Main content

Liz Carr, actor and activist

Liz Carr, actor and activist, shares the eight tracks, book and luxury item she would take with her if cast away to a desert island. With Lauren Laverne.

Liz Carr is most widely known for her role as the forensic examiner Clarissa Mullery in the long-running Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TV drama Silent Witness. She appeared in more than 70 episodes, from 2013 until 2020. Last year she won the Olivier award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the National Theatre production of The Normal Heart. Her role was inspired by Dr Linda Laubenstein, a pioneer in the treatment of AIDS and a wheelchair user: Liz was the first wheelchair user to play the part, almost four decades after the premiere.

Liz was brought up in Bebington, Merseyside. One of her early stage roles was as the Cowardly Lion in a primary school production of The Wizard of Oz. She became a wheelchair user at the age of 11, after a protracted illness.

She studied Law at Nottingham University and after graduation worked as a disability rights adviser. She also became a disability rights activist, and more recently has been a campaigner against the legalisation of assisted dying.

When she was 30, Liz decided on a career change after taking part in a drama course with the Graeae Theatre Company. She became a stand-up comedian and a member of various comedy groups, and moved on to theatre and television work, including recent roles in the TV dramas The Witcher and Good Omens.

Liz lives in London with her wife.

DISC ONE: Over the Rainbow - Judy Garland
DISC TWO: Beautiful Dreamer - Sheryl Crow
DISC THREE: Sit Down - James
DISC FOUR: Rollin’ Thunder - Ian Stanton
DISC FIVE: 9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
DISC SIX: Something Good - Julie Andrews
DISC SEVEN: Palliative Clare (from Assisted Suicide The Musical) - Claire Willoughby
DISC EIGHT: I Feel Love - Donna Summer

BOOK CHOICE: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-ExupΓ©ry
LUXURY ITEM: A pair of ruby slippers
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Sit Down – James

Presenter: Lauren Laverne
Producer: Sarah Taylor

Available now

37 minutes

Last on

Fri 24 Mar 2023 09:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Amanda Blanc, businesswoman

Next

Dara Γ“ Briain, comedian and television presenter

See all episodes from Desert Island Discs

Music Played

  • Judy Garland

    Over the Rainbow

    • Judy Garland Sings Harold Arlen.
    • JSP Records.
    • 2.

  • Sheryl Crow

    Beautiful Dreamer

    • Mark Twain: Words & Music.
    • Mailboat Records.
    • 14.

  • James

    Sit Down

    • James: The Best Of.
    • EMI.
    • 2.

  • Ian Stanton

    Rollin' Thunder

    • Piss On Pity Complete by Johnny Crescendo & Ian Stanton.
    • 32.

  • Dolly Parton

    9 to 5

    • The Essential Dolly Parton.
    • Columbia Nashville Legacy.
    • 8.

  • Julie Andrews

    Something Good

    • The Sound of Music.
    • Craft Recordings.
    • 20.

  • Claire Willoughby

    Palliative Clare

  • Donna Summer

    I Feel Love

    • On The Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes I & II.
    • Island Def Jam.
    • 4.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 19 Mar 2023 11:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 24 Mar 2023 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast