Winifred Clements (also Tembe), portrayed by Lorna Laidlaw, made her first appearance on 5 January 2011 as a new receptionist at the Mill as a replacement for Ruth Pearce (Selina Chilton). Introduced as Mrs Tembe, she later reveals her forename to be Winifred. In April 2016, Mrs Tembe's role within Doctors changed, as she becomes the practice manager. Laidlaw was named Best Actress at the 2012 RTS Midlands Awards.[2] In August 2017, Laidlaw was longlisted for Best Daytime Star at the Inside Soap Awards.[3] She made the viewer-voted shortlist.[4] On 6 November 2017, Laidlaw won the Best Daytime Star accolade, which was the first Inside Soap Award to be won by Doctors.[5] On 8 January 2019, it was announced that Laidlaw was to leave Doctors after 8 years. Mrs Tembe's exit storyline saw her move away with Gordon Clement (Steven Elder) to Newcastle after accepting a new job working as a manager for a children's charity. Laidlaw's final scenes aired on 13 February 2019.[6]
Dr. Freya Wilson, portrayed by Lu Corfield, first appeared on 11 May 2011 and made her final appearance on 18 June 2012. Freya is bisexual; a columnist for AfterEllen said that Freya's sexuality was true to life and not "likely to be straight-forward". They hoped that Doctors would explore Freya in depth, noting that it would be the first time the series had developed a bisexual character.[7] Corfield received a lot of letters from viewers telling her that Freya is a positive role model.[8]Danielle Henry, who portrayed Freya's love interest Mandy Marquez, said that she often received "really positive feedback" via Twitter regarding Freya and Mandy's relationship.[9] Corfield departed Doctors on 18 June 2012 with Freya dying in a house fire. Following the character's death, Corfield went on to play the role of her sister, Lois Wilson, in 2014. For her portrayal of Freya, Corfield received a nomination for Best Newcomer at the 2012 British Soap Awards.[10] At the 2012 Inside Soap Awards, Corfield was nominated for Best Daytime Star.[11] Alison Slade from TVTimes said that Corfield was a strong contender for the accolade because Freya had been a "breath of fresh air".[12]
Dr. Kevin Tyler, portrayed by Simon Rivers, first appeared on 11 May 2011 and made his final appearance on 30 October 2014. Kevin first arrives for job interview at the Mill and after getting the job, he is mentored by Daniel Granger (Matthew Chambers). Kevin is an ambitious person who is driven to succeed, but his BBC profile noted that "life has bruised him".[13] Kevin thinks he is a "slick player" but does not pull it off due to having a conscience.[13] His backstory involves being raised by his mother, Laura Tyler (Rebecca Lacey), singlehandedly, with his Asian father having abandoned them when Kevin was very young. As a result, Kevin "has never considered himself 'Asian' in any sense", but his BBC profile hinted that Kevin would eventually have to address this part of his background.[13] This was later seen when producers introduced his half-siblings, Nadia Ahmed (Hema Mangoo) and Zarif Khan (Asif Khan).[14]
One of Kevin's storylines in the series sees his girlfriend, Lauren Porter (Alexis Peterman), murdered. He becomes the chief suspect for the investigation, but is eventually cleared.[13] When he meets Freya Wilson (Lu Corfield), the pair instantly dislike each other, but later begin a relationship. Corfield told Digital Spy's Kilkelly that she and Rivers went on "a massive journey" together.[15] Initially, they fought like "cat and dog" which was gradually developed into a "fondness between them".[15] Corfield added that "their default setting is to always snap at each other, but they care about each other a lot and they'll always look out for each other."[15] After Freya dies in a house fire to save Tyler, his profile noted that the deaths of both Lauren and Freya would culminate in Tyler wondering "if he is worth it".[13]
After three years in the role, Rivers made the decision to leave Doctors. His exit storyline sees Kevin accidentally embark on a relationship with an underage girl, Poppy Conroy (Claudia Jessie), when she lies about her age. He is eventually fired by Zara Carmichael (Elisabeth Dermot Walsh) when the relationship is exposed.[13] For his portrayal of Kevin, Rivers was nominated for Sexiest Male at the 2012 British Soap Awards.[10] A year later, he received a longlist nomination for the British Soap Award for Best Actor.[16] He was again nominated for the Sexiest Male award in 2014.[17]
Lauren Porter, portrayed by Alexis Peterman, first appeared on 5 August 2011 and made her final appearance on 28 September 2011. After Mrs Tembe (Lorna Laidlaw) leaves on holiday, Julia Parsons (Diane Keen) contacts Lauren, since she is friends with Lauren's mother. On her first day, she immediately attracts the attention of the staff, particularly Kevin Tyler (Simon Rivers), but only disdain from Dr. Freya Wilson (Lu Corfield). Kevin instantly takes interest in Lauren and tries to win her over by offering her dinner, but she turns him down. However, they later embark on a relationship. Lauren catches a homeless man named Dennis (Andy Devine) washing his hands and feet in the toilets at the Mill. Freya has words with Lauren after she makes a stereotypical judgement of Dennis. Lauren later agrees to see if Dennis has checked into a homeless shelter Freya recommended. However, she goes home and later tells Freya that Dennis had not followed her advice.
