Jennifer Kirby has announced she is leaving Call the Midwife after four years playing Nurse Valerie Dyer. The 31-year-old actress shared the news on Twitter on Friday, saying she had decided to say goodbye to Nonnatus House and the character of Val.
Kirby joined the BBC drama in series six as an army nurse who helped Shelagh Turner after an explosion. She later became a permanent member of the midwifery team. Her recent storyline saw Valerie report her grandmother for running a backstreet abortion clinic, leading to the grandmother's imprisonment and death from cancer.
In her statement, Kirby called the programme a 'national treasure' and said it was a 'huge honour' to have been part of it. She added that she looked forward to watching the show from 'the other side of the screen'.
Her departure comes as production resumes on series 10 and the Christmas special after being halted in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Producers said they were 'overjoyed' to be back at work, with strict safety measures including PPE for cast and crew.
Executive producer Dame Pippa Harris said the show hoped to bring 'joy and respite' during the pandemic, noting that the values of Call the Midwife seemed 'more resonant than ever'.
