As Doctors bows out, the cast’s shared memories highlight not only the fun and friendship behind the scenes but the enduring affection for a show that became a family to so many. The final episode may mark the end of an era, but the legacy of The Mill will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of fans and cast alike.
Elisabeth Dermot Walsh (Dr. Zara Carmichael)
For Elisabeth Dermot Walsh, who has played the sharp-tongued Dr. Zara Carmichael, her standout memory is from an episode where the staff of The Mill staged a dramatic production of A Christmas Carol. ‘We were filming for what seemed like days in this ‘black box’ theatre location,’ she recalls. ‘We lost all sense of time and reason, and I remember laughing until my insides ached. The characters were all supposed to be taking themselves so seriously, but trying to suppress ‘corpse’ laughter during a take – there’s almost no more alive a feeling.’
Kia Pegg (Scarlett Kiernan)
Kia Pegg, who joined the cast as Scarlett Kiernan, looks back on her two-year stint with nothing but fondness. ‘It was quite literally the happiest time of my life,’ she shares. ‘I can’t pick just one favourite memory, but filming with Ian [Midlane] and Adrian [Lewis Morgan] definitely made for some of the best days.’ Pegg recalls the thrill of working alongside long-time cast members in a memorable Cotswolds two-parter, and later joining the ‘dinners with distinction’ gang. ‘I felt like I’d been thrown in with the A-team,’ she says, ‘but ultimately had the most fun shooting that episode. We even played ‘wink murder’ with the crew all day long!’ She and Dex Lee took the camaraderie one step further by organising a cast awards night dubbed ‘The Didos,’ a fun-filled evening of laughter, love, and custom-made trophies. ‘No offence to anyone else, but it was hands down the best awards show I’ve ever been to!’
Chris Walker (Rob Hollins)
Reflecting on his time as fan favourite Rob Hollins, Chris Walker keeps it short but meaningful: ‘There are far too many memories to list, so I’ll go with realising how fabulous it was going to be on DAY ONE OF FILMING!’ It seems from the very beginning, Doctors was destined to be something special for Chris.
Kiruna Stamell (Kirsty Millar)
Kiruna Stamell, who portrays Kirsty Millar, shares a humorous memory of a scene that never made it to air. ‘Dave was trying to woo Kirsty with French cuisine,’ she laughs, ‘parading around with a baguette in hand – until it flopped over right in the middle of his speech. It couldn’t make it to screen for continuity reasons, but it’s a moment I’ll never forget!’
Ross McLaren (Luca McIntyre)
Ross McLaren fondly remembers his first day on set as Luca McIntyre, when he was warmly welcomed by the team. ‘I was so nervous, but walking into The Mill and seeing everyone in action was incredible,’ he says. ‘The efficiency, warmth, and talent of everyone around me made it unforgettable.’
Rahul Arya (Suni Bulsara)
For Rahul Arya, who joined the cast as Suni Bulsara, his favourite memories aren’t of the scenes themselves but of the downtime with his co-stars. ‘It’s all about the people,’ he says. ‘Chilling with Dex and Ash in the costume room, sharing laughter and inspiration – those moments between takes will always be my favourite. There was so much joy and a deep bond whenever I was with them.’
Doctors bows out on Thursday, 14th November, from 2pm on BBC One, where it will then be followed by Doctors: A Celebration
You must be logged in to post a comment.