Julia Parsons (also McGuire) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera Doctors, portrayed by Diane Keen.

She was introduced as the ex-wife of Mac McGuire (Christopher Timothy) who begins working as a receptionist at the Riverside Health Centre alongside him.

She made her onscreen debut on 13 January 2003 and her storylines throughout her tenure see Julia get remarried to Mac, become the practice manager of the surgery and expanding their endeavours, getting accused of blowing up their surgery, a second divorce from Mac and meeting a new love interest in Martin Millar (Miles Anderson).

Julia begins working on reception at the Riverside Health Centre alongside ex-husband Mac McGuire (Christopher Timothy).

Julia catches Mac kissing his ex-wife Kate McGuire (Maggie Cronin) and forces them to leave with their son.

Julia, now divorced, buys Mac's share of the surgery, now renamed the Mill Health Centre, and becomes the practice manager.

Julia reluctantly dismisses her friend Donna Parmar (Martha Howe-Douglas) due to a breach of patient confidentiality.

Whilst at home recovering from the disease, she becomes the victim of sexual assault by colleague Charlie Bradfield (Philip McGough), who is later reported and dismissed from the Mill for misconduct.

Julia returns to the Mill years later after she hears that her former colleague Jimmi Clay (Adrian Lewis Morgan) is being released from prison after being wrongfully convicted.

On her BBC character profile, Julia was described as "a little formidable and very efficient" person who is determined to do her job well, while still being "mischievous and will take the mickey given half a chance.

[2] She listed Julia's storyline highlights as being accused of blowing up Riverside, being in prison, being strangled by a boyfriend, opening another surgery, and being proposed to "by one of the most gorgeous guys on the planet (actor Ray Fearon)", who she turns down.

"[2] After Keen made the decision to leave Doctors after nine years, Miles Anderson was cast as Martin to coincide with the departure of Julia.

[3] Digital Spy said of her departure storyline" "Fans should also keep an eye out for a possible new love interest for Julia when she gets to know garage owner Martin Millar in a few weeks' time.

[3] In November 2019, Doctors began filming for their 20th anniversary, and it was announced that as part of the celebrations for the milestone, Keen would return onscreen in March 2020.