‘She has inspired so many women to seek careers and independence’: Amanda Mealing quits role of doctor Connie Beauchamp after 18 years in Casualty and Holby City
Amanda Mealing has bowed out of her role as doctor Connie Beauchamp after 18 years in Casualty and Holby City.
The actress, 53, first portrayed the medic for 11 years In Holby City, before transferring over to Casualty to play the the Emergency Department’s clinical lead seven years ago.
The television star described her time on the BBC dramas as ‘the most remarkable privilege’, saying she is proud to know ‘Connie has inspired so many women and young girls to seek careers, seek independence and strive to be their best’.
Goodbye for now: Amanda Mealing has bowed out of her role as doctor Connie Beauchamp after 18 years in Casualty and Holby City
Amanda said: ‘It has been the most remarkable privilege to play Connie for the last 18 years.
‘When she first hit our screens there were few female leads that weren’t “the wife of…”, “the mistress of…” or needed “rescuing”.
‘Most important for me is knowing that Connie has inspired so many women and young girls to seek careers, seek independence and strive to be their best.’
During her time as Connie, the actress had appeared in some powerful and hard-hitting plot lines – including car crashes, drug addiction, cancer struggles and most recently, the ED’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Talented: The actress, 53, first portrayed the medic for 11 years In Holby City, before transferring to Casualty to play the the Emergency Department’s clinical lead seven years ago
Deborah Sathe, Senior Head of Content Production for Holby City and Casualty, said ‘We owe a huge debt to Amanda and the whole team for delivering some of the most extraordinary episodes Casualty has ever broadcast.
‘We are going to miss Amanda playing chief of the ED Connie. Connie has led the ED, her team, and our Casualty audience through COVID.
‘We look forward to welcoming Connie back onto our screens in due course.’
Amanda also posted a photo of her character’s signature high heels and a doctor’s Stethoscope to her Twitter page.
End of an era: The television star (pictured in January 2020) described her time on the BBC dramas as ‘the most remarkable privilege’, saying she is proud ‘Connie has inspired so many’
Bowing out: Amanda also posted a photo of her character’s signature high heels and a doctor’s Stethoscope to her Twitter page
She wrote alongside the snap: ‘Au revoir…for now. After 7 fantastic years at @BBCCasualty I shall miss my family there. Thank you for your endless love and indefatigable support.’
Connie’s final scenes will air later in March, with no current plans for her to return at this stage.
Amanda, has been married to husband Richard Sainsbury since 1998, and the couple live in Lincolnshire with their two sons, Otis and Milo.
Casualty continues on Saturday, March 6 on BBC One.