Doctors

Former Coronation Street actor Charles Lawson and ex-Hollyoaks cast member Peter Mitchell are to appear in an episode of Doctors together, Digital Spy can reveal.

The soap stars, best known for their roles as Jim McDonald and Pete Hamill respectively, have already filmed their guest appearances on the BBC One daytime drama.

Lawson has taken on the part of Gary, a warehouse worker who is unable to deal with his recent diagnosis of petit mal epilepsy and attempts to hide his condition from his employer.

Mitchell, meanwhile, plays Gary's son - a wheelchair user who is also unaware of what his father is going through.

When Gary is involved in an accident at work which almost hurts his son, he may be forced to face things openly for the first time.

Lawson has played Coronation Street's Jim on and off since 1989, last appearing in the part in April 2011, while Mitchell portrayed Pete in Hollyoaks between February and September last year.

Doctors broadcasts the pair's episode on Friday, November 30 at 1.45pm on BBC One.

Former Coronation Street star Martin Hancock has signed up for a guest role on Doctors, Digital Spy can reveal.

The actor, best known for playing Weatherfield's Spider Nugent, will play a homeless man on the BBC One daytime drama.

http://i1.cdnds.net/12/43/300x225/sh..._hancock_1.jpg
© WENN / Vince Maher

Hancock's character Beano has spent 20 years on the streets across various cities, having dropped out of university and turned to alcohol.

Homelessness is now a way of life for Beano, and show bosses have billed him as "intelligent, wily with a good sense of humour" and "rather expert at spotting lucrative opportunities".

Hancock's appearance on Doctors will air next year.

Digital Spy can also confirm that actor Niall MacGregor has landed a guest part on the programme, for scenes which air in 2013.

MacGregor's past roles include playing Stan Jessop in BBC One's Case Histories, adapted from the successful detective novels by Kate Atkinson.

Doctors airs weekdays at 1.45pm on BBC One.

Doctors has more familiar faces popping up in guest roles over the coming months.

Digital Spy can confirm that Butterflies actress Wendy Craig appears in the episode airing on Tuesday, February 26 - taking on the part of Edith Jessop.

http://i2.cdnds.net/13/04/300x225/sh...endy-craig.jpg
© WENN / Vince Maher


Edith is the overprotective mother of Heston Carter's friend Rory. She is determined to break up her son's potential relationship, but will she succeed?

Meanwhile, The Kumars at No. 42 stars Indira Joshi and Vincent Ebrahim have also recently been filming with the BBC One daytime drama.

http://i2.cdnds.net/13/04/300x225/uktv-the-kumars.jpg
© PA Images / Yui Mok/PA Archive
http://i2.cdnds.net/13/04/300x225/uktv-the-kumars_1.jpg
© PA Images / Yui Mok/PA Archive


The pair will be seen in a story involving a couple with marriage problems, which are fuelled when Joshi's character hears her husband calling out another woman's name in his sleep.

Viewers will see that there could be an innocent explanation for this suspicious behaviour, but can Dr Kevin Tyler (Simon Rivers) help the pair to open up again?

Doctors airs weekdays at 1.45pm on BBC One.

Doctor's' Mandy Marquez will soon take centre stage in an experimental episode featuring flashbacks to the 1960s.

Monday's edition of the daytime soap sees Mandy have a serendipitous meeting with Eleanor Waite, an elderly lady who is haunted by memories of the past.

As soon as Eleanor sees Mandy, she is reminded of the love of her life Susie Lambert, whom she met in a café in 1962. When Eleanor opens up to Mandy, her sad story is told through flashbacks.

Danielle Henry, who plays Mandy, also takes on the role of Susie in the 1960s scenes. The actress recently caught up with Digital Spy to reveal more about the storyline and what's coming up for Mandy.

How did you feel about filming such an unusual episode?
"I was really excited about it, as it's the first time Doctors have done anything like this. I play two different characters in the episode, so I knew it would be a lot of hard work, but the subject matter was really sensitively handled.

"I was quite flattered to be the one who they chose for the episode. Our producer Peter told me that they originally had another character in mind for it, but he really pushed the idea of it being Mandy."

Can you tell us a bit about what we can expect from the storyline?
"The episode switches between the 1960s and the present day. Mandy meets Eleanor, an elderly lady who's had quite a colourful past. In her background, she met and fell in love with a woman in the 1960s.

"When Eleanor comes into contact with Mandy, it immediately takes her straight back, because Mandy looks so similar to Susie, the woman who she fell in love with all those years ago.

"In the flashbacks, Eleanor is taking quite a big step, because she's trying to stand up to her husband and say that she's in love with a woman. In the 1960s, that was still being viewed as a mental health issue, so it was a really dangerous statement to make. But I won't give away what happens as the story goes on!"

