Elisabeth 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. Following the end of the series, she hosted the podcast Chicken Soap for the Soul, as well as returning to her stage career.

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. She has a sister, Olivia, and, from her father's previous marriages, a half-sister, Sally, and a half-brother, Michael. Before pursuing a career in acting, Walsh worked as an intern for an American senator in Washington, D.C. 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. Also in 2003, Walsh made her professional stage debut in The Misanthrope at the Gate Theatre. 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.

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, 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 followed Walsh interviewing Doctors cast and crew members to ask them about their careers. 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. She also made an appearance in the Alibi series Miss Scarlet and The Duke. Walsh is next set to appear in the upcoming BBC series The Hairdresser Mysteries.

Personal life Walsh lives in Birmingham with her 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 Camilla/Jane Cattermole Episode: "Biff! Pow! Zap!" 2025 Miss Scarlet and The Duke Lady Roberts Episode: "Trafalgar Spring" 2026 The Hairdresser Mysteries Venetia Upcoming series

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 2025 The Party Girls Diana Mitford Tour

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Result 2010 RTS Midlands Awards Best Female Acting Performance 2011 Inside Soap Awards Best Daytime Star 2012 British Soap Awards Best On-Screen Partnership 2013 RTS Midlands Awards Best Female Acting Performance 2013 British Soap Awards Best Actress 2013 British Soap Awards Best On-Screen Partnership 2014 British Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2014 Inside Soap Awards Best Daytime Star 2015 British Soap Awards Best Actress 2015 RTS Midlands Awards Best Female Acting Performance 2017 British Soap Awards Best On-Screen Partnership 2018 British Soap Awards Best Actress 2018 British Soap Awards Best On-Screen Partnership 2019 National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance 2019 British Soap Awards Best Female Dramatic Performance 2020 National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance 2023 British Soap Awards Best Leading Performer 2024 Inside Soap Awards Best Daytime Star