The classic – and long-running – BBC medical drama has been reviewed by streaming service Britbox which has uncovered older scenes that could cause offence or distress

A streaming service has added warnings to old episodes of Casualty advising that some scenes ‘may offend’ due to racist language and attitudes.

Fans of the long-running British medical drama are able to delve into the archives to watch old episodes on the streaming service Britbox.

The show has been on the air on the BBC since 1986, leading reviewers to find some scenes have become dated in contrast to modern day values and expectations of TV shows.

As a result, warnings have been added to ‘dozens’ of old episodes as they show black characters being racially abused and warn of other scenes of a distressing nature.

Old episodes of Casualty will reportedly include warnings of racism when they are streamed on Britbox (Image: BBC)

The caution at the beginning of episodes advises viewers to be braced for potentially upsetting moments which: “Contain emotional scenes and medical procedures.”

The Sun reports that one episode from 1986 has been branded racist, warning: “Contains emotional scenes and racist language and attitudes which may offend some viewers.”

A spokesman for BritBox told the publication: “We review and refresh BritBox’s programme catalogue on an ongoing basis.

An episode from the 1980s has been branded racist due to language used by one character against a black character (Image: BBC)
“Programming on the service that contains potentially sensitive language or attitudes of their era has carried appropriate warnings since our launch in November 2019, to ensure the right guidance is in place for viewers who are choosing to watch on demand.”

Casualty has been on the air for 35 years, producing over 1,200 episodes across 35 seasons.

Series writer Susan Wilkins said in a 2016 documentary that one of the aims of Casualty was to share an anti-racism message from when it first began airing.

Derek Thompson, who played Charlie Fairhead since the first episode, has previously praised the show for confronting social issues (Image: BBC)
While actor Derek Thompson, who played medic Charlie Fairhead, shared his pride at the fact Casualty has confronted social and real life topics through it’s episodes.

He said ahead of the drama’s 1,000th episode in 2016: “From day one of filming Casualty in 1986, I’ve been so proud of its true to life storytelling, representing everything the NHS stands for.

“I’ve been a part of a few anniversaries over the years, but this really feels like a significant moment in British television history.”

A string of A List star got their first break into the acting world starring on Casualty – including Kiera Knightly, Kate Winslet and Tom Hiddleston.

While Marvel actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw began her Hollywood career with an acting role on Casualty sister series Holby City.

Holly City – set in the same fictional Holby City Hospital, in the fictional county of Wyvern – has been on the air since 1999, but will come to an end after the show was cancelled.

Sister series Holby City has been cancelled (Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron)

The cancellation was announced last month and stated the series would end following the 23rd season – which is due to end airing in March 2022.

The cancellation was met with a backlash from fans and some past cast members who have since launched a petition to try to have the series saved.

Casualty airs on BBC One with the next episode due to air on Saturday at 9.35pm – while Holby City airs on BBC One with the next episode due to air on Tuesday at 9.20pm.