List of Doctors characters (2009)

Doctors is a British medical soap opera which began broadcasting on BBC One on 26 March 2000.[1] Set in the fictional West Midlands town of Letherbridge, the soap follows the lives of the staff and patients of the Mill Health Centre, a fictional NHS doctor's surgery, as well as its sister surgery located at a nearby university campus. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in Doctors in 2009, by order of first appearance. All characters are introduced by the programme's executive producer, Will Trotter. Lisa Torres (Michelle Lukes) is introduced in January, with Karen Hollins (Jan Pearson) introduced in February as a receptionist. Simon Bond (David Sturzaker) debuts in May, while Zara Carmichael (Elisabeth Dermot Walsh) begins appearing in June. A month later, Rob Hollins (Chris Walker) is introduced as the husband of Karen, followed by their children, Imogen (Charlie Clemmow) and Jack (Nicholas Woodman). In August, Lynette Driver (Elizabeth Rider) begins appearing, and is followed by married couple Sue (Tessa Peake-Jones), Howard Bond (Neil McCaul). Scott Nielson (Sam Heughan) and Brian Miles (David Hounslow) arrive later in the year.

Lisa Torres

Lisa Torres
Doctors character
Portrayed by	Michelle Lukes (2009–2011) Leila Birch (2018)
Duration	2009–2011, 2018
First appearance	"Tears of a Clown" 28 January 2009
Last appearance	"Loss" 18 December 2018
Introduced by	Will Trotter
Classification	Past; recurring
Profile
Occupation	Fitness instructor
Home	Nottingham
Family Daughters Izzie Torres

Lisa Torres, portrayed by Michelle Lukes, first appeared on 28 January 2009, and made her last appearance on 28 March 2011. Lisa later returned in November 2018, with the role having been recast to Leila Birch.

Lisa is introduced as the mother of Izzie Torres (Jasmin and Nicole Parkinson), and the partner of Daniel Granger (Michael Chambers). Having previously abandoned Izzie at the reception of The Mill, Lisa turns up on Daniel's doorstep and informs him that she has had a change of heart. Daniel is devastated and although he tries to fight her on this, they eventually agree to share custody of their daughter but the arrangement comes to an end when Daniel's ex-girlfriend Ruth Pearce (Selina Chilton) tells Lisa about Daniel's past. Over the course of the next few years, Lisa and Daniel's rocky relationship continues to play out. They reconcile after Izzie is kidnapped, but separate once again following Daniel's begins an affair with Zara Carmichael (Elisabeth Dermot Walsh). Lisa moves to Nottingham with Izzie.

After Lisa and Izzie (now Bethan Moore) have an offscreen argument, Izzie returns to Letherbridge to live with Daniel and Zara. When Izzie is slapped by Zara, she phones Lisa, and Lisa (now Leila Birch), returns to take Izzie back to Nottingham.

Karen Hollins

Karen Hollins (also Teale), portrayed by Jan Pearson, is introduced as a receptionist at The Mill on 23 February 2009. Karen was created by series producer Peter Eryl Lloyd as a replacement for former receptionist Vivien March (Anita Carey). Karen is the wife of Letherbridge police Sergeant Rob (Chris Walker), and the mother of Imogen (Charlie Clemmow) and Jack (Nicolas Woodman). Her storylines in the programme have included becoming a healthcare assistant, having an abortion, the breakdown and reconciliation of her marriage, becoming a foster parent and having amnesia after being involved a car accident. Since her arrival, Pearson has been praised at the 2010, 2011 and 2012 British Soap Awards. Along with co-star Chris Walker who plays her on-screen husband Rob, Pearson won the award for Best On-screen Partnership.[2] In 2011, she was nominated for Best Storyline and Best Single Episode for her portrayal of Karen going through her pregnancy and later abortion storyline.[3] Furthermore, Pearson has been nominated for Best Comedy Performance at the 2012 British Soap Awards.[4]

Cherry Clay

Cherry Clay
Doctors character
Portrayed by	Sophie Abelson
Duration	2009–2012
First appearance	"The Final Straw" 6 April 2009
Last appearance	"The Pain and the Itch" 19 October 2012
Introduced by	Will Trotter
Classification	Past; regular
Profile
Occupation	Practice nurse
Family Father Malcolm Malone Mother Paula Malone Husband Jimmi Clay (2012–; separated) Grandmothers Daisy Malone Uncles Brian Harmon Aunts Rettie Harmon

Cherry Clay (also Malone), portrayed by Sophie Abelson, first appeared on 6 April 2009, and made her last appearance on 19 October 2012.[5]

When Cherry arrives at The Mill, she turns heads amongst the male staff, specifically Jimmi Clay (Adrian Lewis Morgan) and Daniel Granger (Matthew Chambers). However, she tries to form a relationship with Simon Bond (David Sturzaker), unaware until Zara Carmichael (Elisabeth Dermot Walsh) informed her, that Simon is gay.

