Casualty, Cagney And Me

Sharon Gless on playing a surgeon in the medical drama and the legacy of Cagney & Lacey…

- Elaine Reilly

Drama

Casualty

BBC1 / SATURDAY / 9.10PM

It’s not every day a superstar drops into Holby and performs life-saving brain surgery.But this Saturday that’s exactly what happens as Cagney & Lacey legend Sharon Gless makes her much-anticipated guest appearance in BBC1’s Casualty.

In an exclusive interview with TV Times, Sharon, 74, tells us about her role as fabulously named surgeon Zsa Zsa Harper-Jenkinson, famous fans (literally!) worshipping the ground she walks on, and why Cagney changed TV…

So, Sharon, how did you get involved in the show?

My agent called me and explained that producer Daf Llewelyn requested me on this really huge TV series called Casualty! I love working in the UK and Zsa Zsa is the best character, so I said I’d love to. Apparently it’s the first time Casualty have flown an American over to play a role.

How would you describe Zsa Zsa?

In the script she’s described as ‘blousy’. She doesn’t dress in a blousy fashion but she’s big in spirit. Zsa Zsa is very funny, often inappropriately, which is my favourite thing!