Was it a challenge to take on a completely different character for this storyline?
"It really was, but make-up and costume did the most amazing job. I had some great, authentic '60s costumes to wear. We also had some wigs and hairpieces, which they styled into a real 1960s, Diana Ross-type look. I actually didn't want to take it off afterwards!

"They did such a good job of making me look completely different to Mandy, so I think that'll be one thing that surprises people when they watch the episode. I also use a different accent, because the 1960s character has come over from Jamaica. I'm hoping both characters will seem quite different, if I've done my job properly!"


© BBC


How do you feel about Doctors doing these experimental episodes?
"It's brilliant. Doctors isn't as high-profile as the other soaps, and in some ways I always think that's a shame, but it can also be a good thing because it means we have free reign to try different things. Doctors love being experimental and touching on different issues.

"I also think the show is quite unique, because we often go to quite high comedy but then turn very serious, such as with the Heston and Marina storyline which covered domestic violence against a man. That was a brilliant storyline. Doctors is so under the radar, but we were one of the first soaps to touch on that issue, and it was so brilliantly done."

How close do you think Mandy is to moving on from Freya's death?
"I think she's moving forward and going in the right direction, but Freya was the love of her life, and it's going to take her a long time to come to terms with what happened. I love that we still make regular references to Freya in the show. As much as I think Mandy's moving forward, I don't think she'll ever forget Freya and what they had. It's not something you can ever fully come to terms with."

How did you feel about Lu Corfield deciding to bow out as Freya?
"As soon as I knew she was leaving, I was crying about it! I had a lot of real grieving to do, and every now and again, we'd be doing a scene that had nothing to do with Freya's leaving storyline and then I'd just burst into tears because I knew she was going.

"Lu had been such an amazing support to me, because I'd worked with her before on Candy Cabs, and I didn't really know anyone else when I joined the show."


© BBC


Do you feel like you're exploring Mandy more in her own right now?
"Yeah, it's been quite strange for me because I was brought in to facilitate Freya's storyline. I didn't really have any kind of background or history. I think sometimes people have struggled to understand Mandy because they don't really know anything about her, but I really hope that's changing now.

"The producers have started to bring in different sides of Mandy. There's a bit of a comedy side and in the episodes coming up, you find out more about her. I'm hoping people will get to know her better and like her more as well."

Would you like to see a new love interest for Mandy?
"Yeah, I think it could be nice for her. I know there are some interesting things on the way for Mandy later in the year, but there isn't a girlfriend on the cards that I've heard so far.

"I do feel for Mandy, because she seems to be the only character who's on her own a lot of the time. Kevin's always going on dates, Chris gets his bit of attention, and even Heston's had an escort! Mandy hasn't really had much."

Are you sticking with Doctors for the foreseeable future?
"Yeah, I'm contracted until Christmas, so I'll be here until December at least, and then we'll see whether I get my marching orders! But I'm having a really great time, and I feel really grateful to be involved in an episode like Monday's one, because they don't come along all the time.

"The episode is quite timely with the recent equal marriage news. We didn't know would happen when we filmed it, but it's timed really nicely, and hopefully it's one that people will connect with."


© BBC


How have the recent cast changes affected life on set?
"Well, Doctors are really good at picking nice people to join! Generally when there's a new regular coming in, you know they're going to be alright. I think a common misconception is that Doctors has done a big axing cull and got rid of loads of characters, but that's just not the case.

"People have a really nice time here, they tend to do two or three years or so, but then actors just get itchy feet and want to go off and try other things. I think it's really good for the show to have those new faces and a fresh energy.

"Last year a lot of people's cycles all ended at the same time and I think that was quite difficult for the audience, but I think people are starting to warm to the new faces now and get used to them. I still keep in touch with the people who've left. I still speak to Sophie Abelson regularly, and Charlie Clemmow as well."

Zara will be back very soon, which the fans are looking forward to! Do you think we can expect a lot of drama from her?
"Well, I think the two go hand-in-hand, Zara and drama! I can't imagine what's in store for Zara, but I'm sure they're cooking up something exciting. I know Elisabeth is really glad to be back working on set again now that she's a mummy, and it's really good for us to have her back as well. She brings the Dynasty element to Doctors, I always think!"

Doctor's actor Owen Brenman has revealed that his character Heston Carter will find love again.

Heston will be hoping to put his ordeal with violent ex-girlfriend Marina Bonnaire behind him when he embarks on the new romance later this year.

Brenman confirmed that he is looking forward to the upcoming storyline, but wants Heston to maintain his independence.

