In the world of Casualty, few relationships have been as complicated and fraught with emotion as the one between Jodie Whyte and her estranged father, Max Cristie. Max’s departure in March 2024 left many fans wondering if there could ever be a reconciliation between the two. While Jodie has been navigating her own turbulent journey, which includes the challenges of her demanding nursing career and the grief surrounding her mother’s death, the question of whether Max will return to her life remains unanswered.

Anna Chell, who plays Jodie Whyte, recently spoke with Inside Soap about her character’s growth and the possibility of Max’s return. While she admits that Jodie’s journey is far from easy, she’s found immense joy in exploring the emotional range of her character. “Two and a half years have gone by so quickly!” she smiles. “I walk into work every day and I love it. It still feels new because every storyline is different.”

Jodie’s tumultuous relationship with Max has been a key focus of her storyline. From giving him her kidney to confronting her troubled past, Jodie has been forced to grapple with difficult emotions, especially when it comes to Max’s abrupt departure. In Casualty’s boxset Public Property, the audience witnessed Jodie’s journey of self-discovery as she made mistakes that put others at risk, notably Dylan Keogh. Despite the initial backlash, viewers came around to Jodie’s character arc, demonstrating that they are invested in her development.

As things stand, Jodie hasn’t heard from Max since his departure. “I think Max is still going in South Sudan, so who knows when he’s going to come back?” Anna muses. “You’d think he’d want to come back and see his daughter, wouldn’t you?”

Jodie’s grief over Max’s absence was a central theme in Public Property, where she struggled not only with who she was but also with the unresolved issues from her past with her father. Anna hints at the possibility of a future reunion, suggesting that maybe, just maybe, Jodie will reach out to Max in the future when she’s older and more ready to understand why he left.

While fans hope for a reunion, Anna hints that it may not be in the immediate future, leaving the door open for more emotional developments in Jodie’s life. She said, “Maybe one day when she’s older, she might contact him to ask these questions about why he left—but not yet…”

Will Max ever return to the ED to make amends with Jodie? Only time will tell, but for now, Jodie’s story continues to unfold, and fans are eagerly watching her journey of healing and self-discovery.

Casualty airs on Saturday nights on BBC One, with episodes streaming first on BBC iPlayer at 6am the day of transmission. Could Max Cristie’s return be just a matter of time? Fans can only hope.

Will Jodie confront her father about his past actions?