As we settle in for a chat with Olly Rix, there’s an unmistakable sense of focus exuding from the actor. The Call The Midwife favourite has spent the past nine months leading a double life; training with ex-special forces and mastering the frenetic rhythm of a new role, all while keeping it hush-hush.

With his debut as the “charming but complicated” Clinical Lead Flynn Byron in BBC’s beloved Casualty, Olly, at 40, seems ready to breathe a sigh of relief. “For the last almost nine months I’ve just been on the hospital floor all day, every day, trying to get to grips with medical terms and medical procedures, pretending to be a doctor,” he confesses, clearly relieved to finally open up about his character.

He continues, “There’s been such a long lead that I just sort of sat in witness protection and got on with the job. I’ve only recently been able to start talking about it and it’s been almost off because I’ve sat on it for so long, it’s been kind of weirdly isolated and private, but ultimately you don’t do this job for yourself, you fo it for an audience and for a show, so I’m really excited to finally see it on screen.”

Olly made a splash as the upper-crust Matthew Aylward in Call The Midwife’s tenth series, where he swiftly became a widower and single father. His character tied the knot with Trixie Franklin but later faced financial ruin and uprooted to New York for a fresh start.Matthew epitomised the era, a stark contrast to Flynn, who Casualty chiefs describe as “a man with purpose, and a fierce resolve to make a difference”.

He steps into Casualty’s latest 12-part special, Internal Affairs, straight off a stint with the military and immediately begins shaking things up on the hospital ward. Olly, whose impressive theatrical credentials include roles in Agatha Raisin and Our Girl, has dived deep into research for the role—something that could clarify his intense approach.

Olly reveals that his mindset and chiselled body shape are thanks to rigorous training he has undergone over the past nine months with a unique group called Andarta Health And Performance. To the joy of his fans on social media, this regime has not only crafted a physique befitting Flynn, but also honed his mental fortitude.

Olly has taken his preparation for an upcoming role to the next level, immersing himself in intense training with Dark Prism, a London-based group led by ex-Special Operatives. They offer realistic tactical experiences like “Blackout”, Off-Grid raids, and solo missions, all under the guidance of a former Combat Frogman, a military diver expert in underwater operations, who’s dedicated to pushing participants to their limits.

Going full method-actor for his new gig, Olly shared: “I spent a lot of time with ex and current special forces operators, and I’ve done some weapons training and a lot of physical training, but most importantly, spent a lot of time asking them about their world and where they come from, and what’s it like to adapt to civilian life,” he reveals.

He delved deep into understanding the psyche of these elite soldiers, saying: “How do they compartmentalise their life? They might have a wife and kids, and then go off around the world doing the things they do. I think it takes a very specific and very interesting type of person. They’re not all the same, of course, but I looked for the commonalities, and it’s being able to compartmentalise, being extremely exacting and demanding with yourself and other people around you, so sometimes being very short and curt, expecting results and asking for action.

” The actor opened up about diving into his latest role, delving into the concept of masculinity and what is often labelled as ‘toxic.’ On embracing the character of Flynn, he reflected: “It’s not a delicate world, and I wanted to take a sense of that into the role. Some people might call that toxic, I personally wouldn’t, but it depends how thick your skin is and how formidable you are.

” The subject of toxic masculinity fascinates him, further heightening the allure of his new character following three years as the more wholesome Matthew.Discussing the complexity of his character, he added: “First and foremost, I was interested in a very fleshed-out three-dimensional complex human being, which I think Flynn absolutely is,” asserting his desire to explore the multifaceted nature of gender without necessarily wading into a deeper socio-political debate.

“I think also, without wanting to make a broader or more serious point about gender politics, I think it’s interesting to see a production lean into what it is to be a man. “He continued to express interest in the dichotomy within society’s perception of masculine traits, saying: “Perhaps, because he comes from the military background that he comes from but he’s also a husband and father, there’s an aspect of what I think is often unfairly termed toxic masculinity around this guy.

And I’m interested in why in other contexts it’s celebrated, or maybe not celebrated, but certainly needed. You need rough, tough Special Forces soldiers, whether you like it or not, whether you find it distasteful and you find it affronting somehow. I think that’s very interesting. That’s a world I’m very interested in.

“push participants beyond their limits”The really exciting thing is Casualty isn’t a drama about the military, it’s a drama about the medical profession. But to take somebody from such a niche and specific context and then put them in a context where a certain type of masculinity might very well be inappropriate or be affronting, it’s really interesting watching how or if he can adapt and change.

“The official blurb for Internal Affairs paints Flynn as someone who must navigate the complexities of reforming a system burdened by red tape while dealing with his own inner demons and a deceit that could be his downfall – which likely sheds light on Olly’s methodical approach to his role. He also notes the stark contrast in tempo compared to his stint on Call the Midwife, describing the new pace as “fast and frenetic”, brimming with high-stakes scenarios and constant battles against overwhelming odds.”

When the ER is being overrun, as I suppose is probably true in real-life NHS situations, you’re understaffed and you’re just struggling to fight the tide a bit. That’s often reflected in the actual filming days, in the way we film and the way we work.

” In pursuit of his craft, former Oxford scholar Olly relocated from London to Cardiff, positioning himself near the BBC’s Roath Lock Studios where much of the series is shot. Despite his busy schedule on set, he’s been lucky to have regular visits from friends and family, which offer a welcome respite from his rigorous training. He reflects, “Work is such a privilege and so much fun, and it can be profoundly pivotal and moving and revelatory, but it’s still just work. It’s not going to hold you at the end, so I know that friends and family are everything.

“Olly’s life also includes his cherished one year old cocker spaniel, Nellie. While he’s quite private about his personal life (and deftly avoids any romance questions), his face lights up when talking about his furry friend. He shares that Nellie arrived during a tough period and, as dogs often do, helped him through it.

He fondly recounts, “Whilst I was doing all this training and all this prep, it meant I also had this lovely four-month window of taking her out on her first walks, giving her her first baths,” with a smile. “It was a lovely mix of being able to spend a lot of time with her and raise a little pup and have time to think about the job and the work at the same time. You asked me about what I do to relax? Just an hour’s dog walk is enough for me.”