NEW ADDITIONS TO THE CAST (02/04/08)

From The Sun:

Former Casualty star Claire Goose has landed a role in ITV police drama The Bill.

The 33-year-old actress will play Sergeant Rachel Watson, one of four new recruits at Sun Hill.

Rachel is described as a born leader who is respected by her colleagues and bosses at the station.

An insider said: “Rachel may look like a head girl but she has a mischievous side – and Sun Hill will feel the full force of her arrival.”

She will be joined by new PCs Leon Taylor (Dominic Power) Millie Brown (Clare Foster) and Arun Ghir (Abhin Galeya).

Two of these characters have been drafted in to replace outgoing PC Reg Hollis (Jeff Stewart) and PC Emma Keane (Melanie Gutteridge). Keane is killed by a bomb blast that rocks Sun Hill in mid-April.

Producer Tim Key said: "These are exciting times for The Bill and our new arrivals will add a dynamic and intriguing energy to our already fantastic cast.

"Our new characters are united in their desire for justice and results - but their personalities couldn't be more different."

He added: "Tensions will flare, sparks will fly, doors will be kicked in and the streets of Sun Hill won't know what's hit them!"

Goose is best known for playing Tina Seabrook in long-running medical drama Casualty and Detective Sergeant Amelia 'Mel' Silver in Waking The Dead.

She will first appear on-screen in her new role from July.