Call the Midwife cast - Meet the new and returning characters
Helen George and the stars of Call the Midwife return for the Christmas special.
'Tis the season to plonk yourself on the sofa with all of your favourite snacks and enjoy the Call the Midwife Christmas special.
And in big news, there are not one, but two festive episodes to enjoy this year, each an hour in length – which means we'll be spending an extra 30 minutes with the gang in Poplar.
"Who doesn't love finding an extra, unexpected present underneath the Christmas tree?" said creator and writer Heidi Thomas.
"When I was asked to write a two-part Christmas special for 2024, I couldn't resist!"
The midwives are "all busy delivering babies and doing the job they are most dedicated and committed to", while Poplar also welcomes a funfair, which adds "a burst of colour and excitement to the frosty landscape".
But there will be challenges, including influenza and the Hong Kong flu, not to mention an escaped prisoner.
As the neighbourhood prepares for a carol concert, "fears grow that he may be in the local area after a spate of break-ins".
Elsewhere, "the Turner children are caught up in the fever surrounding the Blue Peter Christmas appeal to collect dinky cars and scrap metal, Trixie makes a fleeting visit to Nonnatus House and is delighted to see her brother Geoffrey, and Miss Higgins has her grandson Harry stay for Christmas".
Read more:
- Call the Midwife star says things "get out of control" for the Buckles in Christmas special
- Call the Midwife star on Miss Higgins's grandson: 'She’ll never be the same again'
Violet also has her hands full hosting a mince pie competition, "but the Buckles' preparations for Reggie’s homecoming are thrown into turmoil".
A number of familiar faces have returned for the special, plus some brand new guest stars.
Read on for a rundown of the Call the Midwife Christmas special cast.
Call the Midwife cast
- Helen George plays Trixie Aylward (née Franklin)
- Stephen McGann plays Patrick Turner
- Laura Main plays Shelagh Turner
- Jenny Agutter plays Sister Julienne
- Linda Bassett plays Phyllis Crane
- Judy Parfitt plays Sister Monica Joan
- Megan Cusack plays Nancy Corrigan
- Rebecca Gethings plays Sister Veronica
- Renee Bailey plays Joyce Highland
- Natalie Quarry plays Rosalind Clifford
- Georgie Glen plays Miss Higgins
- Zephryn Taitte plays Cyril Robinson
- Cliff Parisi plays Fred Buckle
- Annabelle Apsion plays Violet Buckle
- Daniel Laurie plays Reggie Jackson
- Christopher Harper plays Geoffrey Franklin
- Francesca Fullilove plays Colette Corrigan
- Alice Brown plays Angela Turner
- April Rae Hoang plays May
- Edward Shaw plays Edward 'Teddy' Turner
- Dame Vanessa Redgrave as the voice of Jennifer Worth
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For more information about the cast of the Call the Midwife, read on...
Helen George plays Trixie Franklin
Who is Trixie Aylward? A capable and talented midwife who is now one of the most experienced members of the team. She is a recovering alcoholic, something that reared its head last season when her marriage was put under great strain due to financial troubles.
At the end of season 13, Trixie left London to live in New York with her husband Matthew, who is exploring a new business opportunity.
What else has Helen George been in? Helen George has been with Call the Midwife since day one. Her other TV appearances have included Red Dwarf, Nativity Rocks!, Doctors and Hotel Babylon, and in 2015 she came sixth in Strictly Come Dancing with her pro partner Aljaz Skorjanec. Helen actually also met her partner Jack Ashton when they co-starred in Call the Midwife; he played the Reverend Tom until the end of season 7 and they have two daughters, Wren and Lark.
Stephen McGann plays Patrick Turner
Who is Patrick Turner? The local GP, who works closely with Nonnatus House. He is devoted to his job and works tirelessly to serve the people of Poplar. Dr Turner is married to Shelagh and they have four children.
What else has Stephen McGann been in? Stephen McGann is actually married to Call the Midwife creator and writer Heidi Thomas. He is also the brother of Doctor Who actor Paul McGann, and like his character Dr Turner, he is a man of science – having studied for a Masters in Science Communication and written a book, Flesh and Blood, based on the personal and medical history of his family. McGann previously played Sean Reynolds in Emmerdale.
