FANS of Call the Midwife haven’t got long to wait until the beloved BBC series is back on our screens.
The channel have revealed that this year we’ll be treated to not just one Christmas special but two, with the usual 90 minute one off being replaced by two 60 minute programmes.
The Poplar based drama that follows the highs and lows of the midwives of Nonnatus House forms a staple part of many people’s Christmas viewing schedules.
Last year the seasonal special drew in an enormous crowd of almost nine million viewers and this marks 12 years since writer Heidi Thomas brought the characters we know and love into our living rooms for the first time.
But with such a history behind it there have been a lot of changes to the East End cast so we’re taking a look back at what some of the original cast members have been getting up to since leaving the series.
Chummy – Miranda Hart
Perhaps one of the most recognisable actors to don the red cap and cardigan, viewers soon forgot her bumbling sitcom alter-ego, and grew to love her character Chummy. Or Camilla Cholomondely-Browne, to give her her full title.
Chummy was seen in series one to four and fans couldn’t help but root for the shy midwife as she overcame her chronic lack of confidence and her inability to ride the midwives’ iconic bicycles.
After leaving the series in 2105 Miranda has gone on to star in the 2020 film Emma. and the 2023 animated film The Canterville Ghost which is based on a short story by Oscar Wilde.
Miranda also recently revealed the identity of her new husband Richard Fairs, and that she has secretly been battles Lyme disease.
Pasty Mount – (Emerald Fennell)
The Character Patsy is room mates with Trixie and after initially being reserved is soon firm friends with most of the midwives, enjoying a smoke and drink with Trixie after hours. Seen in series two to six Patsy’s storyline develops and she comes out as one of the few gay characters in the show. She leaves with her partner Delia to go travelling and the 2018 Christmas special we hear that the couple are now happily settled in Scotland.
Emerald Fennell who plays Patsy has gone on to huge success both in front of and behind the camera. She wrote and produced the phenomenally successful Killing Eve and the Golden Globe nominated hit Saltburn. She also appeared as Midge in the blockbuster film Barbie in 2023.
Barbara Gilbert – (Charlotte Richie)
A much loved member of the cast, Barbara appeared in series four and was part of the sisterhood until series seven. Fans mourned her passing when she died from sepsis comforted by her husband Tom and her close friend Phyllis.
Since leaving Poplar actor Charlotte Richie hasn’t taken much of a break appearing in a host of shows like Doctor Who, Stath Lets Flats and Grantchester.
She perhaps best know though for her role as Alison in all five series of the BBC comedy Ghosts.
Jenny Lee – (Jessica Raine)
Jenny starred as the main character of the first three series of Call the Midwife until she left to work with those receiving end of life care. Fans can still feel that Jenny is present as her character’s future voice, played by the Oscar winning Vanessa Redgrave, has continued to voice the series despite Jenny leaving.
For the actor Jessica Raine who played Jenny she has gone on to appear in countless well known shows like Line of Duty, Inside No. 9 and The Devil’s Hour on Amazon Prime where she stars alongside Peter Capaldi
Sister Evangelina – (Pam Ferris)
Sister Evangelina was a firm fan favourite across the first five series of the show. Actor Pam Ferris brought huge experience to the role having appeared as the iconic Miss Trunchbull in the 1996 classic Matilda.
Since her character died at the end of series five, having suffered a stroke, Pam has taken something of a break from acting. She did star in the 2018 Sherlock Holmes parody Holmes & Watson as Queen Victoria, alongside Will Ferrell. She was also seen in the 20190 film Tolkien alongside Nicholas Hoult.
Nurse Cynthia Miller – (Bryony Hannah)
Cynthia Miller was seen across the first six series and fans were shocked at the way the shy and mild mannered nun left the series. She was attacked by a serial criminal and fell into a deep depression.
Some of the team discover that she is being held in a bleak mental institution where her needs are not being met. She is eventually freed and moved to a more suitable hospital where she is still believed to be receiving proper care care.
For actor Bryony Hannah life after Poplar has been busy with her work as a recurring character in the CBBC animated series Bing as well as parts in the films The Last Duel and Firebrand.
Peter Noakes – (Ben Caplan)
PC Noakes is a regular character in the first seven series, always near when trouble is brewing. He falls in love with Chummy and the pair marry before Peter accompanies Chummy on her missionary work to Africa. PC Noakes is replaced in 2017 by a new local sergeant.
Actor Ben Caplan has gone to appear in the CBBC series Lagging and appeared as Camillo The Winter’s Tale on BBC4 in 2021.
