CALL The Midwife star Miriam Margolyes has quit the popular drama after disappearing from screens for three years.
The iconic actress initially joined the BBC period drama in 2018 as Mother Mildred but hasn’t been seen in the role since 2021.
It left a cloud hanging over the programme as to whether the star would ever be making a comeback after never appearing to depart on screen.
Now, reports have indicated that the star has turned her back on the show for good and won’t be returning to the role.
A source told the Daily Star: “Miriam loved being part of the show because she absolutely adores it.
“She is too busy to play Mother Mildred now so there are no plans for her to go back.”
Despite the 83-year-old having walked away from the show, it is one of the projects she speaks fondly of.
Discussing the programme and her time on the show, the star previously told the Mirror: “It’s about decent people doing decent things and that’s rather rare on TV these days.
“It’s wholesome but that doesn’t mean it’s dull – it’s gripping.
“But when you see a programme about caring, about love and people looking after each other, it feeds the soul.”
Miriam is one of the UK’s leading actresses thanks to countless TV and stage roles under her belt.
The star is widely known for her portrayal of Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter film series between 2002 and 2011.
Elsewhere, she won a BAFTA in 1993 for her role as Mrs. Mingott in Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence.
In recent years, she has also become known for a slew of travel shows and documentaries, many of which have been set in Australia.
Despite Miriam’s exit, the show is ploughing on with a brand new series with filming having already kicked off.
The show’s official Instagram account posted a picture which was “14 years in the making” along with a lengthy update about filming for the upcoming series.
A behind-the-scenes photo from the set of Call the Midwife posted on social media confirmed that filming began back in April.
Another post has now revealed that the BBC has completed filming half of its upcoming episodes.
It has also been revealed that a new cast member will be joining the programme in the wake of Miriam’s departure.
Young actress Myla Park, nine, has joined the show in a important new role.
Although, bosses have so far remained tight-lipped about the details surrounding her character.
She will form part of an ensemble of young stars that also include the likes of April Rae Hoang, Alice Brown, and Edward Shaw.
Call The Midwife first came onto the airwaves in 2012 and has been seen by millions. But what is it about?
Series one: Set in early 1957 and it explored the ‘Baby Boom generation, which included themes of poverty and post-war immigration.
Series two: Set in 1958 and it showed gas and air being introduced for pain relief for the first time. It ended with the Nonnatus House building being condemned.
Series three: Set in 1959 and it depicted gruesome conditions such as cystic fibrosis, polio and it showed the midwives in the context on prisons.
Series four: Set in 1960 under the threat of nuclear warfare and the emergency response guidelines issued by the local Civil Defence Corp. Other themes included LGBT rights, and syphilis.
Series five: Set in 1961 and it shows the care of patients with conditions such as Typhoid and strokes. We also saw the effects of thalidomide, the introduction of the contraceptive pill.
Series six: Set in 1962 and domestic violence was at the centre of the season. Other themes included FGM (female genital mutilation), mental health issues and interracial marriage. It was also notable for the introduction of Reggie, a recurring character with Down Syndrome.
Series seven: Set in 1963 and we see Nurse Lucille Anderson for the first time. We also see the show address conditions such as dementia, huntington’s disease, leprosy and meningitis
Series eight: Set in 1964 and it bravely covered the issue of abortion, which was not legal for another three years in 1967. Sickle cell disease, cleft lip, cleft palate and intersex people also featured.
Series nine: Diptheria was at the centre of the ninth instalment in 1965, and it was notable for featuring a blind expectant mother. But the role of Nonnatus House within the community also came into question.
Series ten: Set in 1966, Nonnatus House has a rival in the form of the private Lady Emily Clinic in Mayfair. PKU, diabetes and the controversy surrounding abortion were central themes.
Series eleven: Set in 1967 amid the housing crisis and a scabies epidemic. The show was rocked by a train crash right next to Nonnatus House.