Lauren bullies Imogen Hollins (Charlie Clemmow), annoys Kevin, schemes against Mrs Tembe and clashes with Imogen's mother Karen (Jan Pearson) when Karen confronts her over her antics. Her lover, Harrison Kellor (James Larkin), is furious when she gleefully admits that she has been cheating on him with Kevin. He murders Lauren in a rage by strangling her to death with a tea towel. Series producer Mike Hobson said that Lauren's murder was one of Doctors most popular storylines.[18] Daniel Kilkelly, writing for Digital Spy, described Lauren as a "bitchy" villain.[19]
Dr. Harrison Kellor, portrayed by James Larkin, first appeared on 11 August 2011 and made his final appearance on 21 September 2012. Harrison was introduced as a forensics specialist at Letherbridge Police station. He begins a relationship with Elaine Cassidy (Janet Dibley), but after admitting that he is married, his marriage and relationship with Elaine both end. Having given Jack Hollins (Nicolas Woodman) work experience in his forensics laboratory, he starts up a new relationship with receptionist Lauren Porter (Alexis Peterman). When he finds out that Lauren had a relationship with Kevin Tyler (Simon Rivers), he murders her by strangling her with a tea towel, and is then sent to prison.
In August 2012, it was announced that Larkin had reprised his role.[18] Larkin appeared in a week of episodes airing on the Red button as Harrison changes his plea for Lauren's murder to not guilty.[18] Elaine is "in shock" and Alex Redmond (Stuart Laing) asks for help from Elaine, "which puts her in a difficult position".[18] A statement said: "Discovering that Alex's wife went missing after an affair with Harrison, Elaine is forced to consider that he may have killed other women too. Plagued by phone calls from Harrison in prison, will Elaine be able to confront her former lover and resist his charms?".[18] Series producer Mike Hobson finished in saying: "Lauren's murder was one of Doctors most popular storylines, and this Red Button event picks up on one of the show's most chilling villains, building across the week to a dramatic conclusion".[18] The first episode aired on 17 September.[18] His return also served as the exit storyline for Elaine.[20]
Marina Bonnaire, portrayed by Marian McLoughlin, first appeared on 25 October 2011 and made her final appearance on 7 March 2012.[21]
It was announced in 2011 that a new health visitor was to join the cast later on in the year. In August, it was confirmed that McLoughlin was to play the role. She was introduced to be the love interest of long-standing regular, Dr. Heston Carter (Owen Brenman). Marina is well-liked by most staff, especially Heston whom she is in a relationship with. Due to her relationship with Heston, receptionist Mrs. Tembe (Lorna Laidlaw) becomes jealous of her as she too has feelings for Heston. Marina eventually moved into Heston's house, to her son Ian's disapproval.
During their relationship, Marina becomes violent and dispassionate towards Heston and has a very short temper. A culmination of these things lead to Heston deciding to end the relationship. He asks Marina to leave the house and she ends up back at her son's place in the hope she could stay. However, Ian sees that she is in the wrong and tells her she has landed herself in this mess.
The lecturer of Jack Hollins (Nicolas Woodman) and the pair have a short relationship. Unaware to Jack, Lucy is married, but she says that they are in a stale marriage.
A childhood friend of Jimmi Clay's (Adrian Lewis Morgan). Dafydd travels the world and never decides to settle down. He flirts continuously with Cherry Malone (Sophie Abelson), regardless of her saying she does not feel the same way. Dafydd tries to get Jimmi to pay for a holiday to Spain for him, but Cherry finds out and Jimmi ends the friendship.
A security guard who sees Imogen Hollins (Charlie Clemmow) attempt to steal bracelets. He tells her that she must go on a date with him or he will tell the police what she did. On their date, he tells Imogen that he likes making pottery and he does not get on with his alcoholic father.
Doctors is a British medical soap opera, first broadcast on BBC One on 26 March 2000. Filmed in Birmingham and set in the fictional West Midlands town of Letherbridge, the soap follows the lives of the staff of both an NHS doctor's surgery and a university campus surgery, as well as the lives of their families and friends. Initially, only 41 episodes of the programme were ordered, but due to the positive reception, the BBC ordered it as a continuing soap opera. Doctors was filmed at the Pebble Mill Studios until 2004; production then relocated to the BBC Drama Village, where it will film until 2024. Episodes are filmed three months prior to transmission. The soap is typically broadcast on weekdays at 1:45 pm on BBC One, as well as having classic episodes broadcast on Drama. It takes three annual transmission breaks across the year: at Easter, during the summer and at Christmas.
