Helen George, one of the original stars of the beloved BBC period drama Call The Midwife, has opened up about a powerful new storyline that left her genuinely shaken. The actress, who plays the iconic Nurse Trixie Franklin, admits the plotline felt alarmingly close to home as the show prepares for its highly anticipated return.
A Looming Threat to Nonnatus House
The upcoming series, set to premiere on Sunday, January 11 at 8pm on BBC One, plunges the midwives of Poplar into a fresh crisis. The very future of their home and workplace, Nonnatus House, is under serious threat. George explained that this external danger, reflecting real pressures on the NHS and religious orders in the 1970s, was deeply impactful.
"It's one of the storylines that's affected me," the 41-year-old actress shared. "This external threat to Nonnatus House and what was happening in the NHS at the time. And the fact that nuns were being made to choose between their habit and their work." She described the narrative as a "terrifying" prospect that is now "pounding on the door," after years of being a distant worry.
Embracing Women's Liberation in 1971
The new series is set in 1971, a time of significant social change, which the show captures vividly. Several characters fully embrace the Women's Liberation movement, with scenes featuring bra-burning and marches. George described filming these sequences as "so brilliant and so spirited."
She reflected on the historical context, noting the stark realities for women at the time. "At this point, women still couldn't get mortgages or have their own bank accounts," George stated. "It feels so archaic looking back, but this was only a few decades ago." This theme resonates strongly with her character Trixie's own experiences, particularly following her husband's financial losses, prompting Trixie to question how things might have differed had she controlled the finances.
Fifteen Series of an 'Incredible' Journey
As one of the few remaining original cast members since the show began in 2012, Helen George holds a unique perspective on the programme's legacy. "It feels really special that I've been here from the beginning," she said, acknowledging the exclusive "badge" of longevity.
"To make it to 15 series has been an incredible experience for me," George continued. "Watching Trixie's storylines develop and watching the popularity of the show grow not just in this country, but around the world, has been an amazing thing to witness." As Nonnatus House faces its greatest challenge yet, both the character and the actress portraying her are poised for another emotionally powerful chapter in this enduring British television success story.
