Casualty star Olly Rix has revealed he is set to marry his co-star and partner, Anna Chell, after a romantic proposal. The actor, best known for playing Clinical Lead Flynn Byron in the BBC medical drama, shared the joyful news with his followers on Instagram earlier today, the 19th of January 2026.
Social Media Announcement and Co-Star Reactions
Olly Rix, who is 40, marked the occasion by posting a loved-up picture of the couple together. In the caption, he simply used a ring and a love heart emoji to confirm their engagement to his fans. His fiancée, 29-year-old Anna Chell, plays the role of Jodie Whyte in the long-running hospital series.
The couple first went public with their relationship in September of last year, when Olly posted several affectionate snaps on his Instagram profile. The latest update was swiftly met with an outpouring of love from their colleagues on the Casualty set.
Sammy T Dobson, who portrays Nicole Piper, exclaimed: ‘ARGHHHH!!!! THIS IS SO, SO LUSH!!! Congratulations!!!’. Melanie Hill, the actress behind Siobhan McKenzie, wrote a sweet message saying: ‘So made up for the pair of you lovebirds!!’. Newcomer Aron Julius, who joined the show as Matty, also added his congratulations with a cheerful: ‘Congratulations! YEAH BUDDY!’.
From Midwife to Medical Drama
Prior to his current role in Casualty, Olly Rix was a familiar face to period drama fans for his portrayal of Matthew Aylward in the beloved BBC One series Call the Midwife. His transition from the 1960s Poplar to the modern-day emergency department has cemented his status as a versatile and popular television actor.
A Passion for Canine Welfare
Outside of his acting career, Olly is a devoted advocate for dog welfare. Last year, he visited a rehoming centre operated by The Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity which cares for over 15,000 animals annually.
Speaking about his visit in July, Olly expressed his admiration for the charity's work. ‘They do so much work and it’s so variable. There’s such a beautiful energy there,’ he said. ‘The people involved are just so humbling to be around. They are so selfless and so focused on all the dogs there.’
He revealed a particularly touching moment from the day: ‘They even named a dog after me! He was about a year old, a chocolate Labrador, and they called him Olly, which was just so lovely. I got to meet him and play with him; it was a really special time.’
Olly praised the charity's unwavering commitment, noting that even dogs from the most horrendous circumstances receive dedicated care and rehabilitation. ‘They just don’t give up,’ he emphasised, describing the organisation's atmosphere as fundamentally uplifting.
The actor's engagement news adds a bright personal milestone to a year that has already seen him balance a high-profile acting role with his passionate support for animal welfare causes.
