The 15th series of the beloved BBC period drama is set to air this weekend.
Last month, BBC viewers were thrilled when they returned to Poplar for the highly anticipated Call The Midwife Christmas episodes.
The two-part special saw some of the beloved characters head to Hong Kong on a mercy mission while the others stayed behind to handle the affairs.
Although the episodes received a mixed reaction, people were eager for the rest of the new series to begin.
Originally airing back in 2012, the beloved period drama is now entering its 15th season and will air eight new hour-long episodes starting this Sunday (January 11)
A brief synopsis of the new series reads: “The Nonnatus team grow increasingly concerned for the welfare of four young children. Sister Catherine faces her first solo delivery, and the midwives attend a women’s lib meeting.”
Although some fan-favourite characters have remained on the show since it began, many have left over the years. We’re taking a look at where some the original cast from series one are now.
Miranda Hart – Chummy
Miranda played ‘Chummy’ on Call the Midwife(Image:
BBC
)
Comedian and actress Miranda Hart took on the role of Camilla Cholomondely-Browne, also known as Chummy, on the BBC show.
The shy midwife quickly became a favourite with viewers as many were keen to see her overcome her lack of confidence and inability to ride the midwives’ iconic bicycles.
Miranda appeared on the programme from series one up until leaving in series four in 2015 due to conflicting schedules. Since her exit, she went on to star in the 2020 film Emma and the 2023 animated film The Canterville Ghost, along with writing numerous books.
Recently, she opened up on battling Lyme disease, which results in severe symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and joint pain, which sometimes left her bedbound.
In the past, she’s said: “‘I was housebound and bedbound for years. I didn’t have a job, I didn’t have a social life. I didn’t have any responsibilities or identities.”
In 2024, the actress revealed she had gotten married in secret to her partner Richard Fairs. The star explained that she met him after he was called to help treat the mould in her house.
Jessica Raine – Jenny Lee
Call the Midwife’s Jessica Raine was in the first season of the BBC show(Image: BBC/Neal Street Productions)
Between 2012 and 2014, BBC viewers saw actress Jessica Rain take on the role of a central character in the BBC drama, Jenny Lee. Her character decided to leave Nonnatus House to pursue a career as a nurse for the Marie Curie cancer hospice. Although Jenny isn’t seen on-screen, her character remains ever present on the show,
The narrator for Call the Midwife, which is voiced by Vanessa Redgrave, portrays an older version of Nurse Jennifer Lee, as the series is based on the real Jennifer Worth’s memoirs.
Since leaving the BBC show, Jessica has gone on to appear in a plethora of TV shows such as Wolf Hall, The Devils Hour and The Last Post. However, it looks as though she has no plans to return to Call the Midwife anytime soon.
Speaking to Digital Spy back in 2022, she said: “Yeah. I mean, never say never. It would have to be pretty cool.
“She’d have to be in the BBC period drama as Jenny Lee: doing something pretty amazing. Maybe Jenny’s in the ’60s, having a great time. With that, you’re very limited with Jenny Lee, because it’s Jennifer Worth’s story. So you kind of have to be very respectful of that. I don’t see it happening – but you never know.”
Outside of her life in front of the camera, Jessica has been married to actor Tom Goodman-Hill since 2015. Tom is known for starring in the likes of The Imitation Game and Everest. In 2019 the pair welcomed their first baby together, although the actress has kept her family life out of the public eye.
Pam Ferris – Sister Evangelina
Pam has taken a step back from acting after her exit(Image: BBC/Neal Street Productions)
Actress Pam Ferris played the beloved Sister Evangelina on the BBC show for the first five series before leaving in 2016.
Viewers were left heartbroken over her exit as they watched the character die after suffering from a stroke. Speaking about her reasons for leaving Call the Midwife in the past, it seems as though it was due to the show moving to be filmed in Surrey.
She commented: “When the set moved to Surrey, I had no choice but to drive, and that took forever because the M25 was always jammed. I started staying in a hotel but that meant I was never home and so didn’t get to see much of my husband or my two dogs.”
Since her exit, it looks as though Pam has taken a step back from acting. However, she did appear in the 2018 Sherlock Holmes parody Holmes, Tolkien and the beloved sitcom Gavin and Stacey.
Bryony Hannah – Nurse Cynthia Miller
Call The Midwife star Bryony Hannah was a firm favourite with viewers(Image:
BBC
)
Nurse Cynthia Miller’s exit from the series was a shock to fans of the BBC show, as the shy nun was attacked by a serial criminal in series five.
This resulted in her exit the following year as the beloved character, deciding to join a religious order and become Sister Mary Cynthia after struggling with her mental health.
The actress opted to step away from the BBC role to pursue other endeavours and focus on her theatre career.
Since then, Bryony has kept herself busy as she’s been a recurring character in the CBBC animated series Bing, appeared in the Disney+ hit Rivals and BBC’s Death in Paradise.
Ben Caplan – Peter Noakes
Ben Caplan featured in the BBC period drama(Image: PA)
Ben Caplan played the role of PC Noakes on Call the Midwife from the first series up until his exit in 2017.
Although the character fell in love with Chummy and joined her on her missionary work in Africa after getting married, he appeared on the programme after Miranda Hart’s exit for another two series.
The actor stepped away from the period drama to pursue other careers and has since gone on to star in Silent Witness and Midsomer Murders.
Call the Midwife is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website**