If you’ve spent any time in the East End of London—at least the fictional, 1960s version—you know the bike-riding, habit-wearing silhouette of Sister Julienne. She’s the anchor. The calm in the middle of a neighborhood that’s constantly screaming, bleeding, or being torn down to make way for high-rises. Behind that serene wimple is Jenny Agutter, an actress who has been working since she was eleven but somehow found her defining role in a character who rarely raises her voice.
It’s actually wild to think about.
Jenny Agutter has played Sister Julienne since Call the Midwife first flickered onto screens in 2012. We’ve watched her lead Nonnatus House through the end of the 1950s and now, as we hit 2026, deep into the 1970s. She’s outlasted almost everyone. The show has seen original leads like Jessica Raine leave, dozens of midwives come and go, and even a global pandemic in the real world that threatened production. Yet, there’s Julienne. Steady. Persistent.
The Woman Behind the Habit
People often forget that before she was the world’s most famous fictional nun, Jenny Agutter was a massive star in a completely different way. She was the girl in The Railway Children. She was a sci-fi icon in Logan’s Run. She even had a very famous, very different "nurse" role in An American Werewolf in London.
Transitioning from a Hollywood "It Girl" to a nun in a period drama set in a slum shouldn’t have worked this well. But Agutter brings a specific kind of steel to Sister Julienne. Honestly, if the character were just "nice," the show would have folded years ago. Julienne is interesting because she’s constantly balancing her religious vows with a world that is moving faster than the Church can keep up with.
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In recent interviews, Agutter has been open about how much she draws from real life. She once mentioned basing Julienne’s mannerisms on a nun who helped her own sick mother. That "get on with it" attitude? That’s not just clever writing; it’s a reflection of a generation of women who saw two World Wars and just didn't have time for a breakdown.
Why 2026 Is a Massive Year for Sister Julienne
We’re currently looking at Series 15, and the stakes for Nonnatus House have never been higher. It’s 1971. The "swinging sixties" are over, and the realities of the 70s—economic strikes, the rise of the NHS, and the threat of the convent being closed—are knocking at the door.
Jenny Agutter recently teased that this season feels "darker" than previous ones. We’ve already seen the Sisters head to Hong Kong for a "mercy mission" in the Christmas special after a devastating building collapse. It was a brutal watch. Seeing Sister Julienne outside the familiar streets of Poplar, dealing with international tragedy, reminded everyone that she isn’t just a local midwife. She’s a leader who has to make life-or-death calls under immense pressure.
There’s also this constant, nagging rumor: Is Jenny Agutter leaving Call the Midwife?
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Fans panic every time she has a minor health scare on screen. Remember the train crash in Series 11? Half the UK was holding its breath. But here’s the reality: Agutter loves this job. She’s 73 now, and she’s said she finds the work "stimulating." She’s even started directing. She doesn’t seem like someone looking for the exit, even if the show itself is nearing its final chapters.
The Secret to the Agutter Appeal
Why do we care so much? Basically, it’s about empathy.
Call the Midwife isn't just about babies. It's about poverty, racism, disability, and the way society discards people. Sister Julienne is the lens through which we see those things handled with dignity. Agutter plays her with a sort of "radical acceptance." She might not agree with everything her patients do, but she never turns her back on them.
That’s why the show works. In a world that feels increasingly polarized, seeing a woman in a 19th-century outfit treat a "fallen woman" or a struggling immigrant with absolute, unwavering respect is sort of like a warm blanket for the soul.
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What You Should Keep an Eye On
If you're following the latest episodes or catching up on the 2026 season, watch for these themes that Agutter is bringing to the forefront:
- The Clash with Authority: Julienne is increasingly at odds with the "new" way of doing things. The local council wants efficiency; she wants humanity. It’s a battle she’s losing on paper but winning in the community.
- The Aging of the Order: The nuns are getting older. There aren't many new postulants joining. Agutter has hinted that Julienne is grappling with the legacy of Nonnatus House. What happens when they are gone?
- Medical Innovation vs. Tradition: From the introduction of the pill to new surgical techniques, Julienne has to navigate the ethics of her faith versus the progress of science.
What’s Next for the Series?
The BBC has confirmed Series 15 is airing throughout early 2026, and there’s already talk about a movie and a prequel series. Whether Jenny Agutter stays for the entire ride or eventually hangs up the habit, her impact on the show is permanent. You can't have Poplar without Sister Julienne.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to stay updated on the latest news regarding the show's future, the best thing to do is follow the official Call the Midwife Facebook or Instagram pages. They frequently post behind-the-scenes clips of Jenny and the cast. Also, keep an eye on the Cystic Fibrosis Trust; Jenny is a patron and often uses her platform from the show to raise awareness for the disease, which has affected her own family deeply.