Doctors star announces TV return as they join hit crime drama – just a week on from BBC shows final ever episode
A STAR of Doctors has confirmed that she has landed a brand new TV gig just one week on from the show’s brutal axing.
Elisabeth Dermot Walsh became known for her long-running role of Zara Carmichael in the daytime soap having appeared for a total of 15 years.
The actress first joined the cast in 2009 and has appeared regularly ever since, bar two absences for her maternity leave.
Fans were left sobbing as the programme aired its final ever episode last week after the BBC pulled the plug on the show for good.
But in good news for Elisabeth, she has been quick to confirm that she has already managed to land herself a role in the fourth series of The Sister Boniface Mysteries.
Writing on X, Elisabeth said “For those with a @BBCDoctors shaped hole in your schedule, I bring tidings of comfort. You can catch up with many of my fellow players in new projects… & so far, my latest adventure is a delicious appearance in #TheSisterBonifaceMysteries Season 4 coming out in 2025. There is #LifeAfterLetherbridge!”
Her fans were quick to express their delight at the news as they heaped praise on the star for soldiering on after the bitter Doctors axe.
One fan said: “Great can’t wait for the new season.”
Another added: “You have no idea how excited I am for this! Besides Doctors, Father Brown and The Sister Boniface universe are probably my favourite shows so this is truly worlds colliding for me.”
A third delightedly exclaimed: “Yayyyyyyyyyy can’t wait for the next season 4 next year yayyyyyyyyy.”
Before a fourth penned: “I just know you will be fabulous in this .. can’t wait to see it.”
The Sister Boniface Mysteries first began airing on the US streaming service BritBox in 2022 before being broadcast on UKTV Drama later in the year.
The show is also available to be streamed on BBC iPlayer.
It is understood that the fourth series recorded earlier this year with filming on the show commencing in July 2024.
Details regarding its release, including if it will premiere in the US or the UK first, are currently under-wraps.
Last week’s Doctors finale saw Elisabeth’s character Zara at the forefront as she lead the revolt to fire Graham from the surgery, making it a partnership in the process.
To conclude the episode, a montage of all the medics treating patients played out with a goodbye to The Mill and viewers were left in tears.
The long-running BBC soap was axed after 23 years with the corporation citing budget cuts as a reason leaving cast and crew devastated.
The move has bene widely panned with industry leaders pointing out the show was a training hub and a major entry point into TV for working class talent.
A source said at the time: “Doctors has ticked along fairly quietly around the 1.3million viewers mark for years now without any word of cancellation, but the news will still come as a shock.”
Crime dramas on ITVX
Crime drama buffs have a wide selection of choices on ITVX - here is a selection of some of the programmes available to binge.
- Professor T: Based on a Belgian TV series of the same name, former Death in Paradise lead Ben Miller plays the title character. Professor Jasper Tempest is a criminologist with OCD who helps the police solve crimes. The cast also includes Emma Naomi, Barney White and Andy Gathergood.
- The Beast Must Die: This series follows a mother’s grief for her son, who was killed in an accident. Nicholas Blake’s novel of the same name has been adapted for the programme. Stars include Cush Jumbo, Jared Harris, Billy Howle and Geraldine James.
- Red Eye: Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp star in this six-part thriller, which mostly takes place during an all-night flight between London and Beijing. With dead bodies piling up and a mystery to unravel, the heroes must work fast to get to the truth.
- The Twelve: This Australian drama originally aired as a miniseries in 2022, with the episodes dropping in the UK in February 2023. Four months later, the show was renewed for a second season. Jurassic Park star Sam Neill stars in the leading role of barrister Brett Colby.
- Manhunt: Martin Clunes stars in this drama based on true murder investigations. Series one focused on the death of Amélie Delagrange, which took place in 2004, while the second depicted the search for serial rapist Delroy Grant.