If you’ve spent any time watching the midwives of Nonnatus House navigate the grit and grace of 1960s East London, you know there is one face that consistently steals every scene. He’s the one with the big heart, the sharp sense of humor, and a way of making even the grumpiest characters crack a smile.
His name is Reggie Jackson.
But who plays Reggie on Call the Midwife? That would be the incredibly talented Daniel Laurie.
Daniel joined the cast back in 2017 during Series 6, and honestly, the show hasn't been the same since. He didn't just walk onto the set; he became the emotional anchor for the Buckle family.
The Tragic and Touching Arrival of Reggie Jackson
When we first met Reggie, it wasn't exactly under happy circumstances. His introduction was one of those "keep the tissues handy" moments the show is famous for.
Basically, Reggie was left entirely alone after his mother, Ivy, suffered a fatal heart attack while at church. It was a brutal way to enter the story. He was found at home, confused and waiting for a mother who wasn't coming back. This could have been a fleeting, tragic guest spot, but the writers had bigger plans.
Fred Buckle, played by Cliff Parisi, stepped up.
Fred is Reggie’s second cousin, and seeing the two of them bond is one of the most genuine portrayals of male friendship and mentorship on British TV. Along with Violet (Annabelle Apsion), they became a surrogate family.
Daniel Laurie: The Actor Behind the Icon
Daniel Laurie is a 29-year-old actor who has become a household name because of this role. He was born in 1995 and has Down’s syndrome, and he’s been very open about how his path to acting wasn't exactly a smooth one.
Bullying. It's a word that comes up when Daniel talks about his school days. In interviews, he’s shared that he actually had to leave his education because people were so cruel to him. He walked out and didn't look back.
But here’s the cool part: acting found him when he was 17.
His mother, Jane, helped him find his way into a drama school in South West London. It turns out that performing was the "safe haven" he needed. It wasn't just a hobby; it was a career.
A Very Famous Father
If you think the name Laurie sounds familiar or you see a certain spark in his eyes, there’s a reason for that. Daniel is the son of the late Leslie Grantham.
Yeah, that Leslie Grantham. "Dirty Den" from EastEnders.
It's a bit of a "small world" situation because Cliff Parisi (Fred) actually worked with Leslie on the set of EastEnders years ago. Now, Cliff is basically a second dad to Leslie’s son on the set of Call the Midwife.
Leslie passed away in 2018, but before he did, he saw his son becoming a star in his own right. Daniel’s mom once recalled how Leslie looked at Daniel as a baby and said that while life has hard things, being a dad to him wasn't one of them.
Why Reggie Matters So Much
Reggie isn't just a "token" character. The show treats him with real agency. He has a job—working as Fred’s assistant in the shop. He has a girlfriend, Jane. He has opinions, he gets frustrated, and he has a social life at the Glasshouse Trust, the care facility where he lives most of the time.
He represents a shift in how the 1960s (and modern TV) viewed people with disabilities.
In Series 13 and 14, we’ve seen Reggie grow even more. He’s often the one giving advice to the older characters, especially Cyril Robinson (Zephryn Taitte). Their friendship is pure gold.
More Than Just Poplar
While we all know him best as Reggie, Daniel Laurie has a pretty solid resume building up. You might have spotted him in:
- Stella: He played Jamie in this Sky One comedy-drama alongside Ruth Jones.
- Vera: He had a guest spot as Adam Beecher in 2020.
- Finding Alice: He played Zach in this ITV drama with Keeley Hawes and Joanna Lumley.
- The Dark Tower: He even landed a role as Sheemie in this 2020 adaptation.
What’s Next for Reggie?
The good news for fans is that Reggie isn't going anywhere. Call the Midwife has been confirmed through Series 15, which is set to air in 2026.
Daniel continues to be a vocal advocate for neurodiversity in the workplace. He’s given keynote talks about why businesses should hire people with learning disabilities, basically proving he’s just as much of a hero in real life as he is in Poplar.
If you're looking to catch up on his best moments, most of his early episodes from Series 6 onwards are available on BBC iPlayer or PBS, depending on where you're watching from.
Keep an eye on these specific Daniel Laurie performances:
- Series 6, Episode 6: His debut. It’s heartbreaking, but it sets the stage for everything.
- The 2020 Christmas Special: His scenes with Fred are particularly moving here.
- Series 12, Episode 2: Reggie deals with some health anxieties that Daniel plays with incredible nuance.
Daniel Laurie didn't just take a job on a period drama; he changed the DNA of the show. He reminds us that even in a world as chaotic as the 1960s East End, there is always room for kindness and a good cup of tea.
The best way to support Daniel's work is to keep tuning in for Series 14 and 15. You can also follow the official Call the Midwife social media channels, where the cast often shares behind-the-scenes clips of Daniel and Cliff Parisi hanging out between takes.