Interview with Liz Carr

Are there any stories this series you are particularly proud to be telling?
There is a block called One Day that are episodes we've been trying to make for a long time - particularly by myself and the writer Tim Prager who introduced Clarissa and Jack into Silent Witness six series ago. The subject is close to both of our hearts, which is disability hate crime. In the five years since Tim first pitched this theme it has, upsettingly, only become more prevalent. It's a story that hasn’t been told on TV before and to be part of this has been a great honour. I'm immensely proud of the resulting episodes and hope it both entertains and provokes discussion when it's aired.

Is Clarissa surprised to see Nikki back at the Lyell so soon after Mexico?
Clarissa obviously worries about Nikki, knowing she's been through such a life-changing time in Mexico, but she isn't a sentimental person. She’s a pragmatist who realises that people heal and deal with trauma in their own way. I think she's initially surprised but ultimately knows that coming back to work is a very Nikki thing to do.

Max is back this series! Did you find there was a good reaction from fans when they found more about Clarissa’s personal life?
This time last year I was really eager to see what the audience would think of Clarissa's husband, not least because I'd played a part in the writing and casting of Dan Weyman as Max. I really hoped we'd got it right as it was important to me to show a disabled woman in a good, long term, loving relationship, which is something we don't see enough of on TV and something I never saw on screen when I was growing up. I'm thrilled Max is back and equally thrilled the audience seemed to approve of the other man in Clarissa's life!

What qualities do you think each member of the team each brings to the Lyell unit?
Nikki has so much heart. Perhaps too much at times, but her keen sense of justice and her integrity and humanity make her strong and vulnerable in equal measure. Jack is brilliant at his job, single minded, and whilst he doesn't suffer fools gladly he is intensely loyal to those he respects. Thomas's mind is sharp with necessary diplomacy and has a strong faith in his team even if he doesn't always approve of their methods or actions. Clarissa has intelligence, common sense and a down-to-earth sense of humour which are integral to how she does her job and how she lives her life.

Last year was Silent Witness’s 20th Anniversary. Were you happy with the reaction from fans, particularly to the Mexico episodes?
More than ever, I get stopped in the street with people desperate to know if Nikki survived Mexico, if there will be another series, if anyone be killed off and if will there be more Clarissa. Viewers are so invested in the characters and the stories. It's always fun being able to reassure them that Nikki survived, that there'll be another series and that there will more Clarissa than ever before in this series. However, as for anyone being killed off, I couldn't possibly comment!

Episode synopses

Moment Of Surrender (episodes one and two)
Written by Ed Whitmore, Directed by Charles Palmer
When Nikki’s (Emilia Fox) pathologist friend Sally Vaughn (Emma Fielding) disappears, suspicion falls on her colleague, David Cannon (Julian Rhind-Tutt), who is invited to work at the Lyell while police investigate Sally’s disappearance. Nikki is tasked with keeping close watch over his movements as his behaviour becomes increasingly erratic.

Duty Of Candour (episodes three and four)
Written by Matthew Arlidge, Directed by Destiny Ekaragha
A series of tragic events are linked to the hacking of a hospital database and the subsequent blackmailing of patients in return for silence over their guilty secrets.

A Special Relationship (episodes five and six)
Written by Graham Mitchell, Directed by Diarmuid Goggins
A US Diplomat is shot dead in a central London square, forcing Nikki (Emilia Fox), Jack (David Caves), Clarissa (Liz Carr) and Thomas (Richard Lintern) to work closely with the Embassy and the FBI to overcome jurisdictional hurdles.

One Day (episodes seven and eight)
Written by Timothy Prager, Directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan
A road traffic accident leads to the Lyell team uncovering a large number of abuse cases in a group of homes providing assisted living to those with disabilities. The team - Clarissa in particular - has to fight not only for justice but against prejudice and discrimination.

Family (episodes nine and ten)
Written by Michael Crompton, Directed by Colin Teague
It's Christmas morning and Nikki, Jack, Thomas and Clarissa are just settling down for their respective festive celebrations when they are interrupted by a call-out to a family home - and the horrific aftermath of a shooting spree.