FORENSIC examiner Clarissa Mullery, portrayed by Liz Carr, is one of Silent Witness’ most iconic characters.
She has become a firm fan-favourite over the years but will sadly not be returning for the show’s 26th series – here’s why.
Liz Carr has played Clarissa Mullery on the BBC One drama for seven yearsCredit: BBC
What happened to Clarissa on Silent Witness?
Actress Liz Carr announced in 2020 her departure from the cast of Silent Witness, after being a part of the show since series 16 in 2012.
Her character Clarissa Mullery had become iconic throughout the series, with her dead-pan, sarcastic manners and an air of authority.
In the Season 23 finale, titled The Greater Good, which saw Dr Thomas Chamberlain killed off, Clarissa told her team that it was time for her to “focus less on the dead and more on the living”.
Meanwhile, actress Liz revealed that she was finally quitting the role because she wanted to explore new opportunities in her career.
When she announced her exit in 2020, she said: “After eight years of getting to play the fabulous character Clarissa Mullery, I’ve decided it’s time to leave Silent Witness.
“To quote Clarissa, ‘I just know, deep down – that it’s time for me to move on, to focus less on the dead and more on the living. On life’.
“Silent Witness has given me such an amazing opportunity to develop as an actor but I know this is the right time to take a leap of faith, leaving what I know and seeing what other opportunities await.
“It has been a rollercoaster of a ride but I feel I’m leaving on an exhilarating high.”
How long did Liz Carr play Clarissa in Silent Witness?
Liz played Clarissa Mullery on the BBC One drama for nearly eight years between 2012 and 2020.
The much-loved forensic examiner ended up being integral to the team at the Lyell Centre due to her encyclopaedic knowledge of forensic breakthroughs and advancements in the field.
Clarissa has a strong bond with lead forensic scientist Jack, played by David Caves, and her husband Max, played by Daniel Weyman, is a digital forensics expert and the only person to ever beat her at Scrabble.
Liz left Silent Witness alongside fellow castmate Richard Lintern after the tragic death of his character Dr Thomas Chamberlain.
Executive producer Richard Stokes said of their departure: “Liz and Richard, in their individual and brilliant ways, brought so much to Silent Witness.
“They have been much loved characters and will be missed by us all at The Lyell.”
What is Liz Carr doing now?
In a Radio Times interview, Liz revealed that during her time filming Silent Witness, she was getting more auditions than ever before.
She has played characters in Netflix series The OA in 2019 and sitcom Devs in 2020.
The actress has also appeared in panel shows including Would I Lie To You and Who Do You Think You Are?
Liz has landed a part in series two of the popular Netflix fantasy show The Witcher, where she plays a character called Fenn alongside former Superman Henry Cavill.
Liz told Radio Times she wanted “experiences” adding: “In a way security comes less high up for me in priorities than experiences.”
In December 2021, it was announced that Carr had joined the cast of Good Omens for the second season, as the angel Saraqael.
Between September and December 2021, Carr played Dr. Emma Brookner in the West End revival of The Normal Heart at the Royal National Theatre.
In 2022, she joined the cast of Adam Kay‘s This is Going to Hurt, as Tina.