Elisabeth Dermot Walsh

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Elisabeth Dermot Walsh
Elisabeth Dermot Walsh 2023.jpg
Walsh in 2023
Born (1974-09-15) 15 September 1974 (age 51)
Merton, London, England
Alma mater Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Years active1998–present
PartnerDylan Charles
Children2
Father Dermot Walsh

Elisabeth Dermot Walsh (born 15 September 1974) is an English actress. After establishing a career in television and stage, she became known for her portrayal of Zara Carmichael in the BBC soap opera Doctors . She played Zara from 2009 to 2024, during which she won the award for Best Female Acting Performance at the RTS Midlands Awards in 2015. Since 2024, she has hosted the podcast Chicken Soap for the Soul, as well as returning to her stage career.

Contents

Early life

Born in the London Borough of Merton on 15 September 1974, Walsh is the daughter of Irish actor Dermot Walsh and English actress Elisabeth Madeleine Annear. [1] [2] She has a sister, Olivia, and, from her father's previous marriages, a half-sister, Sally, and a half-brother, Michael. [2] Walsh was educated at West Heath School in Sevenoaks, Kent. [1] She then studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. [3] Before pursuing a career in acting, Walsh worked as an intern for an American senator in Washington, D.C. when she was 17. [4]

Career

Walsh made her television debut in the 1998 television film Falling for a Dancer . [5] She has also made appearances in television series such as Love in a Cold Climate , Unfinished Business , [6] Midsomer Murders , Love Soup and Holby City . [4] She also played the lead role of Elinor Carlisle in the 2003 ITV adaptation of Agatha Christie's Sad Cypress . [7] Also in 2003, Walsh made her professional stage debut in The Misanthrope at the Gate Theatre. [8] Alongside her television roles, she continued to make various theatre appearances. These included a role in The Rivals at the Bristol Old Vic and touring the United Kingdom in a production of Rebecca . [9] [10]

In June 2009, she joined the regular cast of the BBC drama Doctors , in the role of Zara Carmichael. [11] In an interview with OK! Magazine , Walsh talked about her character, saying: "I think it would be fair to call Zara a bit of a handful! She's quite the volatile personality, and I grabbed the character with both hands. She's been a bit of a home-wrecker in the past, but I like her; even when you’re playing a baddie, you have to play a baddie like you’re playing a heroine. She behaves appallingly. I don’t think I’d particularly want her as a friend, but she’d be a great fun ride if you’re with Zara!". [12] For her portrayal of Zara, Walsh won the award for Best Female Acting Performance at the 2015 RTS Midlands Awards. [13] Walsh expressed interest in writing episodes of Doctors, [4] and directed nine episodes. [14] She portrayed Zara until 2024, when the series ended. Following Doctors, Walsh appeared in Sister Boniface Mysteries , as well as starting a podcast, Chicken Soap for the Soul. It follows Walsh interviewing soap opera actors to ask them about their careers. [15] In 2025, Walsh returned to the stage for a touring production of The Party Girls, a play about the Mitford family. She was cast as Diana Mitford. [16]

Personal life

Walsh lives in Birmingham with her partner, Dylan Charles. [17] The pair had a son born in 2012, [18] with a second child born in 2015. Walsh took maternity breaks from Doctors for each pregnancy, with her character's temporary exits being written into the series. [19]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1998 Falling for a Dancer ElizabethTelevision film
1998–1999 Unfinished Business RachelRecurring role; 9 episodes
1999CleopatraOctaviaTelevision film
2001 Love in a Cold Climate Linda RadlettMain role
2002 Bertie and Elizabeth Lillibet Television film
2003 Murphy's Law Kate JenningsEpisode: "Electric Bill"
2003 My Hero CharlotteEpisode: "It's All in the Mind"
2003 Sad Cypress Elinor CarlisleTelevision film
2004 The Rivals Julia MelvillePerformance at Bristol Old Vic, recorded for DVD
2005 Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky Mrs Sanderson-ChantryTelevision film
2005 Love Soup Roberta SammsEpisode: "War is Heck"
2007 The Commander ThelmaEpisode: "The Fraudster"
2008 Midsomer Murders Beth PorteousEpisode: "Blood Wedding"
2008Fiona's StoryEmmaTelevision film
2009 Holby City Elizabeth FarringtonEpisode: "Proceed with Caution"
2009–2024 Doctors Zara Carmichael Regular role
2009 From Time to Time JoanFilm
2009 The Well EmilyEpisode: "Return to the Well"
2010For the Love of EliJenniferShort film
2010This Side of the AfterlifeLady ChatsworthShort film
2018 Celebrity Eggheads HerselfContestant
2025 Sister Boniface Mysteries Camilla/Jane CattermoleEpisode: "Biff! Pow! Zap!"

