If you’re anything like the millions of us who tune in to Call the Midwife every Sunday, you probably felt that collective gut-punch when Matthew Aylward started spiraling. One minute he’s the "white knight" in a tailored suit saving Nonnatus House from financial ruin, and the next, he’s snapping at Trixie over a new car and packing his bags for New York. It was jarring. Honestly, it felt like whiplash for a character who had been built up as the ultimate "gentleman" for three seasons.
The departure of Olly Rix as Matthew Aylward in season 13 left a massive, gaping hole in the show. Fans were—and still are—pretty divided. Some saw his exit as a realistic look at how pride can destroy a man in the 1960s. Others? Well, they’re still calling it "character assassination" on social media.
What Actually Happened to Matthew in Poplar?
Let’s look at the facts. Matthew didn’t just leave because he wanted a hot dog in Manhattan. The guy was drowning. By episode 6 of season 13, it came out that Matthew had basically run Aylward Estates into the ground. We’re talking a debt of over £250,000. In 1969, that was an astronomical amount of money—over £3 million by today’s standards.
He was fired from the board of his own family company. His salary was cut off. His car was repossessed.
The most painful part wasn't the money, though. It was the way he treated Trixie. He hid the truth until the bailiffs were essentially at the door, and then he had the nerve to act like she was the problem for spending a little on her wardrobe. It was a classic 1960s "man of the house" ego trip that went south fast. Matthew felt he couldn’t be a man in Poplar if he wasn't the one paying the bills.
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The New York "Lifeline"
So, where is he? He’s in New York.
Matthew's old school friend offered him a business opportunity in the States. He didn't ask Trixie; he told her. He took young Jonty and headed for the Big Apple, leaving Trixie behind in a state of emotional limbo. It was a brutal way to end a marriage that we all cheered for during that beautiful (if chaotic) wedding at the end of season 12.
Why Olly Rix Left the Show
This is where things get a bit messy in real life. While the character moved to New York for business, the actor’s exit seemed much more abrupt behind the scenes.
For months, rumors swirled that Olly Rix had been "blindsided" by the writers. In June 2025, Rix finally broke his silence in an interview with HELLO! magazine. He didn’t hold back. He admitted he "didn't like the way it ended" and felt he wasn't "treated with much integrity or respect."
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- Behind the scenes tension: Rix mentioned he felt "isolated and alone" during his final months on set.
- The "No-Acceptance" Statement: In a rare move for a TV production, Call the Midwife actually issued a statement saying they "do not accept" Rix’s claims, insisting the set is a nurturing environment.
- A New Chapter: Regardless of the drama, Olly Rix has officially moved on. He joined the cast of the long-running BBC medical drama Casualty as Flynn Byron.
Seeing him in scrubs at Holby General pretty much confirms he won't be strolling back into Nonnatus House for a cup of tea with Sister Julienne anytime soon.
Is Matthew Coming Back for Season 14 or 15?
Short answer: Don't hold your breath.
While the showrunners technically left "the door open" (the old TV trick of not killing a character off), the narrative has already moved on. In the season 14 premiere, we see Trixie returning from a visit to New York. She’s back in Poplar, back in her uniform, and notably sans husband.
By the Christmas special in 2025, Trixie basically closes the book on an immediate reunion. She mentions that Matthew has to stay in New York until at least the autumn to handle business, while she needed to get Jonty home to start school. It feels like a very "convenient" way to keep him off-screen indefinitely.
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Why This Storyline Actually Works for Trixie
It sounds harsh, but Matthew’s absence has actually been great for Trixie’s character. For a few seasons, she was "The Wife." She was the lady of the manor. Now? She’s the fierce, independent midwife we fell in love with back in the early days. She’s getting involved in Women’s Lib and focusing on her clinical work.
Without the "white knight" to catch her, Trixie is proving she can stand on her own two feet. It’s a bittersweet return to form.
What Fans Can Do Now
If you're still mourning the loss of the Aylward family dynamic, there are a few ways to keep the "Matthew Era" alive or move past it:
- Re-watch Season 12: If you want to remember Matthew as the hero, go back to the season 12 finale. The wedding is still one of the high points of the series.
- Follow the Actor: Check out Olly Rix in Casualty. It’s a completely different vibe—modern, gritty, and fast-paced—but it shows his range as an actor.
- Watch Season 14 and 15: Pay attention to Trixie’s letters and phone calls. The writers are using these "long-distance" moments to slowly transition her back into a single storyline.
The reality of Call the Midwife is that characters come and go like the tide in the Thames. From Jenny Lee to Chummy to Lucille, we’ve seen favorites vanish before. Matthew Aylward was a great chapter, but the book of Poplar is still being written.
Keep an eye on Trixie’s career progression in the upcoming episodes; it’s clear the show is setting her up for a major leadership role at Nonnatus House, which might never have happened if she were busy being a socialite in a Barbican flat.