lacking a young, male nurse and decided to cast Mead. Mead explained that they were looking for a nurse who "had a big heart and cares for his patients with a unique insight". Show writer Matthew Barry said that having Mead in mind helped the writing team write for Lofty. The show's executive producer Oliver Kent asked Mead's agent if Mead would read for the role and when his agent told him the news, Mead believed he was "joking". At the audition, Mead read for the show's producer and casting directors. He believed that he had delivered what they wanted, but was not sure he was "in the frame" for the character. He was originally signed to the serial for a year and expressed a possibility in renewing his contract. Mead originally auditioned for the role of Kieron Fletcher in 2010, but was told he did not have enough acting experience. He later made an appearance on the show as patient Harry Timms in the series twenty-six episode "Starting Out". Mead enjoyed the appearance and described Lofty as "a completely different challenge" in comparison. After his guest appearance on the show, he received a handwritten letter from Kent, who said that he would remember his performance for any future roles. Mead felt honoured to be invited back to the show. In the guest appearance, Mead filmed scenes with Jane Hazlegrove, who plays paramedic Kathleen "Dixie" Dixon, and expressed his delight to filming again with Hazlegrove. Due to the on-set team of professional medical staff, Mead did not require any medical training for the role. Nurses would regularly help him with medical terminology and procedures to add realism to the scenes. He added that he found learning the terminology enjoyable and formed an interest in the show's prosthetic department. He described the show's twelve hours a day routine as "very intense". Casualty is Mead's first regular television role after ten years in musical theatre and he described it as "a new phase" in his career. Mead struggled to make the transition from musical theatre to television and said it was "a whole new career" for him. In addition to his work in musical theatre, Mead is a singer and producers allowed him to perform in concerts while contracted to the show. The character and Mead's casting were publicised on 19 September 2013. On his casting, Mead said, "I'm thrilled to be