Stage

YearTitleRoleVenue
2003 The Misanthrope Jennifer Gate Theatre [20]
2004 The Rivals Julia Melville Bristol Old Vic
2005 Rebecca Mrs De WinterTour [21]
2006 Life of Galileo Virginia Olivier Theatre
2006 The Alchemist Dame PliantOlivier Theatre
2007–2008 The Country Wife Ms Alithea Theatre Royal, Haymarket
2008 Ring Round the Moon Diana Playhouse Theatre
2025The Party Girls Diana Mitford Tour [22]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryResultRef.
2010 RTS Midlands Awards Best Female Acting PerformanceNominated [23]
2011 Inside Soap Awards Best Daytime StarNominated [24] [25]
2012 British Soap Awards Best On-Screen Partnership [a] Nominated [26]
2013RTS Midlands AwardsBest Female Acting PerformanceNominated [27] [28]
2013British Soap Awards Best Actress Nominated [29]
2013British Soap AwardsBest On-Screen Partnership [a] Nominated [29]
2013British Soap AwardsSexiest FemaleNominated [29]
2013Inside Soap AwardsBest Daytime StarNominated [30] [31]
2014British Soap AwardsSexiest FemaleNominated [32]
2014Inside Soap AwardsBest Daytime StarNominated [33] [34]
2015British Soap AwardsBest ActressNominated [35]
2015RTS Midlands AwardsBest Female Acting PerformanceWon [13]
2017British Soap AwardsBest Comedy PerformanceNominated [36]
2017British Soap AwardsBest On-Screen Partnership [a] Nominated [36]
2018RTS Midlands AwardsBest Female Acting PerformanceNominated [37]
2018British Soap AwardsBest ActressNominated [38]
2018British Soap AwardsBest On-Screen Partnership [a] Nominated [38]
2018Inside Soap AwardsBest Daytime StarNominated [39]
2019 National Television Awards Serial Drama PerformanceNominated [40]
2019British Soap AwardsBest Female Dramatic PerformanceNominated [41]
2020National Television AwardsSerial Drama PerformanceNominated [42]
2023British Soap Awards Best Leading Performer Nominated [43]
2024Inside Soap AwardsBest Daytime StarNominated [44]
  1. 1 2 3 4 Walsh was nominated alongside Matthew Chambers.