Laura Main plays Shelagh Turner
Who is Shelagh Turner? When we first met her, she was Sister Bernadette – but then she gave up being a nun and left the Order to marry Dr Turner. The Turners now have four children together (adopted and biological), and Shelagh continues to work closely with Nonnatus House; she often steps in to work as a midwife or lend a hand when help is needed.
What else has Laura Main been in? Laura Main's acting career has mainly been in theatre, after she first starred in a production of The Sound of Music at the age of 11; recently she played Princess Fiona in the UK tour of Shrek The Musical. On TV, she's played DC Alison Bain in ITV’s Murder City and starred as Rebecca Howlett in TV mini-series The Mill.
Jenny Agutter plays Sister Julienne
Who is Sister Julienne? The big boss at Nonnatus House. She is highly-respected by her team of midwives, who trust her judgement and guidance. Mother Mildred is her superior, but within Nonnatus House she leads the nuns of the Order.
What else has Jenny Agutter been in? Having begun her career as a child actress in The Railway Children and East of Sudan, Jenny Agutter won an Emmy for her performance in 1971's The Snow Goose and a BAFTA for 1977 movie Equus. She starred in Logan's Run, Amy, An American Werewolf in London, and many more – but having quit Hollywood in the 1990s, she moved home to Britain and appeared in The Railway Children again – this time as the mother in a 2000 TV adaptation. Her more recent credits have included Sometimes Always Never (alongside Bill Nighy), Queen of the Desert, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Avengers Assemble.
Linda Bassett plays Phyllis Crane
Who is Phyllis Crane? Nurse Phyllis Crane is a bit of a battleaxe but has a dry wit. She's a diligent, dedicated senior midwife who will do what it takes to protect and serve her patients.
What else has Linda Bassett been in? Linda Bassett was nominated for a BAFTA for her performance as Ella Khan in the 1999 film East Is East – a role she reprised in sequel West Is West. Since then, she's played Malka Rosen in Spies of Warsaw, Queenie in Lark Rise to Candleford and Mrs Smike in The Life and Adventures of Nick Nickleby. Other credits include The Reader, Calendar Girls and Sense & Sensibility. She recently appeared in Strike: Troubled Blood.
Judy Parfitt plays Sister Monica Joan
Who is Sister Monica Joan? Sister Monica Joan has been a part of Call the Midwife since she opened the doors of Nonnatus House to welcome us inside for episode 1. She was one of the first women to qualify as a midwife in Britain, but is now retired and feeling the effects of dementia. Sister Monica Joan continues to live at Nonnatus House where her former colleagues care for her with love (and sometimes exasperation). She is distressed by her limitations and by her mental confusion, and needs to feel useful.
What else has Judy Parfitt been in? Judy Parfitt's BAFTA-nominated performances include Maria Thins in Girl With A Pearl Earring and Mildred Layton in The Jewel In The Crown. The 84-year-old's more recent credits include Up the Women, The Game, and Little Dorrit – in which she played Mrs Clennam.
Megan Cusack plays Nancy Corrigan
Who is Nancy Corrigan? Nancy is a friendly, chatty midwife who was raised by Catholic nuns in an orphanage. She has a young daughter, Colette, and previously considered leaving Nonnatus House to secure a job that could offer her and Colette a place to live together, but she decided to stay.
What else has Megan Cusack been in? This is one of her first on-screen roles, after an appearance in Doctors and a role in a filmed version of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard. If you're wondering if Megan is a member of the famous Cusack acting family, yes she is. Her aunts include Sinead and Niamh Cusack, and her uncle is Jeremy Irons.
Rebecca Gethings plays Sister Veronica
Who is Sister Veronica? She joined Nonnatus House in season 12. Sister Veronica is a health visitor who was previously working in Hong Kong. "She doesn't really read social situations in the same way as other people," said Gethings. "But she means well. She puts her foot in it a lot and she ruffles feathers, but she always does it for a good reason."
What else has Rebecca Gethings been in? She has appeared in David Brent: Life on the Road and period drama The Serpent Queen.
Renee Bailey plays Joyce Highland
Who is Joyce Highland? A midwife and one of the newest members of Nonnatus House. Joyce is from Trinidad, where she was in an abusive marriage. She is described as "hardworking, fiercely bright and deeply kind".
What else has Renee Bailey been in? Her CV includes BBC/Netflix teen thriller Rebel Cheer Squad and BBC musical drama Mood.
