Cliff Parisi, best known as Fred Buckle on Call the Midwife, appears almost unrecognisable in the ITV period drama Bramwell, where he played hospital porter Daniel Bentley.
Parisi has played Fred Buckle since the first season of Call the Midwife aired in 2012. The character is the kind and attentive handyman at Nonnatus House who later becomes a local shopkeeper. Fred is married to councillor Violet Buckle, played by Annabelle Apsion, and has two daughters from a previous marriage and an adopted son, Reggie, portrayed by Daniel Laurie.
Fred's Backstory in Upcoming Prequel
In the forthcoming Call the Midwife prequel, Sisters in Arms, set to air this Christmas, Fred's backstory will be explored as the show rewinds to World War Two. Actor Ciaran Bowling takes on the role of a younger Fred, and viewers will see the character alongside his first wife Betty Buckle, played by Ami Metcalf, as the Blitz takes hold of Polar, East London.
Away from Call the Midwife, EastEnders fans will recognise Parisi as Minty Paterson, a role he played on the BBC soap between 2002 and 2010. The 66-year-old actor also appeared on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here in 2019 and showcased his culinary skills on Celebrity MasterChef in 2022.
Parisi's Role in Bramwell
Parisi's career includes roles in Casualty, Hollyoaks, Outnumbered, The Darling Buds of May, and London's Burning. His acting career began with the 1989 comedy film Queen of Hearts, followed by appearances in A Bit of Fry and Laurie in 1990 and KYTV in 1990 and 1993.
Between 1995 and 1996, Parisi played Daniel Bentley in ITV's Bramwell. Sporting darker locks, facial hair, and a pensive expression, he is hardly recognisable compared to his later roles. Set in Victorian times, the medical drama centres on Dr. Eleanor Bramwell, portrayed by Jemma Redgrave, as she operates a free infirmary for the destitute in the East End.
Bramwell's Legacy and Fan Reception
In the second season, a cholera outbreak takes its toll, with Daniel Bentley succumbing to illness and dying from an overdose caused by a dosage miscalculation. Bramwell aired on ITV across four seasons from May 1995 until June 1998.
Since Bramwell debuted, the show has gained a dedicated following. One viewer wrote on IMDb: "Great period piece--well worth watching. I came upon this miniseries by accident, and I am glad I did. I'd never heard of it, but it sounded interesting. It really does a good job of portraying what London and medicine probably were like back in the 1800s."
Another added: "An amazing series. I have followed 'Bramwell' since I started watching the mini-series on PBS's 'Masterpiece Theatre' a few years ago. The depiction of a female doctor in Victorian England is very entertaining and groundbreaking. I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in period drama or the history of medical practice."
Call the Midwife is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
