It was the kind of exit that Casualty fans don’t easily forget — raw, emotional, and unexpectedly final. When Nigel Harman departed from his role as Dr. Max Cristie in March 2024, it left a deep void in the Holby ED and in the hearts of viewers who had grown attached to the complex, brooding doctor and his unfolding relationship with long-lost daughter Jodie Whyte.

But now, in a quiet but powerful interview, actress Anna Chell, who plays Jodie, has given fans a reason to hope — suggesting that the door may not be fully closed on Max Cristie just yet.

“Oh, it’d be great to explore,” Anna said when asked about the possibility of Nigel returning. Her tone wasn’t definitive — it was reflective, laced with genuine fondness for her former co-star and curiosity about the story left hanging in midair.

“I loved working with Nigel. We had a really great time,” she admitted. “And I think I sort of thought about where storylines can go, and where your character will go in the future. I definitely thought, ‘I wonder if this moment for Jodie was the one they would bring Nigel back.’ You just don’t know.”

It’s the “you just don’t know” that hangs in the air like a lifeline.

Fans of Casualty remember how emotionally loaded Max and Jodie’s scenes were. What started as a slow, fragile introduction between two strangers quickly deepened into one of the most emotionally rich relationships the show had seen in years. A daughter navigating abandonment. A father burdened by guilt and secrecy. Their dynamic was electric, often painful, but always real.

Anna Chell says she still receives messages from fans moved by their story. “It’s really nice to watch a father and daughter who actually never knew each other develop their relationship — and to watch them navigate that.”

It’s no surprise the storyline hit home. Max and Jodie’s late-in-life connection resonated with viewers dealing with fractured families, missed chances, and the weight of history. When Max left, it wasn’t just a character exit. It was an emotional rupture — one that left fans grieving the potential of what could have been.

And yet, the story doesn’t feel finished.

With Casualty undergoing creative shifts and fan-favorite characters making surprise returns, the possibility of Max Cristie stepping back into Holby ED isn’t out of the question. The writers have laid a deep foundation for future arcs: Jodie’s lingering trauma, her growing strength, and a complex emotional roadmap still waiting to be followed.

Nigel Harman’s portrayal of Max brought layers to the character — a doctor hardened by life, but cracked open by the daughter he never expected to meet. His chemistry with Anna Chell was subtle but powerful. If he returns, fans won’t want a simple cameo. They’ll want resolution. They’ll want redemption.

For now, there’s no official word. But Anna’s gentle optimism — and her open heart — have reignited the spark. And in the world of Casualty, that’s often how reunions begin.

Would you want to see Max Cristie return to Holby — and is Jodie ready for the father who left her behind?