Natalie Quarry plays Rosalind Clifford
Who is Rosalind Clifford? Another of Nonnatus House's newest midwives. Rosalind is described as "naive at times, but with an inner steeliness". She very quickly forms a bond with Joyce.
What else has Natalie Quarry been in? She has appeared in an episode of Doctors and in Donald Glover's Atlanta.
Georgie Glen plays Miss Higgins
Who is Miss Higgins? Miss Higgins is the receptionist at Dr Turner's surgery. She is formidable and bossy, but is also kind-hearted. She has bonded with Nurse Phyllis Crane over the years. Last season, Miss Higgins was reunited with her son, who she had to give up at birth, and also discovered she has a grandson.
What else has Georgie Glen been in? Georgie Glen is one of those actresses whose face has been everywhere. Recently, she's played Princess Diana's grandmother Ruth, Lady Fermoy, in The Crown, as well as playing Lady Grenford in Hetty Feather, Pat in Sally4Ever, Sue in Behind her Eyes, Rose Kennedy in Oscar-nominated movie Jackie and the Abbess in Les Misérables. She also put in a long stint as head of history Audrey McFall in Waterloo Road.
Zephryn Taitte plays Cyril Robinson
Who is Cyril Robinson? He is originally from Guyana and is currently employed by the council but is considering other avenues. In season 8, he first laid eyes on midwife Lucille Anderson while fixing Nurse Crane's car and fell head-over-heels for her. They enjoyed a slow courtship before marrying in the 2021 Christmas Special, but she has since moved back to Jamaica. They are still married, but they do not have a marriage to speak of.
What else has Zephryn Taitte been in? He played Dorian in the TV series Brothers with No Game, and has also appeared in The Hour and Doctors. Taitte’s stage work includes Nora: A Doll's House, Trust, and The Tempest.
Cliff Parisi plays Fred Buckle
Who is Fred Buckle? A handyman-turned-shopkeeper. He is married to Violet and they co-parent Reggie, who has Down's Syndrome. The midwives can always count on Fred for help, no matter what. He is also Poplar's resident Father Christmas.
What else has Cliff Parisi been in? The actor's most famous role is as Rick "Minty" Peterson in EastEnders, a role he held for eight years. Since then he's appeared in Hollyoaks, Midsomer Murders, and Shakespeare & Hathaway. He also starred in 2019's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! (though he didn't get very far).
Annabelle Apsion plays Violet Buckle
Who is Violet Buckle? Back in season 4, Violet – a widow without children of her own – married Fred, and in season 6, Reggie joined the family. Violet is a dressmaker who has her own shop and is deeply involved in the local community, organising events and festivals and always trying to help out, and now she's taken things one step further by becoming a councillor, which presents daily challenges.
What else has Annabelle Apsion been in? The actress starred as Monica Gallagher in Shameless and as Joy Wilton in Soldier Soldier. For Christmas 2018 she was on TV as Betty Calloway in Torvill & Dean, and in recent years she's appeared in The Village, Holby City, The Halcyon, Father Brown, and Doc Martin.
Daniel Laurie plays Reggie Jackson
Who is Reggie Jackson? Reggie's first appearance in Call the Midwife came in season 6. His mother had died, leaving him orphaned, which prompted the nuns and the community to step in and help him. He has Down's Syndrome and is now the ward of Fred and Violet Buckle; together they are a loving and affectionate family.
What else has Daniel Laurie been in? Recently he's played Sheemie in The Dark Tower, Adam Beecher in Vera, and Zach in Finding Alice (alongside Keeley Hawes). In the TV series Back in 2016, he played the role of Jamie in the TV series Stella, and two years before that he led the cast of the Radio 4 adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Barnaby Rudge.
Christopher Harper plays Geoffrey Franklin
Who is Geoffrey Franklin? Trixie's larger than life brother. He loves nothing more than throwing himself into a big project.
What else has Christopher Harper been in? He's best known for Coronation Street. He played Nathan Curtis, a nefarious man who used a tanning salon as a front for his sex trafficking ring. Harper has also appeared briefly in Holby City and Doctors, in which he played multiple characters.
Francesca Fullilove plays Colette Corrigan
Who is Colette Corrigan? Nancy's daughter, who was raised in a Catholic orphanage. The nuns initially told her that Nancy was her sister.
