# Elisabeth Dermot Walsh

Elisabeth Dermot Walsh (born 15 September 1974) is an English actress, known for her role as Zara Carmichael in the BBC soap opera Doctors. In 2015, she won the award for Best Female Acting Performance at the RTS Midlands Awards for her portrayal of Zara. Since 2024, she has hosted the podcast Chicken Soap for the Soul.

## Early life

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

## Career

Walsh made her television debut in the 1998 television film Falling for a Dancer. She has also made appearances in television series such as Love in a Cold Climate, Unfinished Business, Midsomer Murders, Love Soup and Holby City. She also played the lead role of Elinor Carlisle in the 2003 ITV adaptation of Agatha Christie's Sad Cypress.
In June 2009, she joined the regular cast of the BBC drama Doctors, in the role of Zara Carmichael. 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!". For her portrayal of Zara, Walsh won the award for Best Female Acting Performance at the 2015 RTS Midlands Awards. Walsh expressed interest in writing episodes of Doctors, and directed nine episodes. 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.

## Personal life

Walsh lives in Birmingham with partner Dylan Charles. The pair had a son born in 2012, 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.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1998 | Falling for a Dancer | Elizabeth | Television film |
| 1998–1999 | Unfinished Business | Rachel | Recurring role; 9 episodes |
| 1999 | Cleopatra | Octavia | Television film |
| 2001 | Love in a Cold Climate | Linda Radlett | Main role |
| 2002 | Bertie and Elizabeth | Lillibet | Television film |
| 2003 | Murphy's Law | Kate Jennings | Episode: "Electric Bill" |
| 2003 | My Hero | Charlotte | Episode: "It's All in the Mind" |
| 2003 | Sad Cypress | Elinor Carlisle | Television film |
| 2004 | The Rivals | Julia Melville | Performance at Bristol Old Vic, recorded for DVD |
| 2005 | Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky | Mrs Sanderson-Chantry | Television film |
| 2005 | Love Soup | Roberta Samms | Episode: "War is Heck" |
| 2007 | The Commander | Thelma | Episode: "The Fraudster" |
| 2008 | Midsomer Murders | Beth Porteous | Episode: "Blood Wedding" |
| 2008 | Fiona's Story | Emma | Television film |
| 2009 | Holby City | Elizabeth Farrington | Episode: "Proceed with Caution" |
| 2009–2024 | Doctors | Zara Carmichael | Regular role |
| 2009 | From Time to Time | Joan | Film |
| 2009 | The Well | Emily | Episode: "Return to the Well" |
| 2010 | For the Love of Eli | Jennifer | Short film |
| 2010 | This Side of the Afterlife | Lady Chatsworth | Short film |
| 2018 | Celebrity Eggheads | Herself | Contestant |
| 2025 | Sister Boniface Mysteries | TBA | Guest role |

## Stage

| Year | Title | Role | Venue |
| 2003 | The Misanthrope | Jennifer | Gate Theatre |
| 2004 | The Rivals | Julia Melville | Bristol Old Vic |
| 2005 | Rebecca | Mrs De Winter | Tour |
| 2006 | Life of Galileo | Virginia | Olivier Theatre |
| 2006 | The Alchemist | Dame Pliant | Olivier Theatre |
| 2007–2008 | The Country Wife | Ms Alithea | Theatre Royal, Haymarket |
| 2008 | Ring Round the Moon | Diana | Playhouse Theatre |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Result |
| 2010 | RTS Midlands Awards | Best Female Acting Performance | Nominated |
| 2011 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Daytime Star | Nominated |
| 2012 | British Soap Awards | Best On-Screen Partnership | Nominated |
| 2013 | RTS Midlands Awards | Best Female Acting Performance | Nominated |
| 2013 | British Soap Awards | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 2013 | British Soap Awards | Best On-Screen Partnership | Nominated |
| 2013 | British Soap Awards | Sexiest Female | Nominated |
| 2013 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Daytime Star | Nominated |
| 2014 | British Soap Awards | Sexiest Female | Nominated |
| 2014 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Daytime Star | Nominated |
| 2015 | British Soap Awards | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 2015 | RTS Midlands Awards | Best Female Acting Performance | Won |
| 2017 | British Soap Awards | Best Comedy Performance | Nominated |
| 2017 | British Soap Awards | Best On-Screen Partnership | Nominated |
| 2018 | RTS Midlands Awards | Best Female Acting Performance | Nominated |
| 2018 | British Soap Awards | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 2018 | British Soap Awards | Best On-Screen Partnership | Nominated |
| 2018 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Daytime Star | Nominated |
| 2019 | National Television Awards | Serial Drama Performance | Nominated |
| 2019 | British Soap Awards | Best Female Dramatic Performance | Nominated |
| 2020 | National Television Awards | Serial Drama Performance | Nominated |
| 2023 | British Soap Awards | Best Leading Performer | Nominated |
| 2024 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Daytime Star | Nominated |
* 1 2 3 4 Walsh was nominated alongside Matthew Chambers.