (who plays paramedic Jacob Masters), Barney Walsh (nurse Cam Mickelthwaite), Manpreet Bachu (junior doctor Tariq Hussein), and everyone’s so supportive. It’s a great working environment and a bit like a little family.”

What do you think makes Casualty a special place to work?

“I’ve done some good work over the years, but this one has been special just because of the dynamics that you create and the relationships that you build, and that it’s going to be ongoing for me. Everything is incredibly well organised and of an exceptional standard here, so as an actor you don’t have to worry about anything. It’s a well-oiled machine, and a tremendous amount of hard work goes into creating an episode.”

What appealed to you about Rich and what do you enjoy about portraying him?

“Deep down I think he’s a good guy. It struck me that he’s a fireman and these guys, they’re risking their lives, day in and day out to help others. I can’t see you being a terrible human being if you’re rescuing people every day. So when I read the brief that he’s a man’s man, driven and a leader, I knew I’d like to play this strong character. And, with the relationship dynamic of the story… That’s always a vulnerable area for anyone, regardless of how tough you are.”

Did you get any advice or insights into the profession when approaching the role?

“Yes, I talked to the medical advisors on set and one guy who works in an A&E, when I asked him, ‘How do you deal with the tragedy that occurs?’ he said, ‘You just get on with it. You’re in survival mode trying to save someone’s life.’ Interestingly, he said that when he watches shows, such as documentaries of real-life A&Es or Casualty, that’s when it really gets to him, when he’s external to it and he’s observing it. I’ve never been in a position where I’ve had to save someone’s life. I couldn’t imagine what that would be like. I’m an actor, it’s the people who are saving real people who deserve all the kudos for putting their lives on the line without a second thought. I find that incredible.”

Given you’re playing a firefighter, does that mean you’re involved in a lot of the show’s stunts?

“There are a lot of incidents that do occur! Let’s just say that Rich has been on the scene quite a lot and he’s known amongst paramedics, such as Charles’ character Jacob or Michael Stevenson’s character, Iain Dean. They’ve known him over the years from incidents and he’s got a good dynamic professionally with them.”
Michael working with Charles Venn on a rescue scene in Casualty.
Rich will be working alongside Holby’s paramedic team in upcoming episodes of Casualty.  (Image credit: BBC/ALISTAIR HEAP)

At this stage, does Rich realise that Stevie and Siobhan work together?

“Well… He clearly knows that his wife’s a nurse and Stevie is a doctor. So, I don’t know if you’d put it down to stupidity or brazenness from Rich! I don’t think anybody intentionally and deliberately goes out to do that, but in the instance of Rich and Stevie, I suppose you can’t really help who you have feelings for…”

What can you tell us about Rich’s views on his marriage to Siobhan as he goes down this path?

“I think maybe he doesn’t want to settle down. Maybe it’s like, it’s not over for him to enjoy life and go out and – I’m not going to say ‘party’, but live life a little. There is a bit of an age gap between him and Siobhan; she was a little older when they met and, as that age difference progresses, maybe she wants to settle down and he doesn’t. Perhaps life is winding down for her and maybe it’s not for him… I would say they’re at different speeds at this point in their lives.”

How’s it working with Melanie Hill, who plays your on-screen wife?

“She’s absolutely incredible. I grew up watching her in some tremendous movies and TV shows. When you grow up really admiring someone as an actor, and then you get to be their husband it’s like, ‘Wow! I need to pinch myself!’ Mel is an absolutely brilliant actress and an incredibly kind and lovely woman. I have the best time working with her.”

What does it mean to have a regular role on Casualty?

“I grew up watching the show every Saturday night, religiously, when Brenda Fricker (nurse Megan Roach) was in it with Charlie Fairhead (played by Derek Thompson), who is a British institution. I remember being blown away by it as a kid and also affected by it. But not in a bad way, but rather in that you saw another side to life. It’s a multiple BAFTA winning show, which says a lot, so it’s a real honour from my point of view to just even just to be on set.”

You had a guest role on the show back in 2016, didn’t you?

“Yes and, weirdly, it was eight years to the day that I started the role of Rich! I did an episode where my character got stabbed in the leg with some scissors. Some of the crew and the makeup artists that were on it back then are still on it now. It was lovely to see them again and they remembered me which is always nice!”

Finally, you had a memorable guest role on BBC period drama Peaky Blinders, as an asylum nurse. What are your memories of working on that?

“It was a wonderful experience and a privilege to do a nice little episode of Peaky Blinders. Cillian Murphy (who plays the main character Tommy Shelby) is just incredible, probably the best actor I’ve ever worked with. We’ve got a mutual friend who’s a producer so he knew I was coming on the job and I just spent the day with me and him hanging out; he’s one of the loveliest men I think I’ve ever met in my life.“It was quite funny because before we filmed the pocket watch scene he said to me, ‘Michael, listen, don’t get into the pocket watch. It’s like messing with Tommy’s missus or his car.’ And I don’t know why I did it, but when we were filming I instinctively whipped out the pocket watch and said, ‘Oh, that’s nice.’ And if you look at his reaction, it’s like, ‘What?’ Honestly, because he told me not to do it… I am the kid who touches the wet paint and steps on the grass!”
Read more

Casualty fans who love the drama that comes with fictional infidelity and all its improbabilities are in for a treat when the BBC medical drama returns to our screens on Saturday, July 13, 2024. When Casualty last aired two weeks ago with Sinking Ships – Day 2 it unleashed the jaw-dropping cliffhanger that consultant Stevie Nash’s new flame, Rich Walker…