Call The Midwife continues to explore the thalidomide scandal in its sixth series, catching up with the Mullucks family 18 months after the birth of their daughter Susan.
Viewers first met Rhoda Mullucks (Liz White) and her family in the opening episode of series five. Rhoda was heavily pregnant and taking medication prescribed by Doctor Turner. When baby Susan was delivered, she was severely deformed, with all four limbs shrivelled. Doctor Turner took personal responsibility for her care and was relieved when she survived.
Rhoda was determined to do her best for Susan, but her husband initially struggled to accept the situation. Sister Mary Cynthia visited him, sharing her own brother's story of disability and reassuring him that love would see them through.
In series six, Rhoda attempts to enrol Susan in nursery school but faces prejudice. She turns to Doctor Turner, who still feels immense guilt. 'I prescribed the drugs that robbed that child of every single limb,' he tells Shelagh. He accompanies the family to Roehampton Hospital, where prosthetic limbs are being developed for children like Susan.
The child playing Susan wears prosthetics to create the illusion of shortened limbs. Call The Midwife series six airs on BBC1 on Sunday nights at 8pm.
