| Zoe Hanna | |
|---|---|
| Casualty character | |
 Sunetra Sarker as Zoe Hanna | |
| First appearance | "Take a Cup of Kindness" 29 December 2007 |
| Last appearance | "Charlie" 16 March 2024 |
| Portrayed by | Sunetra Sarker |
| Duration | 2007–2016, 2018, 2024 |
| Spin-off(s) | "Mrs Walker-To-Be" (2015) |
| In-universe information | |
| Occupation |
|
| Spouse | Max Walker (2015–) |
| Significant other | Nick Jordan Matt Strong |
Zoe Hanna is a fictional character in BBC's medical drama Casualty, portrayed by Sunetra Sarker. She first appeared in the series twenty-two episode "Take a Cup of Kindness", broadcast on 29 December 2007. The character was a consultant in emergency medicine at Holby City Hospital's emergency department. Sarker chose to take a temporary break from the show in 2014 and Zoe departed from the show in the series 28 episode "A Life Less Lived", broadcast on 23 August 2014. She returned in the series 29 episode "Return to Sender", broadcast on 25 October 2014. Sarker later decided to leave the series indefinitely, but producers asked that she did not announce her departure in order to surprise viewers. After over 8 years on-screen, Zoe departed the series in the series 30 episode "Hello, I Must Be Going", broadcast on 7 May 2016. It was confirmed in September 2017 that Zoe would return for a single episode. She appeared in the nineteenth episode of series 32, broadcast on 13 January 2018. Sarker reprised the role again in 2023 for two episodes linked to Charlie Fairhead's (Derek Thompson) exit; they feature in series 38 and aired on the 9th and 16th of March 2024.
Zoe was described as a "maverick rebel-with-a-cause" and a "good doctor" who "knew what she was talking about" by Sarker. Sarker had portrayed nurses in previous roles who were billed as loveable, sweet girls and preferred playing a feisty character. Zoe enjoys being a doctor and prefers saving lives than working on paperwork, which influenced her decision to step down as clinical lead in 2014. Zoe's personal life is featured frequently in the series and Sarker described Zoe as "kooky" outside of work, but focused upon entering resus.
Zoe's storylines upon her introduction included an affair with married man Sean Anderson (Richard Dillane), being blackmailed for her affair with a fifteen-year-old while unaware of his age and being appointed the emergency department's clinical lead. Zoe later resigned from the post when she began struggling with the demands it involved. In 2008, Zoe became embroiled in helping Abby Evans (Amy Manson), who was being abused and when Abby was killed, Zoe fostered and planned to adopt her daughter Sharice Brooks (Adrianna Bertola). She later began a relationship with her colleague Nick Jordan (Michael French), which dissolved when she lied about being pregnant with his child. They continued a friendship and when Nick refused surgery for a brain tumour, Zoe forged his signature.
A long-running storyline for Zoe was her discovery that she was infertile, something which affected her relationship with Matt Strong (Raymond Coulthard). Zoe developed close friendships with Dylan Keogh (William Beck) and Tess Bateman (Suzanne Packer) during her time in the ED. Zoe was appointed acting clinical lead in 2012, a role which she began permanently in early 2013. She clashed with her deputy Connie Beauchamp (Amanda Mealing) over her management of the emergency department and passed over the role to her in mid-2014. Show producers created a May–December romance for Zoe in early 2014 with porter Max Walker (Jamie Davis). The relationship was well-received by viewers and was labelled "Zax" by fans. They married in 2015 which was followed by an explosive wedding reception that endangered various lives.