Max Cristie is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Casualty, portrayed by actor Nigel Harman. He first appears in the thirty-seventh series episode "Crash Landing", first broadcast on 18 February 2023.

In September 2022, it was reported that actor Nigel Harman had signed a one-year contract to play "loveable rogue" Max and producers hoped that his casting would improve the show's ratings.^[1] Harman had began filming at the time of the report.^[2] The character and Harman's casting details were officially confirmed by the show's publicity team on 7 February 2023.^[3] Harman expressed his gratitude towards being cast in the show and spoke of friends who had positive experiences of working on Casualty.^[3] Jon Sen, the show's executive producer, was excited about Harman's casting, explaining that they were seeking an actor with "craft, charm and charisma".^[3] He opined that Harman's portrayal of Max was "creating an iconic character".^[3] The show's social media team released a short promotional video of Harman on-set in Max's costume to promote his casting.^[4]

The character of Max was conceived with Harman in mind to portray him,^[3] which he was pleased with. Harman lives in London, so he had to discuss with his family and agent about accepting the role, since the show is filmed at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff.^[5] One reason that Harman accepted the role was that appearing in a medical drama was on his acting wish list. He told Elaine Reilly, writing for TVTimes, that being in a medical drama is "a specific skill set to pull off as an actor".^[5] He was also drawn to the role due to the show's extensive history,^[5] and being part of a new era of the show.^[6] Harman enjoyed learning the medical terminology involved in the role and likened it to learning a foreign language. He found the advice of the show's medical advisors invaluable.^[7] The actor found it easier to use the terminology with the more practice he had.^[5] To prepare for the role, Harman spoke with one of the show's research assistants, who was a doctor and clinical lead. He felt that it supported him to understand the "emotional side of being a leader in the NHS".^[5] Additionally, he spoke with a friend who is in a nurse in an intensive care unit (ICU) to provide him with alternative viewpoints of medicine.^[5]

Max is billed as a charismatic, excellent clinical lead and "a lovable rogue who lives by his own rules".^[3] He is quick-witted and charming, meaning patients feel confident opening up to him.^[8] Harman called his character a "very talented" doctor who consistently puts his patients and staff first, even if it means bending the rules. He added that Max is "not afraid to step on people's toes or to say what he thinks".^[7] Max is direct and does not "mince his words".^[9] He is confident and abides by his strong values, which can sometimes result in "a few scrapes".^[5] As a doctor, Harman explained that Max is a talented trauma surgeon who "practices medicine on instinct".^[5] He added that Max always prioritises saving a life and will worry about any consequences to his methods later.^[5] The show's publicity office described him as "the doctor everyone wants to be treated by".^[3] Max can be reckless and will put himself in danger to save others. Harman explained that Max "leads with his heart and not always his head".^[3] He thought this made Max "slightly dangerous and exciting to be around".^[5] The actor added that Max likes to be in control of every situation in his life.^[4] He summarised the character as "an enigma".^[5]

The character's backstory states that he comes from a working class background and attended medical school with Dylan Keogh (William Beck), with whom he has unresolved tension.^[3][9] At university, Max and Dylan were both high achievers and competed for top of their classes. Harman called them "chalk and cheese" as one leads with their head and the other with their heart.^[6] He explained that Max and Dylan "rub each other up the wrong way" and Max enjoys antagonising Dylan in a childish manner.^[7] He noted that "as long as Dylan reacts the way he does, Max is going to take the mickey".^[9] The actor acknowledged that professionally, there was a deep-rooted mutual respect and they could work "brilliantly together in a high-pressure environment".^[5] In an interview on The One Show, Harman revealed that Max and Dylan have a shared trauma experience from university which developed their feud.^[4] This was explored in later episodes as it emerges that their friend Lucy killed herself after being abused by their professor, which Dylan blames himself for.^[10] After medical school, Max became a paediatrician, followed by a general surgeon, before being promoted to clinical lead.^[5] Harman felt that Max has "a natural affinity" with vulnerable people and thought it could be linked to something in his own backstory.^[5]

Max is introduced in the thirty-seventh series episode "Crash Landing", first broadcast on 18 February 2023.^[8] His early scenes were previewed in a promotional trailer released on 8 February 2023.^[11] Reilly (What to Watch) thought the trailer demonstrated how Max will have "a BIG impact on the wards".^[12] Writers created a dramatic entrance for the character as he becomes involved in a train crash while travelling to a locum shift at another hospital. Despite suffering a severe head wound, Max throws himself into treating the crash victims. He treats Fi Lybeck (Amelia Baldock), a young girl experiencing breathing difficulties, so he performs an emergency tracheotomy while waiting for paramedics.^[7] Max bonds with paramedic Iain Dean (Michael Stevenson) at the crash site over their shared desire to get on with saving patients. Harman commented, "They seem to get on straight off the bat. There's no airs and graces."^[9] Max accompanies the girl to Holby City Hospital's emergency department (ED) and realises they are unstaffed. Harman explained that "there doesn't appear to be any leadership" at the department, so he begins to help out.^[7] Max discovers that Fi is being groomed by her football coach, Joe Hutchin (Ian Weichardt), and threatens him.^[13] A show spokesperson called the story "heartbreaking" and hoped to raise awareness through tackling a taboo subject.^[14] Max impresses management consultant Marcus Fidel (Adam Sina) who offers him the position of the ED's clinical lead.^[9]

In April 2023, Jodie Whyte (Anna Chell) was introduced as one of four new student nurses. In her first episode, it is revealed that Jodie is Max's estranged daughter.^[15] Producers withheld details of their connection prior to broadcast to create a surprise for viewers. Chell revealed that it would be "a huge shock for Jodie and Max" to see each other again.^[16] Harman added that Jodie's introduction would leave Max "completely wrong footed and out of his depth".^[4]

Reilly, writing for What to Watch, called Max a "medical maverick" and a "daring doctor", and thought that his introduction would "[set] hearts racing".^[4] She labelled his introduction "action-packed".^[5] The critic was interested by Max and Dylan's history and expressed interest in an episode flash-backing to their university days.^[17] On Max's arrival, Tyler (Inside Soap) opined, "Newcomer Max instantly feels like a breath of fresh air on the ward".^[7] Sue Haasler, a Metro critic, believed that Max would "fit in perfectly" and described him as "one of those doctors that we can file under 'maverick'".^[13] On the character's first episode, David Brown of the Radio Times wrote, "The arrival of a heroic new doctor is usually accompanied by a large-scale crisis, and Max Cristie certainly doesn't break with that tradition."^[18]

• Max Cristie at BBC Online

Category:Casualty (TV series) characters Category:Television characters introduced in 2023 Category:British male characters in soap operas Category:Fictional medical doctors in soap operas