Liz Carr and Richard Lintern leave Silent Witness and two new series commissioned
The BBC has announced that Silent Witness will return for a further two series - a 24th as well as the 25th Anniversary series.
Published: 5 February 2020
Silent Witness entertains audiences from all generations and continues to be one of the UK’s most successful returning crime drama series. I’m thrilled it will continue to grip the nation in 2021.
Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, says: "Silent Witness entertains audiences from all generations and continues to be one of the UK’s most successful returning crime drama series. I’m thrilled it will continue to grip the nation in 2021, and can’t wait for viewers to see what is in store for its 25th Anniversary in 2022."
The 23rd series of the hit drama came to an explosive conclusion on Wednesday night as audiences saw the shock departure of two of the series’ regular characters: Clarissa Mullery (Liz Carr) and Dr Thomas Chamberlain (Richard Lintern).
Series 23 of Silent Witness has been hugely successful, with average audiences of over seven million per week and has been one of BBC iPlayer’s most-requested shows.
Liz Carr says: "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.'
"Originally only employed for four episodes as Jack’s sidekick, I am incredibly proud that I leave as a main character in one of the BBC’s landmark dramas. 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. I will very much miss the other Lyell regulars - Emilia, David and Richard along with my on-screen husband, Dan Weyman - I have loved working alongside them for the past eight series and I leave knowing I have their love and support for my decision.
"My hugest thanks goes out to the audiences and fans who have followed me and Clarissa over the years. Without your love for the character I doubt I’d have made it through my first series! I hope you’ll understand why we felt it was time to leave and that you’ll continue your support for Silent Witness whilst hopefully following me in all my future adventures."
On Liz and Richard’s departure, Richard Stokes, BBC Studios Executive Producer, says: "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."
Further details of the new series will be announced in due course.
Series 23 and past series of Silent Witness are available to catch-up on BBC iPlayer.
Silent Witness is a BBC Studios production for BBC One. BBC Studios handle global distribution.
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