References

  1. 1 2 Phillips, Caroline. "Take three debutantes". Evening Standard . Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Obituary: Dermot Walsh". The Daily Telegraph . 3 July 2002. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  3. ↑ "Elisabeth Dermot Walsh". RADA . Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 "Zara Carmichael". BBC . Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  5. ↑ "Falling for a Dancer – what time is it on TV?". Radio Times . Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  6. ↑ "Love in a Cold Climate". British Film Institute . Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  7. ↑ "Sad Cypress (2003)". British Film Institute . Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  8. ↑ "'Misanthrope' delights but does not disturb". The Irish Independent . Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  9. ↑ "THE RIVALS. To 12 June". Reviews Gate. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  10. ↑ "Norfolk - Entertainment - Rebecca". BBC. Archived from the original on 2 December 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  11. ↑ "Ten years of Birmingham's TV soap Doctors". Birmingham Post . 2 April 2010. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  12. ↑ "Interview with Matthew Chambers and Elisabeth Dermot Walsh". OK! Magazine. Archived from the original on 12 December 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  13. 1 2 "Doctors star lands RTS acting prizedate=13 November 2015". Digital Spy . Archived from the original on 14 November 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  14. ↑ "Elisabeth Dermot Walsh Directs". BBC . 12 December 2014. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  15. ↑ "BBC Doctors' Zara Carmichael star makes surprise admission after breaking soap rule". Birmingham Mail . Archived from the original on 13 December 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  16. ↑ "The Party Girls review – Mitford sisters get-together is missing some life and soul". The Guardian . Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  17. ↑ Welch, Tricia (20 April 2014). "Doctors actress Elisabeth Dermot Walsh: 'I've got an emergency wedding dress'". Daily Express . Archived from the original on 21 October 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  18. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (8 June 2012). "'Doctors' star Elisabeth Dermot Walsh reveals arrival of baby son". Digital Spy . Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  19. ↑ Dainty, Sophie; Kilkelly, Daniel (28 February 2016). "EastEnders attack, Emmerdale Charity return, Coronation Street newcomer, Hollyoaks stabbing". Digital Spy . (Hearst Communications). Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  20. ↑ "Archive for The Misanthrope at The Gate Theatre, Dublin. 2003. [DUBLIN]". Arts-archive.com. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  21. ↑ "Theatre, dance, opera and cabaret reviews". The Stage. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  22. ↑ "The World Premiere of a Marlowe Theatre Production – The Party Girls". 13 May 2025. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
  23. ↑ "RTS Mids Centre Awards 2010 Nominations". RTS Awards . Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  24. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (9 July 2012). "Inside Soap Awards 2012 – longlist nominees in full". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  25. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (17 September 2012). "'Coronation Street' leads Inside Soap Awards 2012 shortlist". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  26. ↑ "British Soap Awards 2012 – winners in full". Digital Spy . Archived from the original on 3 January 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  27. ↑ "Awards – Midlands". Royal Television Society. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  28. ↑ "Doctors". BBC. Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  29. 1 2 3 "British Soap Awards 2013: the winners in full". Radio Times . Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  30. ↑ Dainty, Sophie (22 July 2013). "Inside Soap Awards 2013 – longlist nominees in full". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  31. ↑ Rigby, Sam (15 October 2013). "'Coronation Street' leads Inside Soap Awards 2013 shortlist". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  32. ↑ "British Soap Awards 2014: full list of winners revealed". Radio Times . Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  33. ↑ Dainty, Sophie (29 July 2014). "Inside Soap Awards 2014 longlist revealed". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 31 July 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  34. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (23 September 2014). "Inside Soap Awards shortlist revealed: Who are the most popular stars?". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  35. ↑ "Who won at British Soap Awards 2015? See the winners list in full". Digital Spy . Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  36. 1 2 "British Soap Awards 2017: Full list of winners". Belfast Telegraph . Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  37. ↑ "RTS Midlands Awards 2018". RTS Awards . Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  38. 1 2 "British Soap Awards 2018 winners list in full: Coronation Street named best soap". The Independent . Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  39. ↑ Davies, Megan (23 July 2018). "Inside Soap Awards 2018 full longlist revealed". Digital Spy . Archived from the original on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  40. ↑ Harp, Justin (16 October 2019). "Here are all the nominees for the National TV Awards 2019, including Strictly, Doctor Who and Ant & Dec". Digital Spy . Archived from the original on 30 August 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  41. ↑ "Here are the British Soap Awards 2019 winners in full". Digital Spy . Archived from the original on 25 April 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  42. ↑ "NTA nominations 2020: the full shortlist of National Television Awards nominees, and how to vote for the NTAs". i . Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  43. ↑ Cormack, Morgan (11 April 2023). "British Soap Awards 2023 longlist: EastEnders' Ravi vs Corrie's Stephen". Radio Times . Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  44. ↑ "Inside Soap Awards 2024 announces shortlist for star-studded ceremony". Digital Spy . Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
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