BBC Casualty’s Flynn Byron is poised to make a significant decision after uncovering his father-in-law’s misconduct. Rida Amaan, portrayed by Sarah Seggari, has been dealing with challenging scenes in recent weeks due to the alleged inappropriate behaviour of consultant Mr Whitelaw (Robert Bathurst), who is notorious throughout the hospital.
In last week’s TV episode, nurse Amaan tried to confide in the emergency department’s clinical lead, Flynn (Olly Rix), but was taken aback when Dr Byron disclosed that Whitelaw was actually his father-in-law. Surprised by this revelation, Rida quickly changed the subject and instead complimented her new boss.
However, this week, Rida gained access to a private chat room revealing the malpractices of surgeons not only in Holby City’s hospital but nationwide. After sharing her concerns with friends Jodie (Anna Chell) and Cam (Barney Walsh), she later decides to make the group public – much to the chagrin of her colleagues, reports the Mirror.
Rida and her female co-workers in the surgery unit were summoned to Russell’s office, where he assured them of their safety. While Nicole (Sammy T Dobson) tried to voice her concerns, Rida silenced her and later revealed that this was part of her strategy to win over Russell.
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Fans of the nail-biting drama can expect some serious plot twists, as Olly shares a sneak peek with the Mirror about his character’s upcoming challenges: “That becomes really the sort of centrepiece of the box set, and that and that moral dilemma.
“I think what you’re seeing being set up and something that we really explore is ‘Who is this man? When the chips are down, what does he do? Is he brave? Despite personal consequences, does he tug tail and run?’”
Olly continued: “We’ve introduced this high-functioning, very competent alpha-male personality who’s come from that world, and we’re saying now, ‘Can you do it when it counts?’”
A turning point arrives when Russell confronts Flynn with a chilling choice after learning of Flynn’s infidelity in the military.
“That’s really the kicker – Russell can potentially leverage Flynn’s silence,” Olly revealed, noting the delicate power balance. He added: “They’re not actively at war, they’re not fighting. He’s saying, providing you don’t do anything, I won’t do anything. Flynn has to choose to step into that fire and say ‘I’m going to risk it all, or he won’t.”
Discussing the on-screen tensions between Flynn and Dr Rash Masum, Olly said: “I enjoyed it from the off. I liked that I sort of put his nose out of joint initially, as an actor, it was an interesting thing to do. I was hoping that we would get the payoff that I think we’re going to get. Ultimately, there’s no lack of professional respect or courtesy, yes, he quite brutally fired somebody and that upset Rash.
“But I think all Flynn is ever asking of Rash is that he steps up and gives his best because he’s such an outstanding doctor. I think Flynn, from the off, sees something worth nurturing in Rash and tries to bring out some self-belief and self-confidence as the ranking elder.”
One thing Olly is sure about – Flynn can hold his own. “He can own his failings, he can own his blind spots and face them,” he said, adding: “He does have a sort of energy that means he can attack things pretty aggressively and pretty quickly, often pretty effectively.
“But he’s not afraid to confront his failings. Of course, it’s gathering pace in the background but that becomes a central question of the entire box set. Is his biggest failing and biggest issue – is he going to face those? We’re seeing good signs so far, but we’ll see.”
He also teased an “interesting story” about Flynn and councillor Anna Mills, whom he has been seen getting close to in recent weeks.
After joining the BBC medical drama earlier this year, Olly admitted it was a “collaborative process” between himself, series producer Liza Mellody for Olly to step into the role of Flynn. “The character himself, we had such an exciting conversation about him,” he revealed, admitting he “threw suggestions in” for his character.
Olly revealed that his preparation for the part involved delving into the world of special forces, mirroring the experienced military background of his character Flynn. Viewers were first introduced to Flynn through his own perspective as he became a patient due to a car mishap.
The actor said: “Flynn doesn’t come in like any good character, he doesn’t come in static or fully formed, unevolving entity. If the audience sticks with him and goes with him, they’re going to go on a journey. That’s why we did the research and the character we began to wrench him out of that context and put him in an NHS world and people that he has to treat very differently, and watching him discover himself in a new environment. It becomes a bit of a redemption arc for Flynn.”