Cherry sees Michelle Corrigan (Donnaleigh Bailey) drinking vodka in the surgery, but after talking to Simon, decides to not tell anyone. During the vaccination clinic, Michelle gave her the wrong needle and they sent a man into anaphylactic shock. Michelle blames Cherry, and when Cherry tries to tell Julia Parsons (Diane Keen) the truth, Cherry is suspended. Cherry meets Scott Nielson (Sam Heughan), a drug dealer. She wakes up to find that Scott is lying beside her, dead. She tries to resuscitate him but fails. The police arrive and Cherry is arrested, as the police believe she has something to do with Scott's death. Rob Hollins (Chris Walker) (who is the husband of Cherry's colleague, Karen (Jan Pearson), and the father of her friend, Imogen (Charlie Clemmow)) finds heroin stuffed in a teddy bear in Scott's flat. In August 2012, Cherry was formally released. After spotting Cherry leaving Daniel's house early in the morning, Jimmi jumps to the wrong conclusion that Cherry and Daniel had slept together and is jealous. In 2012, Cherry married Jimmi; they separated in October 2012 after Cherry slept with Daniel, leading Cherry to leave The Mill.

Simon Bond

Simon Bond
Doctors character
Portrayed by	David Sturzaker
Duration	2009–2011
First appearance	"Impact" 13 May 2009
Last appearance	"Smoke and Mirrors" 6 April 2011
Introduced by	Will Trotter
Classification	Past; regular
Profile
Occupation	General practitioner
Home	Letherbridge
Family Father Howard Bond Mother Sue Bond Grandfathers George Hughes Joseph Bond Grandmothers Marion Hughes Dorothy Bond

Dr. Simon Bond, portrayed by David Sturzaker, first appeared on 13 May 2009, and made his last appearance on 6 April 2011.

On 4 June 2009, Dr. Zara Carmichael (Elisabeth Dermot Walsh) arrives at The Mill, and knows Simon is gay, upsetting Cherry Clay (Sophie Abelson) who is interested in Simon. Their friendship is tested when Simon has an affair with married paramedic, Will Duncan (Richard Mylan). Simon and Will develop a relationship, although Will does not tell Simon that he has a wife and family. The relationship ended when Will's wife discovers them together. Simon is subjected to homophobic abuse from former colleague, Charlie Bradfield (Phillip McGough) once he discovers his sexuality, and learns of the affair with Will Duncan. Daniel Granger (Matthew Chambers) attempts to mediate the dispute without success, but the problem is resolved with Charlie's departure.

In December 2010, Simon takes an overdose in the wake of his mishandling of a case involving a two-year-old girl who was abused and subsequently drowned by her mother. He becomes depressed and contemplated suicide in the wake of the incident. Simon is stabbed in the stomach during a house visit when he is attacked by a woman's violent partner during a house visit. He survives, and went on to fully qualify as a GP.

Departure

Sturzaker departed Doctors to take up Shakespearian acting on tour. Series producer Peter Eryl Lloyd spoke of his disappointment that Sturzaker decided to leave the series because of the work taken to develop the character. He added that Sturzaker was an example of great casting.[6]

Zara Carmichael

Dr. Zara Carmichael, portrayed by Elisabeth Dermot Walsh, made her first appearance on 4 June 2009.[7] Zara was introduced as the new general practitioner at The Mill, and remained a regular character until April 2012, when Walsh left to go on maternity leave. She returned for a brief appearance in December 2012, before returning full-time in February 2013. In September 2015, Dermot Walsh left again to go on maternity leave. She returned full-time from March 2016 onwards. Zara has been involved in a number of different storylines including being kidnapped, dealing with early menopause, the birth of her son, her on-off relationship with Daniel Granger (Matthew Chambers), and her feud with stepdaughter Izzie Torres (Bethan Moore). For her portrayal of Zara, Walsh won the award for Best Female Acting Performance at the 2015 RTS Midlands Awards.

