Dublin-born Oscar winner Brenda Fricker has spoken candidly about her health and personal struggles.

The belovedBBC institution Casualty has returned to screens, with the long-running series holding the distinguished title of the world’s longest-running primetime medical drama.

First airing in 1986, the show launched with an original cast of 10 principal characters, among them consultant Ewart Plimmer (played by Bernard Gallagher) and senior house officer Baz Samuels (Julia Watson).

Dublin-born actress Brenda Fricker was also part of that founding ensemble, portraying state-enrolled nurse Megan Roach across 65 episodes. She made her exit from the show in 1990, citing that her character had “lost” her “wonderful sense of humour”.

Fricker made one final return as Megan in August 2010, in a poignant storyline in which the character took a lethal cocktail of drugs to end her life after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The 81 year old star has never shied away from discussing her personal struggles, and in 2021 she appeared on the Tommy Tiernan Show, where she opened up about her long battle with severe depression and multiple hospitalisations throughout her life.

She revealed that she had largely stepped back from acting for around 10 years, explaining that she wanted “a rest”.

Reflecting on her mental wellbeing when questioned about the “inside of her head”, she shared: “I went to the doctor and he said I’m going to put you on stronger antidepressants, because I am a bit of a recluse.”

In 2024, she appeared in experimental documentary filmmaker Tadhg O’Sullivan’s debut fiction drama The Swallow. In a solo performance, she portrayed an unnamed elderly woman reflecting on her past.

In February 2026, it was revealed that the actress was to receive the Freedom of the City of Dublin, with her name set to be inscribed on the Roll of Honorary Freedom of Dublin.

According to the Irish Independent, the accolade recognises “a lifetime of artistic contribution and the pride Fricker has brought to the capital and to Ireland”.

Dublin Lord Mayor Ray McAdam said: “Brenda’s Academy Award winning performance in ‘My Left Foot’ was a landmark moment for Irish acting and Irish cinema.

“But what makes her career so special is the body of work that followed, marked by honesty, depth and a rare ability to bring warmth and toughness in the same breath.

“Her performances have helped tell Irish stories and have become part of family life across generations.”

The Oscar-winning actress recently spoke candidly about her health, and in 2025 she delivered a heartbreaking update, telling The Guardian: “I’m having a dreadful death.”

The Home Alone 2 star explained: “I’ve never known tiredness ever in my life. Weary. Will I ever get up again? I’m just dying, every day in pain.”

In a separate interview for Irish radio station RTE1, she told host Brendan O’Connor: “I can’t remember not wanting to die.” Her memoir, She Died Young: A Life in Fragments, chronicles some distressing episodes from her life, including self-harm and battling depression.