Meet the cast of Call the Midwife series 8
Our old favourites are back – with a collection of new nuns and midwives also joining Call the Midwife for series eight
Hannah Hutch plays Cilla Singh
Who is Cilla Singh? Expectant first-time mother Cilla lives with her husband of one year, Pardeep. She craves her mother's support and affection, but unfortunately her mum (who – coincidentally – is also pregnant) didn't approve of the marriage and has been giving them the cold shoulder.
What else has Hannah Hutch been in? A relative newcomer to our screens, Hannah Hutch has made a handful of appearances in Shakespeare & Hathaway, Babs, and Doctors.
Omar Malik plays Pardeep Singh
Who is Pardeep Singh? Cilla's husband. A Sikh immigrant from India, he is ambitious and desperate to provide for his new family – but racism prevents him from progressing at the factory. He hopes that his mother-in-law will soon accept him and come around to the marriage.
What else has Omar Malik been in? The actor's TV and movie credits include Young Dracula, Tracey Ullman's Show, The Dumping Ground, No Offence, and Holby City.
Niky Wardley plays Enid Wilson
Who is Enid Wilson? Cilla's mum. At 44, she was "caught out" by an unexpected pregnancy and is now due around the same time as her estranged daughter. Mrs Wilson is a proud and demanding woman who hates to back down.
What else has Niky Wardley been in? The actress starred in The Catherine Tate Show, playing a number of characters including Lisa Jackson. Since then she has appeared in Coronation Street (as Jenny Sumner), the Pinky and Perky Show (as Tamara), Still Open All Hours (as Mrs Jackson) and Are You Being Served (as Miss Brahms). Most recently, she starred in Home from Home as Fiona Hackett.
Molly Chesworth plays Jeannie Tennant
Who is Jeannie Tennant? A mother-of-two who attends Trixie's Keep Fit classes, where she displays particular skill with the hula hoop. She has two young kids and is working to give them a better childhood than she had: in fact, she and her husband are about to buy their first house.
What else has Molly Chesworth been in? A recent graduate of the Oxford School of Drama, this is Molly Chesworth's first on-screen role.
Bryan Parry plays Frank Tennant
Who is Frank Tennant? Jeannie's husband. He also has big dreams, and is working hard to bring in the money for their first house together.
What else has Bryan Parry been in? He popped up as PC Everly in Rillington Place, played Freddie Preston in the TV series In the Flesh, and was Louis McQueen in Hollyoaks Later back in 2013.
Lisa Ellis plays Betty Marwick
Who is Betty Marwick? Betty has her hands full with her huge family – and now there's another one on the way. Her husband is away at sea and she is finding it difficult to cope by herself, especially when she finds out her new baby will need extra care and attention.
What else has Lisa Ellis been in? Her TV credits include Doctors, Rillington Place, and EastEnders – where she played Marni. On stage she has starred in Hedda Gabler, Roots, The Canterbury Tales and David Copperfield.
Matti Houghton plays Hazel Becker
Who is Hazel Becker? New mum Mrs Becker is extremely worried about her daughter getting sick – to the point of obsession. Dr Turner, Shelagh and Miss Higgins are determined to get to the bottom of her distress and work out how to help her.
What else has Matti Houghton been in? She played DS Nicola Hart in the TV series Manhunt, and has also made appearances in The Collection, Luther, and Wire in the Blood.
Tom McCall plays Martin Becker
Who is Martin Becker? Hazel's husband. He is worried and frustrated by his wife's behaviour but doesn't know how to help.
What else has Tom McCall been in? He appeared in Black Mirror's innovative Netflix episode Bandersnatch as a paramedic, and has taken on roles in Wallander, Bloodshot and Doctors. Tom McCall has also starred in a number of productions at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Annette Crosbie plays Clarice Millgrove
Who is Clarice Millgrove? Nurse Lucille Anderson is sent to visit Dr Turner's patient Clarice Millgrove when she doesn't show up for several appointments to treat an ulcer on her leg. When Lucille manages to get inside her house, she is shocked to find that Clarice is a reclusive hoarder who is no longer able to take care of herself.
Where have I seen Annette Crosbie before? The actress, 84, played Margaret Meldrew in the classic BBC sitcom One Foot in the Grave. She has won two Baftas, and appeared in more than 120 TV shows and movies in a career stretching back to 1959 – including Henry IX, Doctor Who, Into the Woods, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, The Slipper and the Rose, Little Dorrit, and Calendar Girls.
