On the popular BBC crime drama Silent Witness, Liz Carr originated the character of Clarissa Mullery for eight years, bringing heart, humour, and intelligence to the part. The most popular character on the programme was probably Clarissa, a forensic examiner with a quick brain and wicked sense of humour. Many fans were left puzzled, then, when Carr left the programme in 2020 after such a successful stint.
Liz Carr is finally revealing her reasons. She has candidly spoken about why she retired in interviews and public debates, and how that transition marked the beginning of an interesting new chapter in her life and career.
Transformation
In 2012, in season sixteen of Silent Witness, Carr was added to the show. While Carr’s role as Clarissa Mullery was never intended to be a permanent position, she soon became a fixture after leaving an indelible mark on viewers and the show’s producers alike.
In an interview, Carr said, “I really enjoyed playing Clarissa.” She was full of heart and smart, and funny. To bring her to life felt like such a blessing.
Carr was thankful for the opportunity that the show offered her. It not only increased her popularity, but it also allowed her to play disabled characters in mainstream drama, which remains rare today.
The Wish
Carr began to feel the urge for change despite enjoying the role and the cast behind the show. She was hungry for new creative challenges after working for eight years.
She told me, “I loved it, which is why I stayed as long as I did.” Still, even when it was warm, I did not want to stay. I did not want to restrict myself because I knew I was better than that.
Carr wanted to try out different parts, work with new ensembles, and challenge her skills in ways that a long procedural drama could not. In her words, “I wanted to see the entire extent of what I could do as an actor.” “And I needed to make space for that.”
Prolonged Series
Carr’s decision was also partly based on the amount of time and commitment Silent Witness demanded. Shooting each series took months and often entailed complex production scheduling and long hours.
“It was a big part of my life,” Carr said. “There wasn’t much time for anything else because filming lasted so long. Because of a lack of time, I kept saying no to other projects that I wanted to do.”.
Carr conceded that while the job provided stability and security, it had its negative aspects as well. “I had to choose between safety and growth at one point,” she said. “And I chose growth.”
Leaving
Carr clarified that she did not have any negative experiences on set that made her leave. She actually stated that there was respect and respect for one another when she was going.
She reported that there was no drama. “No conflict, no fallout. When I told the team I was thinking of leaving, they completely understood. They gave me their full support.”.
The producers of the series permitted Clarissa to depart in a manner that honoured her stature by providing her with a befitting and respectful sendoff. Carr was thankful for that consideration. She said, “I really appreciated that they didn’t kill her off.” “It was beautiful that they left the door open.”
A silent observer
Liz Carr has undertaken a broad variety of work since departing. She secured well-known roles in large-budget productions such as Good Omens, The Witcher, and Alex Garland’s sci-fi thriller Devs. She has been able to try out different genres and types of characters in every role.
“I’ve played villains, mentors, and even appeared in dystopian and fantasy dramas,” she said. “Having done things I never thought I’d do while working on Silent Witness has been amazing.”
Carr returned to her first love, the stage, along with screen work. She played in a variety of recognised theatrical productions, such as the National Theatre’s The Normal Heart. Her acting range was confirmed by the critical success of her stage performances.
