Judy Parfitt, the 90-year-old actress who plays Sister Monica Joan in BBC One's Call the Midwife, has spoken about the show's upcoming pause. The drama, which began in January 2012, is set to take a break as a prequel and a spin-off film are produced.
Parfitt told the Radio Times that the hiatus will be difficult for the cast and crew, whom she described as a family. 'From about the beginning of March, you start thinking how lovely it’ll be to see everyone and start working again. Then it’s April, and I usually look forward to April. So for it not to be there really shakes me a bit,' she said.
The actress also shared her affection for her character, Sister Monica Joan, a wise but eccentric nun devoted to midwifery in Poplar, East London. 'I’ve always wanted to play a nun because I was educated by nuns, and I loved Monica Joan’s character. The way she was written as quirky and offbeat was a joy; I don’t know what I’ll do without her, actually,' she added.
The new series, which starts on Sunday, 11 January at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer, moves into 1971 and explores themes including the Women's Liberation movement, premature births, and cancer diagnosis. A 16th series has been confirmed, alongside a World War II prequel set in Poplar and a spin-off movie set overseas in 1972.
During the Christmas special, Sister Monica Joan remained in London while disaster struck at the order's Hong Kong branch. The character is expected to return for the new episodes this month.
