Call the Midwife star Chris Harper is not the only television personality in his household. The 48-year-old actor made his debut as Geoffrey Franklin in season 12 of the BBC One period drama, arriving in Poplar from Malta to attend the wedding of his sister Trixie (Helen George) and Matthew Aylward (Olly Rix).
Immediate Fan Favorite
The character proved an immediate favourite with audiences, who took to him within moments of his first appearance on screen, and Geoffrey has remained a series regular ever since. His most recent appearance came in season 15 of Call the Midwife, which broadcast earlier this year, with fans eagerly anticipating Geoffrey's inclusion in the forthcoming film adaptation and season 16 of the beloved period drama.
Coronation Street Role
Coronation Street devotees will recognise Chris Harper as the villainous Nathan Curtis on the ITV soap between 2016 and 2018. He made his entrance on Christmas Day as Shona's (Julia Goulding) former boyfriend, quickly establishing himself as a thoroughly despicable character. He ingratiated himself with 16-year-old Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon), manipulated her trust and exploited her vulnerability. He was ultimately imprisoned for his harrowing crimes against Bethany, only to resurface seven years later.
Chris briefly reprised his role as the notorious Nathan in 2024, following the character's release from prison. He faced accusations of kidnapping Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) from Bethany, before Joel Deering (Calum Lill) was unmasked as the true perpetrator. This marked the conclusion of Chris's tenure on the Manchester soap, though he has also featured in Upstairs, Downstairs, Life on Mars and the Bafta-winning Housewife 49.
Who is Chris Harper's Wife?
Chris has been married to fellow television star Emily Bowker since 2013, and she also appeared in one episode of Call the Midwife. In 2017, she took on the part of expectant mother Dot Spenlow, who was facing economic hardship, prompting her to enter into a distressing agreement with her cousin.
EastEnders viewers will recall the actress as Jemima Benjamin, an interfering consultant charged with interviewing Dot Cotton (June Brown) for a position at the recently renovated launderette. The sequences broadcast in 2016 infuriated audiences when Dot failed to secure her cherished job owing to Jemima's relentless deployment of corporate terminology that bewildered the beloved character.
Emily has also enjoyed brief appearances in competing soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale. Her extensive portfolio includes parts in Australian soap Neighbours, a role alongside her now-husband in Upstairs Downstairs, and numerous quintessential British programmes, from The Bill to Holby City and Torchwood. Most recently, Emily depicted Maddie in Whitstable Pearl (2022) and Lady Fallon in Miss Scarlet (2024).
Call the Midwife is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, while Coronation Street airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX.