Dr. Heston Carter is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Owen Brenman. He made his first appearance in 2008, and he continued to appear until 2018, when Brenman left Doctors, with Heston being killed in a car accident.
Imogen Hollins is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Charlie Clemmow. Before her first appearance, Imogen is mentioned by her on-screen mother Karen ; Clemmow watched the episode and wrote a letter to the BBC asking if they would be casting actresses for the role of Imogen. She made continued contact with the BBC and was eventually invited to audition for Imogen, and despite having no agent, she was cast in the role and made her first appearance on 4 August 2009. She is introduced as the daughter of Karen and Rob Hollins and the sister of Jack Hollins.
Jack Hollins is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Nicolas Woodman. Jack first appeared on 4 August 2009 and left Doctors on 21 September 2012. He returned for brief stints in 2013 and 2014. His storylines in the series have included his secret relationship with Zara Carmichael and completing a degree at university. Following the completion of his degree, it was confirmed by producer Peter Eryl Lloyd that the character would face numerous life decisions that ultimately resulted in his exit.
Dr. Elaine Cassidy is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Janet Dibley. She made her first appearance during the series 12 episode "Frozen", broadcast on 31 August 2010. She departed Doctors on 28 September 2012.
Winifred Tembe is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Lorna Laidlaw. She is introduced on 5 January 2011 as a new receptionist at the fictional Mill Health Centre as a replacement for Ruth Pearce. Despite initially being introduced as Mrs Tembe, she later reveals her forename to be Winifred. In April 2016, Mrs Tembe's role within Doctors changed as she becomes the practice manager. On 8 January 2019, it was announced that Laidlaw was to leave Doctors after 8 years. Mrs Tembe's exit storyline saw her move away with Gordon Clement to Newcastle after accepting a new job working as a manager for a children's charity. Laidlaw's final scenes aired on 13 February 2019.
Freya Wilson is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Lu Corfield. She made her first appearance on 11 May 2011, and departed Doctors on 18 June 2012 after dying in a house fire. Following the character's death, Corfield went on to play the role of her sister, Lois Wilson, in 2014.
Tyler Moon is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Tony Discipline. Tyler is the son of Eddie Moon, half brother of Michael and Craig Moon, brother of Anthony Moon and cousin of Alfie Moon. He made his first appearance in the episode broadcast on 27 June 2011.
Poppy Meadow is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Rachel Bright. She was introduced by executive producer Bryan Kirkwood on 11 January 2011 as the best friend of established character Jodie Gold in scenes filling in for those cut from a controversial baby-swap storyline. Poppy returned to the series in June 2011 as a supporting character and comedy element, in a move that was generally welcomed by the tabloid press; her storylines focused on her friendship with Jodie and their intertwined love lives. Both Jodie and Poppy left the series on 14 November 2011, but the possibility was left open for Poppy to return in the future. In June 2012 Bright reprised her role as Poppy, moving into Walford and resuming her employment at the local beauty salon, this time as a regular character. Poppy's storylines became more prominent, including a romantic relationship with Fatboy. The character was axed in September 2013 by new executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins, and Poppy departed on 30 January 2014.
Howard Bellamy is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Ian Kelsey. Howard first appeared on 28 May 2012, where he is introduced as the practice manager of the fictional Mill Health Centre. Kelsey was cast in the soap following the departure of Julia Parsons, the practice manager prior to Howard. He is an ex-army captain, and producers deliberately made his personality different to Julia's. Howard was based on a real person since producers had heard of a situation where somebody quit the army to become the practice manager of a doctor's surgery. Kelsey spoke to a real-life practice manager to aid his accuracy in the role.
Lorna Laidlaw is an English actress. She has appeared on television as Mrs Tembe in the BBC medical soap opera Doctors and as Aggie Bailey in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street between 2019 and 2023. Laidlaw won the Royal Television Society award for Best Actress and Best Daytime Star at the Inside Soap Awards for her role in Doctors.
Dr. Niamh Donoghue is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Jessica Regan. Niamh was introduced as a general practitioner at the fictional Mill Health Centre. She first appeared on 1 May 2014 and made her last appearance on 1 April 2016.
Ruhma Carter is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Bharti Patel. Ruhma's storylines in the programme have included her relationship with Heston Carter, dealing with her partial deafness, supporting her children through various issues with the police, mourning the loss of Heston after his shock death and being suspended from her job.
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