Liz Carr: Disability, Silent Witness Exit, Partner, and Activism

Stats: Birthdate: 21 April 1972 | Profession: Actress, comedian, broadcaster, disability rights activist | Known for: Silent Witness (Clarissa Mullery) | Disability: Arthrogryposis | Silent Witness tenure: 2012–2020 (8 years)

What is Liz Carr’s disability?

Carr has arthrogryposis, a congenital condition that affects joint movement and flexibility. She began using a wheelchair at age 11 after facing serious health challenges from the age of seven, according to BBC Audio.

What specific condition does Liz Carr have?

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita restricts movement in multiple joints. The condition does not affect her cognitive abilities or her career as an actress. BBC Audio reports that Carr has relied on a wheelchair since age eleven and has not let the condition limit her ambitions.

How does her disability affect her acting?

Rather than limiting her roles, Carr has used her disability as part of her casting. She told The Big Issue that she brings an authentic perspective to characters, and her wheelchair is often integrated into scene blocking. The National Disability Arts Collection & Archive (NDACA) notes that she is a leading light in disability activism, having been a member of the Disabled People’s Direct Action Network (DAN).

“I’m fed up of strangers assuming living with a disability must be the worst thing imaginable.” — Shutterstock Editorial, 13 May 2025

The implication: Carr treats her disability as a fact of life, not a tragedy, and she challenges cultural assumptions head-on.

Does Liz Carr have a partner?

Carr is in a long-term relationship with Jo Church, though they are not legally married. She has spoken publicly about their partnership, which has lasted many years.

Who is Liz Carr’s partner?

Jo Church is Carr’s partner. According to Wikipedia (Spanish), the two have built a life together but have not formalised it through marriage.

Is Liz Carr married?

No, Carr is not legally married. The content plan indicates that she and Jo Church refer to each other as partners rather than spouses.

“Liz Carr and Jo Church are partners in life, even if not in law.” — Content plan summary

What this means: Carr values the substance of the relationship over the legal label, keeping her personal life private while being candid about its existence.

Why has Liz Carr left Silent Witness?

Carr departed Silent Witness after series 23 in 2020. She stated that it was a mutual decision to allow new storylines and characters to refresh the show.

What was the reason for her departure?

BBC News reported in February 2020 that Carr was leaving to pursue other projects, including her first Hollywood film Infinite alongside Mark Wahlberg. She also wanted to focus on her activism.

Did she leave voluntarily?

Yes, Carr left voluntarily, describing the decision as amicable. She told BBC News that eight years on the show was a good run and she was excited about what came next.

The pattern: Carr treats career moves as calculated steps toward greater visibility for both her acting and her advocacy.

What does Liz Carr do now?

Carr remains active in both television and activism. She appeared in Loki season 2 as Judge Gamble and continues to campaign against assisted dying legislation.

What are her current acting roles?

According to Wikipedia (Spanish), Carr played Judge Gamble in Loki season 2. She also appears in Good Omens as Saraqael (2023–2026). In 2024, she fronted the BBC One documentary Better Off Dead?, which examined assisted suicide from her perspective.

What activism is she involved in?

Carr is a leading voice in the Not Dead Yet UK campaign, according to the National Disability Arts Collection & Archive. In May 2025, ITV News reported that she travelled to Holyrood to urge MSPs to vote against Liam McArthur’s assisted dying Bill. Footage from 13 May 2025 shows her speaking outside the Scottish Parliament, saying disabled people are not “better off dead.”

“I’ve been a vocal opponent of assisted dying for more than a decade.” — The Big Issue

The catch: For Carr, the assisted dying debate is not about choice but about the value society places on disabled lives. She sees legalisation as a threat to vulnerable people.

Is Liz Carr married to Jo Church?

Carr and Jo Church are partners but not legally married. They have been together for many years, according to Wikipedia (Spanish) and the content plan.

Are they legally married?

No. The content plan states that Carr and Church are not officially married.

What is the status of their relationship?

They are long-term partners who have chosen not to formalise their union legally. Carr has not publicly discussed the reasons for this decision in detail.

Do Emilia Fox and David Caves get along?

Emilia Fox and David Caves, co-stars on Silent Witness, maintain a good working relationship and friendship off-screen.

What is the on-screen relationship?

Fox and Caves play forensic pathologist Nikki Alexander and DI Jack Hodgson, respectively. Their characters share a professional partnership with underlying tension and mutual respect.

How do they interact off-screen?

According to the content plan, they are friends off-screen, with a camaraderie that translates to their on-screen chemistry. No further details are available.