Casualty's Jacob Masters star details real-life tragedy he drew from for current storyline

Casualty's Jacob Masters, played by Charles Venn has had a huge change of circumstances in recent times as he became guardian for his grandchild after his son Blake abandoned the baby. While he has thrown himself into caring for the infant, he hasn't yet given up on his son and fans will see him searching for his wayward offspring in the coming weeks on the long-running BBC medical drama.

The trailer for the current storyline Storm Damage indicates that the paramedic will go in search of Blake, whom he only met when he was a teenager after his mother kept his existence secret, and face heartaches along the way. He is shown crying on friend and colleague Jan Jenning's (Di Botcher) shoulder and in another scene he ominously pulls back a sheet in a morgue.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk Charles admitted he could relate to the way Jacob is feeling and his desire to find Blake and fix things as he himself felt the same way after a family tragedy. The actor explained that he relates the fact Jacob is blaming himself for Blake's behaviour to how he felt following the death of his younger sister.

"There is an element of definitely contrition on Jacob's part," he said speaking over Zoom. "He feels he could have done more, he could have done better.

"I know that feeling myself in a way. I remember when my sister passed, and I remember feeling in my heart, I wish I could have done more," he says emotionally. Charles' younger sister died in June 2022 and the actor announced the news with a heartfelt tribute on his Instagram.

"But her passing was because it was just her time, and it was just purely, you know, her body was just breaking down. And so it was never my fault, but there was this sense of if I had done such and such, or could I have done such and such," he intimated.

"With Jacob and Blake, it wasn't that wasn't his fault the fact that he only met his son when he was in his teens.

"That was because Elle chose to keep it quiet. She kept him away from him by not saying anything because she felt like she didn't want to affect or possibly ruin his life and his medical ambitions and things of that nature.

"But still, it's that same thing. Referencing my sister, you feel as though [you could have done more].

"I guess any, any parent, feels as though they fail their child, if their child falls into, descends into drug addiction, or any sort of regressive practice.

"I know I would feel that way, even if it wasn't my fault, even if I provided all of the necessary amenities and privileges.

"I would still feel like: 'Where did I go wrong?'" he confessed.

Casualty returns to BBC One on Saturday July 13. Previous episodes are available to view on BBC iPlayer.