Catherine Russell admits she "might pop back" to \'Holby City\' at some point after confirming she is departing the show.
The 54-year-old star has finished filming on the BBC medical drama after seven years of playing Serena Campbell, but revealed her character will be on screen until mid-January.
In a video shared on Twitter, she said: "The truth is I have left \'Holby City\', but Serena Campbell will be on your screens still until mid-January, because we film four months in advance.
"Thank you very much for all the support over the years, and for just being rather lovely."
But Catherine appeared to hint her character won\'t be killed off from the show.
She tweeted: "And I\'ll miss you. It\'s been a hoot! Just time for me to pretend to be someone else I think. But hey, you never know, Ms Campbell might pop back to AAU sometime in the future. Love you lots. XXX (sic)"
A tweet on the official \'Holby\' account paid tribute to Catherine for her Serena stint.
It read: "We\'re raising a bucket of Shiraz to the glory that is Ms Campbell aka
@CatherineRusse2
who has handed in her notice to leave #HolbyCity early next year. We\'ll miss you both (sic)"
Simon Harper, executive producer of \'Casualty\' and \'Holby City\', said: "Yes it\'s true, the brilliant Catherine Russell is leaving the show. She\'s truly one of the \'Holby\' greats, her mercurial portrayal of the unique, drily witty and passionate Serena literally lighting up the screen.
"We are all very sad to say goodbye to her - but it\'s no surprise such a talented actor should want to go and play other roles again after seven outstanding years.
"Catherine, we wish you all the best, while raising a bucket of shiraz to the glory that is Ms Campbell - and I just can\'t thank you enough."
One of Catherine\'s biggest storylines saw Serena develop a relationship with trauma surgeon Bernie Wolfe (Jemma Redgrave), but the character was tragically killed off, off screen, earlier this year.