Rob Hollins

Rob Hollins, portrayed by Chris Walker, was introduced as a police sergeant at Letherbridge police station on 24 July 2009. Rob is the husband of Karen (Jan Pearson), a receptionist at The Mill, as well as the father of Imogen (Charlie Clemmow) and Jack (Nicolas Woodman). Walker and Pearson were nominated for Best On-Screen Partnership at the British Soap Awards in 2010. In August 2017, Walker was longlisted for Best Daytime Star at the Inside Soap Awards.[8] The nomination did not progress to the viewer-voted shortlist.[9]

Imogen Hollins

Imogen Hollins, portrayed by Charlie Clemmow, made her first appearance on 4 August 2009, and is the daughter of Karen (Jan Pearson) and Rob (Chris Walker), and the sister of Jack (Nicolas Woodman). Since her arrival, Imogen has appeared in storylines that include briefly identifying as a lesbian, being bullied by Lauren Porter (Alexis Peterman) and having a breast cancer scare. She departed Doctors on 24 September 2012, and returned in 2014 for a guest appearance.[10] In 2019, Clemmow made another guest appearance as Imogen, with another guest appearance in June 2020.[11]

Jack Hollins

Jack Hollins, portrayed by Nicolas Woodman, first appeared on 4 August 2009, and left Doctors on 21 September 2012.[10] Jack is the son of Karen (Jan Pearson) and Rob (Chris Walker), and the brother of Imogen (Charlie Clemmow). He returned for brief stints in 2013 and 2014.

Lynette Driver

DCI Lynette Driver, portrayed by Elizabeth Rider, first appeared on 4 August 2009, and made her last appearance on 12 October 2017. Lynette is the boss of Rob Hollins (Chris Walker. She is involved in the Lauren Porter murder case, of which she was in charge. Driver returned for one episode on 10 January 2012.[12] Driver returned on 1 November 2012.[13]

Sue Bond

Sue Bond, portrayed by Tessa Peake-Jones, first appeared on 3 September 2009, and made her final appearance on 12 January 2011. Sue is the wife of Howard Bond (Neil McCaul), and the mother of Simon Bond (David Sturzaker).

Howard Bond

Howard Bond, portrayed by Neil McCaul, first appeared on 3 September 2009, and made his final appearance on 12 January 2011. Howard is the husband of Sue Bond (Tessa Peake-Jones), and the father of Simon Bond (David Sturzaker).

Scott Nielson

Scott Nielson, portrayed by Sam Heughan, first appeared on 30 September 2009, and made his last appearance on 24 November 2009. He is the boyfriend of nurse Cherry Malone (Sophie Abelson), unaware to Cherry was that he was a drug dealer. He died while sleeping next to Cherry.

Brian Miles

PC Brian Miles, portrayed by David Hounslow, first appeared on 9 October 2009, and made frequent appearances until 4 March 2016. Brian is a close friend of Rob Hollins (Chris Walker).[14][15][16]

Other characters

Character	Episode date(s)	Actor	Circumstances
PC Vickie Hilton	3 June 2009 – 6 September 2012[17]	Victoria Shalet	A police officer who works at the station alongside Rob Hollins (Chris Walker). In September 2012, Rob asks her about a case involving a rape.[18]

References

1. Timblick, Simon (17 March 2020). "Doctors spoilers: Happy 20TH ANNIVERSARY, Doctors!". What's on TV. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
2. "EastEnders wins best soap at British Soap Awards". What's on TV. 8 May 2010. Archived from the original on 13 January 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
3. "British Soap Awards 2011: All the Winners and Shortlisted Nominees!". TellyMix. Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
4. "Who's in line for soap awards". Sky News. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
5. Kilkelly, Daniel (5 October 2012). "'Doctors': Sophie Abelson leaves Cherry role". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
6. Lloyd, Peter (13 May 2009). "Doctors: The joy (and pain) of creating characters". BBC Online. (BBC). Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
7. "Ten years of Birmingham's TV soap Doctors - Life & Leisure". Birmingham Post. 2 April 2010. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
8. Harp, Justin (22 August 2017). "Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks all make the Inside Soap Awards longlist". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
9. Kilkelly, Daniel (31 October 2017). "Inside Soap Awards 2017 shortlist revealed – which Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks stars are up for prizes?". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
10. Kilkelly, Daniel (3 September 2012). "'Doctors': Three departures confirmed". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
11. "CHARLIE CLEMMOW returns to the role of Imogen Hollins in BBC series 'Doctors'". Oxford Adams Associates. 29 March 2019. Archived from the original on 22 June 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
12. "Yesterday". Doctors. 10 January 2012. BBC. BBC One. Archived from the original on 27 April 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
13. Kilkelly, Daniel (5 October 2012). "'Doctors' role for 'Strictly', 'Emmerdale' star Lisa Riley". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
14. "A Tangled Web". Doctors. 18 September 2012. BBC. BBC One. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
15. "Doctors - Season 14, Episode 94/221, "Dear Joe"". tvtv. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
16. "An Appropriate Adult". Doctors. 17 October 2012. BBC. BBC One. Archived from the original on 20 November 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
17. "The Devil You Don't". Doctors. 6 September 2012. BBC. BBC One. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
18. "The Devil You Know". Doctors. 5 September 2012. BBC. BBC One. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2021.