Actor Grant Masters played Manager Dan Robinson in Series 15 of CASUALTY. Viewers will most note him for his storyline involving Holly’s stalker, in which Dan was a possible candidate until anaesthetist Tom was unveiled as the actual stalker. Caring Dan was left at the end of the series, unable to cling on to Tom who slipped from a balcony as he tried to make his escape. Grant reminisces about his role with holby.tv…
It’s been 5 years since you’ve been on CASUALTY, do you have fond memories from working on the show?
Yes I have very fond memories of working on the show, as it was such a fab bunch people working on the show at the time, many of who have become great friends to this day. There were very few days that I didn’t leave the Set with tears of laughter. It was such a fun place to work!
Did you enjoy playing the character of Dan? What were your favourite storylines involving your character?
Dan was a bit too serious at times. I think he needed a humour injection every now and then, but I did enjoy playing Dan, despite the fact that he would always be slightly unpopular because he was in management. I enjoyed the storyline with Holly, Patrick and Tom (the stalker). In particular the episode at Tom’s house, when I got thrown down the stairs. Good fun!
Do you still keep in touch with any cast members from CASUALTY?
Yes. A lot of us meet up for coffee regularly in town. We also go to eachothers weddings, christenings, birthday parties, etc. There is a good network of us to keep up with what’s going on and who’s doing what!
Do you ever watch CASUALTY now?
Uuuuuh! No, sorry! Well very occasionally if I know someone who’s going to be in it. It’s not that I don’t like the show, far from it! It’s just that I really don’t get to watch a lot of TV full stop and when I do, I’m very choosy.
Do you still get recognised by fans from your time as Dan in CASUALTY?
On occasions yes. Normally in hospitals’ A&E departments or supermarkets.
Can you remember your first scene/ words filming on CASUALTY? Were you nervous when you first joined the show?
I remember my first scene but then how could I forget! I was wearing a ridiculous pair of cycling trousers and all the rest of the paraphanalia that left me in no doubt that I looked slightly ridiculous (actually I looked incredibly funny!) I don’t think I had time to be nervous as I started the job at such short notice.
What have you been doing since leaving CASUALTY?
Having a life! Getting married! Building my own house! Reading a lot, writing, etc. Other work I’ve done since leaving CASUALTY include a couple of films, various TV roles like Derailed, Rome, Hustle, The Bill, Waking the Dead, Midsomer Murders, Family Affairs, Mile High and Doctors.
What would be your dream acting role?
Ity would be a film entitled (“The Last Man on Earth” aka The Batchelor Party) – Joking! Not sure, I’ll let you know when it happens.
Which actors/ actresses do you admire?
All those that stick at it!!
What do you like doing in your spare time?
Breathing!
What was the last…
a) book you read – The Book of Laughter and Forgetting (Milan Kundera)
b) film you watched – Crash
c) CD you bought – Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
