The beloved period drama Call the Midwife made its highly anticipated return to BBC One on Sunday, 11th January 2026, at 8pm. The series 15 premiere transported viewers back to Poplar's Nonnatus House, where the midwives and nuns confront fresh professional hurdles amidst the growing wave of the women's liberation movement.
A New Face with a Familiar Past
Among the new characters introduced in the opening episode is Ian Kingsley, played by Northern Irish actor Turlough Convery. However, eagle-eyed fans of ITV's Jane Austen adaptation Sanditon will recognise Convery from his wildly different role as the gentle and gay bachelor Arthur Parker, a part he played from 2019 until the series concluded in 2023.
In Call the Midwife, Convery's Ian is at the centre of a key storyline. Sister Veronica, portrayed by Rebecca Gethings, grows deeply concerned for the welfare of Ian and Edna Kingsley's four young children, suspecting they are being neglected by their parents. Larner Wallace-Taylor plays Ian's wife, Edna.
From Poplar to Panem: Convery's Varied Career
The 34-year-old actor boasts an impressive and diverse filmography beyond his period drama roots. He is known to audiences for roles such as Bear in the spy thriller Killing Eve and has appeared in major series like House of the Dragon, Slow Horses, and Anne Boleyn.
His film credits include Kenneth Branagh's award-winning Belfast, the sci-fi adventure Ready Player One, and folk horror The Damned. Convery began his screen career back in 2013 with guest spots in sitcoms like Fresh Meat, Siblings, and My Mad Fat Diary.
More New Arrivals in Poplar
The series premiere welcomed other new faces to the fold. Outlander star Izzy Meikle-Small appeared as expectant mother Thelma Cutler, with her husband Kevin played by Gordon Millar of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child fame.
Sophie Reid, from Count Abdulla, joined the cast as Maxine Drummond, a member of the Women's Liberation Movement. Meanwhile, Nicholas Tizzard from Casualty took on the role of Dr. Ashton.
Behind the Scenes: Judy Parfitt's Candid Confession
Ahead of the new series, veteran star Judy Parfitt, who plays Sister Monica Joan, opened up about the emotional toll of filming at the age of 90. Speaking to Radio Times, the actress revealed that immersing herself in such demanding storylines could be "horrendous" at times.
"I have to be the character and inhabit them. I can’t act any other way," Parfitt explained. "In these episodes, I’m playing scenes that there’s no way I can leave behind." She added, "For an actor, a vivid imagination is wonderful to have – and hell to live with."
Call the Midwife continues its run, airing Sundays at 8pm on BBC One and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
