List of Doctors characters (2011)

Winifred Clements (also Tembe), portrayed by Lorna Laidlaw, made her first appearance on 5 January 2011 as a new receptionist at the Mill as a replacement for Ruth Pearce (Selina Chilton). Introduced as Mrs Tembe, she later reveals her forename to be Winifred. In April 2016, Mrs Tembe's role within Doctors changed, as she becomes the practice manager. Laidlaw was named Best Actress at the 2012 RTS Midlands Awards.[2] In August 2017, Laidlaw was longlisted for Best Daytime Star at the Inside Soap Awards.[3] She made the viewer-voted shortlist.[4] On 6 November 2017, Laidlaw won the Best Daytime Star accolade, which was the first Inside Soap Award to be won by Doctors.[5] On 8 January 2019, it was announced that Laidlaw was to leave Doctors after 8 years. Mrs Tembe's exit storyline saw her move away with Gordon Clement (Steven Elder) to Newcastle after accepting a new job working as a manager for a children's charity. Laidlaw's final scenes aired on 13 February 2019.[6]

Dr. Freya Wilson, portrayed by Lu Corfield, first appeared on 11 May 2011 and made her final appearance on 18 June 2012. Freya is bisexual; a columnist for AfterEllen said that Freya's sexuality was true to life and not "likely to be straight-forward". They hoped that Doctors would explore Freya in depth, noting that it would be the first time the series had developed a bisexual character.[7] Corfield received a lot of letters from viewers telling her that Freya is a positive role model.[8] Danielle Henry, who portrayed Freya's love interest Mandy Marquez, said that she often received "really positive feedback" via Twitter regarding Freya and Mandy's relationship.[9] Corfield departed Doctors on 18 June 2012 with Freya dying in a house fire. Following the character's death, Corfield went on to play the role of her sister, Lois Wilson, in 2014. For her portrayal of Freya, Corfield received a nomination for Best Newcomer at the 2012 British Soap Awards.[10] At the 2012 Inside Soap Awards, Corfield was nominated for Best Daytime Star.[11] Alison Slade from TVTimes said that Corfield was a strong contender for the accolade because Freya had been a "breath of fresh air".[12]

Dr. Kevin Tyler, portrayed by Simon Rivers, first appeared on 11 May 2011 and made his final appearance on 30 October 2014. Kevin first arrives for job interview at the Mill, where he meets Freya Wilson (Lu Corfield). The pair instantly dislike each other. Kevin is mentored by Daniel Granger (Matthew Chambers). For his portrayal of Kevin, Rivers was nominated for Sexiest Male at the 2012 British Soap Awards.[10] A year later, he received a longlist nomination for the British Soap Award for Best Actor.[13] He was again nominated for the Sexiest Male award in 2014.[14]

Lauren Porter, portrayed by Alexis Peterman, first appeared on 5 August 2011 and made her final appearance on 21 September 2011. After Mrs. Tembe (Lorna Laidlaw) leaves on holiday, Julia Parsons (Diane Keen) contacts a daughter of an old friend, Lauren. On her first day, she immediately attracts the attention of all the staff, particularly Kevin Tyler (Simon Rivers), but only disdain from Dr. Freya Wilson (Lu Corfield). Kevin instantly takes interest in Lauren and tries to win her over by offering her dinner, but she turns him down. A patient waiting to see Jimmi Clay (Adrian Lewis Morgan) brings her pet rat to the surgery for comfort, which scares Kevin away. Lauren agrees to look after the patient's rat, placing it in a box, feeding it bread.

Lauren catches a homeless man named Dennis (Andy Devine) washing his hands and feet in the toilets at the Mill. Freya has words with Lauren after she makes a stereotypical judgement of Dennis. Lauren later agrees to see if Dennis has checked into a homeless shelter Freya recommended. However, she goes home and later tells Freya that Dennis had not followed her advice. Lauren bullies Imogen Hollins (Charlie Clemmow), annoys Kevin and clashes with Imogen's mother Karen (Jan Pearson) when Karen confronts her over her antics. Her lover, Harrison Kellor (James Larkin), is furious when she gleefully admits that she has been cheating on him. He murders Lauren in a rage by strangling her to death with a tea towel. Series producer Mike Hobson said that Lauren's murder was one of Doctors most popular storylines.[15]

Dr. Harrison Kellor, portrayed by James Larkin, first appeared on 11 August 2011 and made his final appearance on 21 September 2012. Harrison was introduced as a forensics specialist at Letherbridge Police station. He begins a relationship with Elaine Cassidy (Janet Dibley), but after admitting that he is married, his marriage and relationship with Elaine both end. Having given Jack Hollins (Nicolas Woodman) work experience in his forensics laboratory, he starts up a new relationship with receptionist Lauren Porter (Alexis Peterman). When he finds out that Lauren had a relationship with Kevin Tyler (Simon Rivers), he murders her by strangling her with a tea towel, and is then sent to prison.

In August 2012, it was announced that Larkin had reprised his role.[15] Larkin appeared in a week of episodes airing on the Red button as Harrison changes his plea for Lauren's murder to not guilty.[15] Elaine is "in shock" and Alex Redmond (Stuart Laing) asks for help from Elaine, "which puts her in a difficult position".[15] A statement said: "Discovering that Alex's wife went missing after an affair with Harrison, Elaine is forced to consider that he may have killed other women too. Plagued by phone calls from Harrison in prison, will Elaine be able to confront her former lover and resist his charms?".[15] Series producer Mike Hobson finished in saying: "Lauren's murder was one of Doctors most popular storylines, and this Red Button event picks up on one of the show's most chilling villains, building across the week to a dramatic conclusion".[15] The first episode aired on 17 September.[15] His return also served as the exit storyline for Elaine.[16]

Marina Bonnaire, portrayed by Marian McLoughlin, first appeared on 25 October 2011 and made her final appearance on 5 March 2012.[17]

It was announced in 2011 that a new health visitor was to join the cast later on in the year. In August, it was confirmed that McLoughlin was to play the role. She was introduced to be the love interest of long-standing regular, Dr. Heston Carter (Owen Brenman). Marina is well-liked by most staff, especially Heston whom she is in a relationship with. Due to her relationship with Heston, receptionist Mrs. Tembe (Lorna Laidlaw) becomes jealous of her as she too has feelings for Heston. Marina eventually moved into Heston's house, to her son Ian's disapproval.

During their relationship, Marina becomes violent and dispassionate towards Heston and has a very short temper. A culmination of these things lead to Heston deciding to end the relationship. He asks Marina to leave the house and she ends up back at her son's place in the hope she could stay. However, Ian sees that she is in the wrong and tells her she has landed herself in this mess.