Silent Witness fans were left stunned tonight after the departure of lead characters Clarissa Mullery (Liz Carr) and Thomas Chamberlain (Richard Lintern).
The penultimate episode ended with Dr Jack collapsing while trying to help DS Vall who had come into contact with a deadly nerve agent.
His life was hanging in the balance until his fate was revealed tonight.
This was a further blow to viewers who also learned in the same episode that Clarissa was planning to leave the Lyell.
The timeline of her departure wasn’t clear, although it is now clear she will not return for the next season of the BBC drama.
Who is Liz Carr, and why did she quit Silent Witness?
Actress Liz, 47, says she has decided to leave the drama to ‘take a leap of faith’ and pursue other opportunities.
The disabled actress has starred in the crime drama for the last eight years, despite only originally being employed for four episodes as Jack’s sidekick.
She said: ‘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.
‘I am incredibly proud that I leave as the 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,’ she continued.
Liz was born in Bebington in 1972 and only went into acting in her 30s when she played the lead role of Mother Courage in Graeae Theatre Company’s production of the famous Brecht play.
She went on to host the podcast BBC Ouch! and has since toured the world with her comedy and one-woman shows.
In addition to this, she is a vocal disability rights campaigner and previously criticized the BBC for not featuring any disabled actors in their recent Silent Witness trailer.
She entered into a civil partnership with her long-term partner Jo Church in 2010 and the pair are still together.
Series 23 of Silent Witness is available now on BBC iPlayer.
