(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. Casting Actress Sunetra Sarker was cast in the role of Zoe Hanna in 2007, joining the show during the twenty-second series. Zoe was introduced as the emergency department's new consultant. Despite being the daughter of a doctor and having portrayed nurses in three of her previous roles, Sarker struggled with the medical jargon and admitted that she learns the terminology phonetically. Sarker said her father was delighted that she was portraying "a good doctor". Sarker added that Zoe's personality attracted her to the role, stating it was a "relief" to play someone feisty as she played "loveable, sweet girls" in her previous roles. Development Prior to appearing in Casualty, Sarker had played a guest role in sister show Holby City. Sarker describes Zoe as: "strong, cheeky and rebellious." In 2009, during Zoe's fostering storyline, Sarker commented on her character's feelings, saying: "she felt very guilty about Sharice's mother dying and being partially to blame for it all and I think she's tried to do the right thing.". Sarker then continued, claiming that Zoe was "layered in a lot of selfishness, a lot of righteousness, a lot of pigheadedness". Later on, having given up Sharice, Zoe then embarks on a relationship with department head Nick Jordan. Sarker explained that Zoe and Nick have a very interesting dynamic" and that: "You can see that they're very similar people which would make them allies or enemies. [...] Zoe's the first female to meet Jordan's professional standards. She's no pussycat and Jordan knows that. He's got a certain amount of respect for her, as she has for him. Characterising the relationship, Sarker explained: "They've both been single for a very long time through their own choices and neither of them feel any pressure or expectations,