University News Last updated 23 October 2023
The BBC has announced plans to cancel Doctors, the daytime soap which has been on our screens for over 23 years.
Filmed here in Birmingham and set in the fictional West Midlands town of Letherbridge, the soap has followed the lives of the staff of both an NHS doctor's surgery and a university campus surgery since early 2000.
The show has been the springboard for many of our students’ careers, from Acting graduates who have studied at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, to English and Media alumni who have found roles in scriptwriting, producing, and directing.
We’re taking a trip down memory lane to celebrate just some of the many graduates who have got their foot in the door of their chosen industry thanks to Doctors, as well as those who have even become series regulars.
Ashley Rice
After graduating from Birmingham School of Acting in 2007, Ashley featured in a range of shows, including Emmerdale and Tracy Beaker Returns, before getting cast as Sid Vere in Doctors in 2015. For his role as Sid, Ashley has been nominated for Best Newcomer at the National Television Awards as well as Best Actor in the British Soap Awards in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Catherine Tyldesley
Birmingham School of Acting graduate and former Alumna of the Year Catherine Tyldesley may now be a household name thanks to her roles on Coronation Street, Scarborough, Emmerdale, and The Good Ship Murder, but one of her earlier roles included playing the role of Lynne Hammerson in one episode of Doctors in 2008.
Gabriel Paul
Acting alumnus Gabriel Paul is now a West End star after scoring roles in the likes of The Play That Goes Wrong, Macbeth and Windfall, but he has also appeared in Doctors in two different roles, firstly as Saul Masters for one episode in 2012, and secondly as Andy Johnson for eight episodes in 2015.
Helen George
Helen is now best known in her role as Nurse Trixie Franklin on the BBC drama series Call the Midwife, but she also headed to the town of Letherbridge back in 2011, where she played Andrea Towers in one episode.
Rachel Bright
After graduating in 2010, Rachel starred as Poppy Meadow in Eastenders for three years, before appearing as both Lisa Cartwright and Tara Pendall in Doctors between 2012-2015.
Dhafer L’Abidine
Tunisian actor Dhafer, who graduated in 2001, has enjoyed global success in the likes of Bride of Beirut, Eugenie Nights, Caramel, Halawet El Donia: Life is Beautiful and even Sex and the City 2, but one of his early roles was on Doctors in 2005, where he played the role as Pete Demello.
Tom Lister
Acting alumnus Tom’s best-known role is Carl King in Emmerdale, which he played on the soap for 12 years, but he’s also appeared in lots of other shows too, including Doctors, where he has played three different roles in seven episodes across 20 years.
Nigel Boyle
Acting alumnus Nigel has appeared on our screens in everything from Line of Duty, Silent Witness, Peaky Blinders and Coronation Street, but he has also played the role of six different characters in Doctors in over 14 episodes between 2006-2019.