Sid Vere

Sid Vere
Doctors character
Portrayed byAshley Rice
Duration2015–2024
First appearance"The Hope"
27 April 2015 (2015-04-27)
Last appearance"One Day Like This"
14 November 2024 (2024-11-14)
ClassificationFormer; regular
Introduced byWill Trotter
In-universe information
OccupationGeneral practitioner
First responder
FatherTye Vere
MotherEstelle Vere
BrothersLaurence Richards

Dr. Sid Vere is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Ashley Rice. Sid made his first appearance on 27 April 2015 as an F2 doctor at the fictional Mill Health Centre. His storylines in the programme have included his relationships with colleagues Ayesha Lee (Laura Rollins) and Zara Carmichael (Elisabeth Dermot Walsh) and discovering his brother, Laurence Richards (Rishard Beckett). For his role as Sid, Rice has been nominated for various accolades including Newcomer at the 21st National Television Awards and the British Soap Award for Best Actor in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Characterisation

In an interview with the BBC, Rice commented on his similarities to Sid, saying: "Both of us will talk to anyone, and more often than not for a little too long. But I think we do it for different reasons. [Sid] just has to fill the silence. He is smarter than me, and that's always difficult, playing someone more intellectual than you, but he sometimes really struggles to read people so I have to be oblivious to certain things. Most challenging aspect would be his energy. I'm laid back and he's not. Finding it and using that energy well is sometimes tricky, and now having watched some scenes back, I still think it needs more. But we'll get there eventually. I hope."[1] When asked for his opinion on his character, Rice stated: "Oh, he's so annoying, isn't he? I annoy myself playing him sometimes. And despite being quite bright he can completely miss the point sometimes. But he does have a good heart and only wants to do his best. I had a help from the directors in finding and using Sid's nervous energy, one in particular springs to mind."[1] He added: "the hardest part is thinking and speaking as quickly as he does, he doesn't pause for breath. So, if I stutter, pause or drop the ball when I shouldn't, it's back to the top."[1]

Storylines

Sid arrives at the Mill Health Centre as an F2 doctor having completed two prior placements before working there.[2] Heston Carter (Owen Brenman) wants to be Sid's mentor, but Howard Bellamy (Ian Kelsey) allocates him Zara Carmichael (Elisabeth Dermot Walsh).[2] Zara preys upon his insecurities and bullies him, telling him to reconsider his occupation.[3] After being verbally abused by a patient, Sid talks to Heston, finding him easier to talk to than Zara.[4] Sid begins to date colleague Ayesha Lee (Laura Rollins),[5][6] but when he tries to move the relationship too quickly, Ayesha dumps him.[7] Eventually, Sid leaves the Mill and launches an action against Zara for bullying in the workplace.[8] Several months later, a newly qualified Sid returns and takes up a position as a GP. Sid and Zara resolve their differences.[9] After a Christmas party at the Mill, Sid goes home with Zara, and the pair have sex.[10][11] Zara's partner Daniel Granger (Matthew Chambers) sees and does not react.[10] However, when they are work, Daniel lashes out and punches Sid.[10]

Sid collapses at the Mill, and arsenic is found in his blood.[12] Ayesha suspects that he has been poisoned by patient Charlotte Hill (Debra Stephenson).[13] Sid discovers that his parents Estelle (Suzette Llewellyn) and Tye Vere (Daniel Hill) had another child before Sid was born.[14] After reading their confidential medical notes, it is revealed that his brother, Laurence Richards (Rishard Beckett), has Down's syndrome, and that Estelle and Tye left him at the hospital as a newborn.[15] Sid manages to track him down, where Laurence explains that he is happy with his life.[16] When Imogen Hollins (Charlie Clemmow) is in Letherbridge, the pair flirt with each other.[17] When Imogen's mother, Karen Hollins (Jan Pearson), finds out, she is initially unhappy due to Sid's relationship history.[18][19][20] However, when Karen's husband Rob Hollins (Chris Walker) persuades her that Sid is a reliable person, Karen sets them up.[21] When Sid and Imogen have sex, he discovers a lump on her breast.[22] He does an inspection, and refers her to a private clinic.[23] Despite Imogen not having cancer, the pair agree that the spark in the relationship has gone due to the incident.[24]

Reception

At the 21st National Television Awards, Rice was longlisted for the Newcomer award.[25] For his portrayal of Sid, Rice was longlisted for Best Actor at the British Soap Awards in 2017, 2018 and 2019.[26][27][28] He was also shortlisted for Best Male Acting Performance at the 2019 RTS Midlands Awards.[29] Then in 2023, Rice received a nomination for the British Soap Award for Best Leading Performer.[30]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Ashley Rice Interview". BBC. Archived from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b "The Mill gets a new trainee". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  3. ^ "Zara has sound advice for Sid". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Does Sid want a new mentor?". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Ayesha goes on a date with Sid". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  6. ^ "Will Sid let Ayesha down?". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  7. ^ "Is Sid moving too fast for Ayesha?". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  8. ^ "Zara says goodbye to Sid". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  9. ^ "BBC One - Doctors - Sid Vere". BBC. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  10. ^ a b c "Doctors spoilers: Ouch! Sid Vere gets punched... but by who?". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  11. ^ "Doctors spoilers: Is this the end for Zara Carmichael and Daniel Granger?". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 10 January 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  12. ^ "Doctors spoilers: Sid Vere collapses... has he been poisoned?". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  13. ^ "Doctors spoilers: Is Charlotte Hill behind Sid Vere's poisoning?". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 7 March 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  14. ^ "Doctors spoilers: Sid Vere confronts his parents about the SHOCK family secret". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  15. ^ "Doctors spoilers: Will Sid Vere snoop through CONFIDENTIAL medical records?". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  16. ^ "Doctors spoilers: Sid Vere meets his long-lost brother Laurence!". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 24 May 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  17. ^ "Doctors spoilers: Ruhma in premature baby heartbreak". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  18. ^ "Doctors spoilers: Karen and Imogen fall out over Sid". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  19. ^ "Doctors spoilers: Butterflies' Wendy Craig and Bruce Montague guest star". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  20. ^ "Doctors spoilers: Ex-Corrie star Nick Cochrane guest stars". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 28 December 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  21. ^ "Doctors spoilers: Daniel Granger pops the question to Becky Clarke?". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  22. ^ "Doctors spoilers: SHOCK for Sid Vere and Imogen Hollins..." What's on TV. Archived from the original on 11 October 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  23. ^ "Doctors spoilers: Imogen Hollins reveals breast cancer fears..." What's on TV. Archived from the original on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  24. ^ "Doctors spoilers: Is Imogen Hollins in denial about SHOCK health news?". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 12 October 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  25. ^ "National Television Awards 2016: Manchester features heavily in nominee list". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  26. ^ "British Soap Awards 2017 – find out who's on the longlist". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  27. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel. "British Soap Awards 2018 nominations revealed: Which Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Doctors stars are up?". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  28. ^ Dainty, Sophie. "British Soap Awards 2019 nominations revealed: Which Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Doctors stars are up?". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 3 August 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  29. ^ "RTS Midlands Awards 2019". RTS Awards. 17 September 2019. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  30. ^ Cormack, Morgan (11 April 2023). "British Soap Awards 2023 longlist: EastEnders' Ravi vs Corrie's Stephen". Radio Times. Retrieved 11 April 2023.