He explained: "The last two relationships, Lily and Marina, ended up with him running around with his tail between his legs. He seems to become emasculated around his partners, whereas he can be fairly strong-willed in other areas of his life.

"That is not to say he should not seek out romance. He is lonely, but as an actor I cherish his independence. The chase may be more interesting than the capture.

"Later in the year, Heston will be finding love again, and this time, I'm assured he won't be emasculated!"

Revealing more teasers of Heston's future, Brenman continued: "Some health problems arise for Heston, which start to affect his work and his behaviour towards his colleagues. He also develops a little sideline with one of the other doctors which has its own complications."

Brenman started filming at Doctors five years ago, and he has also directed nine episodes of the BBC One daytime drama.

Asked to name his highlights at Doctors, he replied: "It's hard to single anything out. I like the variety. When Heston first arrived, the writers pushed the comedy which was fun. At times I felt I was doing a sitcom whilst everyone else was in a drama. This may still be true!

"Then a failed marriage and a long-lost son were introduced and comedy Carter humanised, and - in my opinion - became more interesting and three-dimensional."

Doctors airs weekdays at 1.45pm on BBC One.

Former Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas has filmed a guest appearance on Doctors.

The actor, best known for his role as Chester villain Warren Fox, was on set at the BBC One daytime soap this week.

Lomas's scenes will air in August, and his storyline involves a father and son with a difficult relationship.

He said today: "My character is called Steve and he has a 15-year old son. Steve's a bit of a bloke, whereas his son is the complete opposite and they just don't click as father and son.

"Steve is trying to make him into something that he isn't and Olly, his boy, is trying to be like his dad - but he can't. He tries to live up to his dad's expectations, but it's never going to happen."

Lomas bowed out from Hollyoaks for the second time in December 2011. He has since been auditioning for new projects.

He continued: "I left about 15 months ago, and I still get messages on Twitter saying, 'Please come back'. It's really flattering to have played a character that people love and still talk about.

"I've just come back from LA where I was for two months, and have got a nice agent over there who's putting me up for some projects. I'm just auditioning and putting myself out there and would love to make it over there.

"It's tough. Being on Hollyoaks for such a long time, people see you as that character. Coming into a great show like Doctors with a brilliant cast is fantastic."

Doctors will air Lomas's guest appearance on Tuesday, August 27.

Guess Hollywood said they will be calling him .... eventually :rolleyes: ... he could take his wife and children with him :D

Former Coronation Street star Will Thorp and ex-EastEnders actress Lucy Speed will appear on Doctors later this year, Digital Spy can reveal.

The actors have recently filmed with the BBC daytime soap as guest artists for one episode, which will see them playing a troubled husband and wife.

Their characters Matt and Kate Davis are to feature in a storyline alongside established regular Dr Kevin Tyler, played by Simon Rivers.

Matt and Kate are a professional couple, whose loving relationship has descended into a much darker and dangerous trap. When Kevin meets the pair and suspects abuse, he tries to intervene and break the cycle.

A Doctors spokesperson told Digital Spy: "Will and Lucy have a wealth of experience, coupled with an on-screen chemistry that delivered powerful performances in this guest story of the day. It has been a pleasure to work with them."

Thorp is known to soap fans for his role as Chris Gray on Coronation Street in 2010 and 2011. He also played Paul 'Woody' Joyner in Casualty.

Speed portrayed Natalie Evans on EastEnders between 1994 and 2004, and later joined The Bill as DS Stevie Moss.

Doctors airs Matt and Kate's storyline in November.

Doctors welcomes back Jack Hollins next month as he returns to the daytime soap as part of a dramatic new storyline.

Nicolas Woodman has reprised his role as Jack for three episodes and will appear back on screen from November 8.

Viewers will soon see a turbulent time for the Hollins family begin when Rob (Chris Walker) accidentally hits Karen (Jan Pearson) with his car while picking her up following a night out.

Although it initially appears to be a minor collision, Rob wakes up the next day to find Karen unconscious in their bed.

Karen is immediately rushed to hospital, where doctors find that she has an extensive bleed on her brain and needs emergency surgery.

As it's unclear whether Karen will pull through, a worried Jack arrives at the hospital to see his mother and support Rob through the difficult time.

Speaking to Digital Spy, Woodman commented: "It was really nice to work with Jan and Chris again and to be back in the Doctors family."

Woodman was a Doctors regular from 2009 to 2012.

Jack's sister Imogen, played by Charlie Clemmow, is also rumoured to be making a return appearance in the New Year.

I just love this soap. Best soap on TV , hands down. It is finished now for Xmas until Jan 17th . Today's episode was very moving. They tackle all sorts of issues.

I agree, Louise. I think Doctors is very underrated. So Dr Dan from Holby is the new practice manager!