As the beloved BBC drama Call the Midwife makes its return for a 15th series, one lingering question from fans has finally been addressed by star Helen George. Viewers have been left puzzled by the continued absence of her on-screen husband, Matthew Aylward, a character who hasn't been seen in Poplar since March 2024.
Where is Matthew Aylward?
The storyline saw Matthew, played by actor Olly Rix, relocate to New York over two years ago to tackle severe financial difficulties, leaving Trixie to navigate a long-distance marriage. While Trixie has been jetting between London and the US to visit him and her stepson, Jonty, Matthew's physical presence in the show has been zero. Writer Heidi Thomas has now made it clear that this arrangement is set to continue throughout the new series.
In a recent episode, Trixie explained to her Nonnatus House colleagues that "Matthew has to stay in New York until autumn." She added that she needed to get Jonty settled back in the UK for his education, freeing her up to throw herself back into midwifery duties in Poplar. This leaves Trixie embracing the Women's Liberation movement and fighting for Nonnatus House's future, while Matthew remains thousands of miles away.
Helen George's Take on the Unconventional Marriage
Asked if it felt strange to portray a character with an absent spouse, Helen George offered a pragmatic view. "Look, marriages function in lots of ways and we can all think they’re strange from the outside but they function well from within," she stated. The actor suggested that, in her interpretation, Trixie rather enjoys the setup.
"I think it gives her space that she can come back to Nonnatus and do what she wants," George elaborated. "She’s got this double life of being Lady Aylward but also coming back to the heart of her life and doing the thing that she loves the most, which is midwifery." She contrasted Trixie's ability to attend glamorous events with Matthew with the reality of her nursing work, "cleaning up sick and baby poo."
Will the Marriage Survive the Distance?
The roots of the separation lie in a £250,000 debt crisis that hit Matthew in series 13, costing him his board position and salary. A job offer in New York followed, driven by his 1970s mindset of needing to be the sole breadwinner. Helen George previously highlighted that this created a wedge, as Trixie's modern, collaborative approach to relationships clashed with Matthew's desire to solve problems alone.
However, some fans and critics wonder how long the drama can sustain a central marriage conducted entirely off-screen. The narrative seems to be approaching a crossroads where the couple must eventually reunite or formally part ways. For now, with Olly Rix now firmly established as Dr. Flynn Byron in Casualty, a return to Poplar appears off the cards.
In her own life, Helen George's romantic journey has seen its own evolution. After a marriage to actor Oliver Boot ended in 2015, she had a long-term relationship with co-star Jack Ashton, with whom she shares two daughters. Since their separation in 2023, she has been in a year-long relationship with businessman Dan Innes, which she describes as "very happy" and a welcome connection outside the acting industry.
