"Waste of Space" is the 545th episode of Casualty and the third episode of the 21st series. It was preceded by "Different Worlds - Part Two" and followed by "Heads Together". This episode marks the first appearance of paramedic Kathleen "Dixie" Dixon portrayed by Jane Hazlegrove, who left the show in the 2016 episode "The Good Life" after over 9 years on the show. It also features the first appearance of paramedic Cynthia "Cyd" Pyke, portrayed by Joanne King, who remained on the show for just under a year.