“No stone will be left unturned!”

Casualty bad boy Tariq Hussain has been balancing a secret relationship with his patient Yasmin with trying to advance his career and looking out for his cousin Rash.

But in today’s episode (August 17), his past came back to haunt him and things went seriously wrong, with an accident that has left Yasmin in a critical condition.

In an exclusive chat, Digital Spy spoke to actor Manpreet Bachu about what’s next for this dramatic story, and whether there is a way back for Tariq and Rash’s relationship.

What was it like to be part of the storyline surrounding Rash’s suicide attempt last series?

“It was a huge honour, because Rash is such a liked character on the show. So to jump straight in the deep end and be involved in an A storyline like that was really cool. Neet [Mohan, who plays Rash] as a person is such a lovely guy. I genuinely feel like I’ve made a strong bond with him from the show. I see him as my older brother, and I give him that respect, and he was amazing to work with.

“To join a big show like this can be a little bit daunting because it operates very differently to a lot of other productions. So he was there to give a helping hand and guide me. But the storyline itself was amazing, because it was such an interesting dynamic for Tariq, given what Rash was going through.”

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How important was it that Tariq’s own struggle was explored in the aftermath this series?

“I think that was great. I didn’t even think they would do that, because you don’t know what’s coming [in the episodes]. So I thought that was a really interesting take because I imagine that’s very real for a lot of people. Suicide itself is a very difficult topic, and the ripple effect it has on everybody can be quite detrimental.

“Tariq is really confident and positive, a happy-go-lucky guy, bouncing off the walls. So it breaks down that stigma that even the most happy and confident people can go through their own struggles.”

In this week’s episode, we learn a bit about Tariq’s past and the rumours that he has slept with patients before and even been violent towards them. Did you ever imagine what might have happened during his weeks in Australia?

“No, I had to just make up my own version of what happened. It wasn’t until we got the scripts, which connected all the dots for me and filled in those grey areas. I didn’t think Tariq was that kind of person, to be honest, so it made it very interesting for me to play that side of him. Thankfully, it wasn’t too Jekyll and Hyde, it still made sense for who Tariq is. So the writing did a good job in keeping that consistent.”

Even though he knows what he is doing with Yasmin is wrong, what attracts Tariq to her?

“Yasmin’s beauty is captivating to him. He’s a bit of a sucker for a pretty face, and I feel like his thoughts just go out the window. There’s also a risk element that’s quite enticing, when you feel like you’re going to get caught. I’m pretty sure that Tariq is very aware that what he’s doing is wrong and he’s basically letting history repeat itself, but I think he’s blissfully naïve in thinking that it’s not going to be like that and he can get around it.

“Also, this happens at a point in life where I think he’s most vulnerable, and he’s getting this love that he’s not getting anywhere else. Unfortunately, it’s a different type of love, it’s more like lust as opposed to a genuine care for that person. He just grabs onto it and doesn’t let go, and before he knows, it’s too late and he has to do damage control.”

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How does Tariq feel when Yasmin starts making fun of Rash’s mental health struggles?

“He gets really defensive, and he takes it personally, because of how much he’s been there for his cousin, and he’s previously defended him to other staff members. I remember there was an episode where Jodie starts gossip, and he says, “Until I hear it from Rash, I won’t believe anything”.

“Given what has happened in the past with Patrick, where there was a slight belief that Tariq would backstab his cousin to elevate his career, he completely squashes that because he doesn’t want that to be the case. He does think about his cousin quite a lot.

“And when he finds out that Yasmin is being mean to him and giving him a lot of stick and just generally not being a nice person, I think he gets really protective of his cousin. He takes some responsibility for what happened with his suicide attempt, so he’s going to defend his honour whenever he can. Tariq doesn’t want this to ever happen again, and he feels like it could, so he’s doing whatever he can to make sure that it doesn’t.”

Is Tariq surprised when Rash tells him that he’s “never let him forget” that he saved his life?

“I think it’s very misinterpreted, because Tariq’s never blatantly said, “I’ve done this for you”. I think a lot of it is Rash’s perspective – he’s seeing Tariq being very protective and overly caring and thinks that he’s constantly reminding him of his fragile state of mind and of what’s happened. Tariq’s only ever coming from a place of care.

“After his suicide attempt, all Tariq wants to do is tread lightly around him and to make sure that everything’s okay with him. He doesn’t want to miss other signals for something going wrong again. But Rash is interpreting this as Tariq hasn’t let him forget it, whereas that isn’t the case at all. I think it surprises Tariq, but it’s also a bit of a relief, as it’s something that’s been on his mind.”

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Things quickly go wrong when Tariq and Yasmin take drugs together. What is his immediate reaction when she falls off the balcony?

“His immediate reaction is that she’s dead, and his whole life is basically ruined. Because even when he looks over, she isn’t moving, so he just thinks she is dead – and that his life, and career, has turned upside down. I think he’s in a state of disbelief.”

Why do you think he decides to call Rash, even before he calls an ambulance?

“Desperation and self-preservation, in that moment. I think he knows this is so bad, and he needs someone he can trust. He doesn’t know who is going to turn up in the ambulance. As much as it could be Iain who he’s built a connection with, given their involvement with Rash, he doesn’t know who’s going to turn up.

“He has to make sure that this is within his control, so he’s going to talk to the one person that he can trust – so he calls Rash. I just think Tariq’s trying to do damage control straight away.”

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Tariq and Rash are now embroiled in quite a messy situation with Yasmin’s accident. Can you tease what might be next for this story?

“No stone will be left unturned! Tariq’s past is finally going to catch up with him, and the audience are going to see who Tariq is. He just slotted into the ED [when he arrived], he’s just there, so I think there are a lot of grey areas that are going to be filled in.”

Tariq and Rash’s relationship has clearly been damaged, with Rash saying he is done protecting his cousin. Do you think there is a way back for them?

“Yeah, I think with family there’s always an element of unconditional love. So I think that there’s still hope and there’s still a way they can move forward together – hopefully stronger as well.”

How are you enjoying playing Tariq, especially getting to play more sides of his character?

“He’s a really cool character. Whenever actors play characters, you always find similarities between yourself and the character, but you’re playing a heightened version of that resemblance. I do see parts of myself in him – though I mostly don’t, he’s very reckless!

“It’s been really fun to play those other additional sides and see how far I can go with it. Thankfully we’ve got such great directors, storytellers and showrunners on Casualty, and they’re able to navigate me.

BBC“Tariq is the opposite of Rash, he lives in the moment and doesn’t think ten steps ahead. Rash is more hope for the best and prepare for the worst, whereas Tariq prepares for the best and doesn’t think about the worst! He freestyles as he goes along, and he does that a lot in his lifestyle but also in his career. He’s able to use his strengths – his charm, his looks, his personality – as a way to overcome those obstacles.

“He’s just been a really fun character to play. He’s very different to everyone in the ED. It’s nice that I can play someone who’s not so by the book, as well. You see doctors as very formal, very regimented, so it’s nice that Tariq still has the credibility of a doctor but also has the relatability of an average person. He’s like your best mate!”

What would you like to see happen for Tariq in the future?

“That’s a good question, I’ve never thought about that! Tariq has always been so career-driven and he looks up to his cousin, so I think it would be so nice for him to get where he wants in his career and to get that recognition from Rash. That would mean a lot to him. Tariq wants to be where his cousin was, so I think when he gets there, which I hope he does, he gets that thumbs up from Rash to say that he’s earned this and has worked for it.”

Casualty airs on Saturday nights on BBC One and now streams first on BBC iPlayer, where episodes are released at 6am on the day of transmission.