It is actually kind of wild when you think about it. Most shows start to fall apart after five or six years. The leads get bored, the writing gets stale, and everyone moves on to prestige dramas or Marvel movies. But the cast of Call the Midwife has managed to keep the lights on at Nonnatus House for over a decade. Since 2012, we’ve watched Poplar transform from a post-war slum into a colorful, swinging sixties neighborhood, and the revolving door of nurses and nuns has become one of the most comforting—and sometimes heartbreaking—parts of British television.
People always ask why the show survives so many exits. Honestly? It's the structure. Because it’s an ensemble piece based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, the show was never really about just one person. When Jessica Raine left as Jenny Lee way back in Season 3, everyone thought the show was doomed. It wasn't. It just grew.
The Veterans Keeping the Heart Beating
If you’ve been watching since the beginning, you know that Stephen McGann (Dr. Patrick Turner) and Judy Parfitt (Sister Monica Joan) are basically the pillars of the show. McGann isn’t just an actor here; he’s actually married to the show’s creator, Heidi Thomas. That’s probably why Dr. Turner feels like the most consistent, empathetic presence in the history of medical dramas. He’s the guy who stays.
Then there is Jenny Agutter. As Sister Julienne, she’s the steady hand. Agutter has this incredible ability to play "calm" without being "boring." She’s been in the industry forever—think Walkabout or The Railway Children—and she brings that old-school gravitas to every scene where the convent is threatened by a lack of funding or a change in the Church.
But let’s talk about Judy Parfitt. She’s in her late 80s now. Sister Monica Joan is arguably the most complex character because she represents the bridge between the Victorian era and the modern world. One minute she’s quoting obscure theology, and the next she’s stealing cake. She’s the soul of the house. Without her, the cast of Call the Midwife would lose its connection to the past.
The Evolution of Trixie Franklin
Helen George has had quite the journey. When Trixie first showed up, she was the "party girl." She liked gin, high fashion, and looking for a husband. Fast forward to the most recent seasons, and she’s a seasoned professional who has battled alcoholism and found love with Matthew Aylward (played by Olly Rix).
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It hasn't been smooth sailing, though. Fans were pretty rattled during Season 13 when rumors swirled about Olly Rix leaving the show. In this business, "creative differences" or "storyline progression" usually means a character is getting written out, and the tension between Trixie and Matthew’s financial struggles added a layer of realism that most cozy dramas shy away from.
Why Do Actors Keep Leaving?
It’s the "Midwife Curse," though that's a bit dramatic. Working on a show like this is a massive commitment. They film in the freezing cold of Chatham Dockyard, and the schedule is grueling.
- Emerald Fennell (Patsy Mount): She left to pursue writing and directing. Now she has an Oscar for Promising Young Woman. Not a bad career move.
- Charlotte Ritchie (Barbara Hereward): Her exit was one of the most traumatic. Dying of septicemia? Nobody saw that coming. She’s since moved on to Ghosts and You.
- Leonora Elliott (Lucille Anderson): Her departure in Season 12 dealt with some heavy themes, specifically the racism of the era and the mental health toll it took on the Windrush generation.
Basically, the show serves as a launchpad. If you can handle the emotional weight of a Call the Midwife script, you can handle anything.
The New Guard and the Future of Poplar
The cast of Call the Midwife recently welcomed some fresh faces to keep the energy up. Megan Cusack as Nancy Corrigan brought a totally different vibe—a bit chaotic, very Irish, and deeply human because of her secret daughter. Then you have the newcomers like Joyce Highland (Renee Bailey) and Rosalind Clifford (Natalie Quarry).
What’s interesting about the newer seasons is how they handle the integration of the nurses into the community. It’s not just about the births anymore. It’s about the housing crisis, the introduction of the contraceptive pill, and the changing face of the NHS. The actors have to play these roles with a specific type of period-accurate restraint that still resonates with a 2026 audience. It’s a tough balance.
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Cliff Parisi and the Comic Relief
We have to mention Fred Buckle. Cliff Parisi (who many remember from EastEnders) provides the levity. Whether he’s trying to sell garden gnomes or organizing a local fair, Fred is the neighborhood's heartbeat. His marriage to Violet (Annabelle Apsion) is one of the most realistic portrayals of middle-aged love on TV. They bicker about the council; they worry about Reggie. It’s simple, but it’s the glue that holds the subplots together.
The Reality of the "Midwife" Schedule
They usually film from spring through the end of the year. This includes the legendary Christmas Special, which has become a literal institution in the UK and abroad. For the cast of Call the Midwife, this means spending their actual summers wearing heavy wool coats and pretending it’s a freezing December in 1960s London.
The production is notoriously secretive about contracts. Most fans don't know who is returning until the first table-read photos hit Instagram. That’s why the speculation around the Season 14 and 15 renewals was so intense. When the BBC confirmed the show would run through at least 2026, there was a collective sigh of relief, but also a realization that more favorites would probably leave before the end.
Handling the History
One thing the actors always talk about in interviews is the "baby whisperer." There’s a specialized member of the crew who handles the newborns used on set. Most of the babies you see are only a few days or weeks old. The cast has to be trained in how to handle them while delivering dialogue about complex medical procedures like pre-eclampsia or breech births.
Laura Main, who plays Shelagh Turner, has spoken about how she basically learned to be a "fake midwife" over the years. She went from being a nun (Sister Bernadette) to a wife and mother, and her medical knowledge on screen is now so polished she could probably give real advice in a pinch. Probably not, but she looks the part.
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Misconceptions About the Show
People think it’s "twee." They see the bicycles and the hats and think it’s just a nice show for Sunday night. But the cast of Call the Midwife deals with some of the most harrowing stuff on television. We’re talking about:
- The Thalidomide tragedy.
- Illegal abortions before the 1967 Act.
- Extreme poverty and domestic abuse.
- The social stigma of "unmarried mothers."
The actors have to navigate these topics without making them feel like a history lesson. It has to feel like it’s happening now.
Keeping Up with the Cast
If you want to stay updated on what the actors are doing, your best bet is following the official social media channels, though many of the older cast members stay off the grid. Helen George and Stephen McGann are usually the most active, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of the "Nonnatus House" set (which is actually a set at Longcross Studios and the historic dockyards in Chatham).
As we look toward the later 1960s and eventually the 1970s, the cast of Call the Midwife will inevitably change again. The show is moving toward a time where the traditional "district nurse" model began to shift. How the characters adapt to the modernization of the medical field will be the next big hurdle for the writers.
Next Steps for Fans
To truly appreciate the performances, you should look into the real-life history of the Windrush generation to understand the context of Lucille’s departure, or read Jennifer Worth's original trilogy of books. They provide the gritty foundation that the actors use to build their characters. Also, keep an eye on the BBC and PBS casting announcements mid-year; that’s usually when the "new" nurses for the upcoming season are revealed. Check the official "Call the Midwife" tour at Chatham Dockyard if you’re ever in Kent—you can see the actual locations where the cast films the outdoor scenes.