What else has Francesca Fullilove been in? Call the Midwife is her first on-screen role.
Alice Brown plays Angela Turner
Who is Angela Turner? Patrick and Shelagh Turner's daughter. She was adopted as a baby in season 4, gaining an older brother in Timothy Turner (Max Macmillan); since then, the family has expanded to include a new baby brother and another adopted sister, May.
What else has Alice Brown been in? Alice has been playing little Angela Turner since she was only eight months old. Back on season 6, Alice's dad told Radio Times how she ended up involved: "Annabel, my wife, just knew someone on the production and Alice’s arrival coincided with the storyline. It simply started from there." He added: "Do I now have any interest in her being a child actor in any other way? Zero interest. To be honest, we will simply enjoy playing the episodes back to her when she is older, and embarrassing her on her wedding day, and of course she now has quite a nice nest egg in her savings account.”
April Rae Hoang plays May
Who is May? May Tang first arrived in the 2018 Christmas special, in the arms of Miriam Margolyes' Mother Mildred who turned up at Nonnatus House with a group of Chinese child refugees who'd been sent to the UK for adoption. Sadly, May's placement fell through and her family weren't able to collect her – leaving Patrick and Shelagh Turner to take her in as a foster child. They then decided to adopt her as their daughter, although in season 9 there was an unexpected development when her biological mother re-emerged and refused to sign away her parental rights. May is best friends with her sister, Angela, who is about the same age.
What else has April Rae Hoang been in? Call the Midwife is her first on-screen appearance.
Does Olly Rix appear in the Christmas special?
Olly Rix (The Spanish Princess, Of Kings and Prophets) does not appear in this year's Call the Midwife Christmas special.
At the end of season 13, Matthew Aylward left Poplar for New York to explore a new business opportunity after he lost control of his late father's company due to mounting debt.
Initially, Trixie remained in the English capital, but the distance between them severely impacted her mental health and she later decided to join him.
Who is the Call the Midwife narrator?
Dame Vanessa Redgrave serves as the voice of Jennifer Worth.
Who is Jennifer Worth? Nurse Jennifer Lee was the lead character of the first three seasons of Call the Midwife, and was played as a young woman by Jessica Raine. Following these early seasons, the character of Jennifer left the show and married her love interest Phillip Worth. As Jennifer Worth, the midwife kept in touch with her friends at Nonnatus House, and continues to narrate the events of the series as an older woman.
What else has Dame Vanessa Redgrave been in? A legend of stage and screen, Dame Vanessa Redgrave has won an Academy Award, a BAFTA, two Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Tony Award – meaning she has the triple crown of acting. Redgrave's film appearances include Behind the Mask, Julia, Isadora, Mary Queen of Scots, A Man for All Seasons, Camelot, Mission: Impossible, Atonement, Coriolanus and The Butler.
Archie O'Callaghan plays Matthew's son Jonty.
Call the Midwife Chistmas special guest stars
- Conor O'Donnell (Blue Lights) plays Roger Noble - a pharmaceutical salesman who asks Nancy out on a date.
- Myla Park plays Karen Shaughnessy - Karen and her family are evicted form their home just before Christmas.
- Peter Hannah (Six Four) plays Pete Shaughnessy - Karen's father. He catches Hong Kong flu.
- Madelyn Smedley (The Traitors) plays Dilys Shaughnessy - Karen's pregnant mother. She's doing her best to hold it together for her husband and children.
- Kirsty Rider (Space Pirates) plays Alma Curran - she gives birth in the Christmas special, but her baby starts to show signs of ill health
- Kurtis Thompson (Hayfields) plays Sid Curran - Alma's partner and the father of her baby.
- Ariya Amin plays Afira Ali - a woman who falls ill after giving birth.
- Leesa Gazi plays Mrs Bibi - Afira's mother.
- John Kazek (Shetland) plays Jock McKechnie and Simon Meacock (The Killing Kind) plays Stanley Borrows - two escaped convicts.
- Eisa Latif plays Harry Chopra - Miss Higgins's grandson.
- Timothy Harker (Black Doves) plays Dr Threapwood - a member of the board of health.
- Anya Sayadian (Ted Lasso) plays Mary - she makes an important discovery while out walking with her daughter.
Part 1 of the Call the Midwife Christmas special will air at 8pm on Christmas Day on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Part 2 arrives on Boxing Day at 7:30pm.
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