Name: Angels
Genre: Drama
Released: 1975-09-01
Rating: 4.5
Cast: Shirley Cheriton, Judith Jacob, Kathryn Apanowicz, Fiona Fullerton, Julie Dawn Cole

The NHS soap that birthed Casualty — peak '70s Britain with terrible wigs and worse decisions.

Vintage chaosHospital corridor realnessPre-Health & Safety Britain

Latest Episode

30 min

Season 9 • Episode 32

Latest

Episode 9.32

Dec 22, 1983

Overview

Drama

Angels is a BBC medical soap-opera which launched on 1st September 1975 and was the blue print for such medical soaps as Casualty, Holby City, plus daytime soap, Doctors. The medical soap focuses on different departments within Heath Green Hospital and was a highly successful continuing drama.

Content warning

Class mobility through nursingInstitutional grindFemale ambition vs. expectationNational Health anxiety

Standout Aspects

Acting

Judith Jacob's warmth anchors the early chaos.

Production

Genuine NHS hospitals = accidental documentary value.

Writing

Female-led ensemble before it was revolutionary.

Best for:Binge·Solo·Rewatch

First AiredSep 1, 1975

StatusEnded

Vibe

Pacesteady

Intensitymedium

Tonemixed

Feelmedium

Seasons9·Episodes220

Top Cast

Shirley Cheriton

Fiona Fullerton

Julie Dawn Cole

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Cultural

Angels launched the 'nurse as working-class hero' archetype that dominated British TV for decades, directly influencing Holby City's entire existence.

Trivia

Fiona Fullerton later played a Bond girl, making her the rare actor to graduate from NHS corridor runs to skiing off a mountain with Roger Moore.

Gallery