Helen George, the actress famed for her role as Nurse Trixie Franklin in the BBC's Call the Midwife, has issued a stark warning that feminism and women's rights in Britain are confronting their most severe threat in modern times.
A Dystopian Fear for Modern Britain
In a candid new interview with The Mirror, the 41-year-old star expressed profound concern that an increasingly anti-feminist mood, fuelled by rising nationalism and the popularity of certain public figures, is putting women's safety and autonomy at risk. She drew a chilling parallel to the dystopian world of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, where women are stripped of all rights under a brutal patriarchal regime.
Helen stated she finds the strengthening patriarchy "really terrifying." She pointed to the visible symbols of nationalism and the influence of controversial figures as key drivers of this shift. "I think what comes with nationalism that we're seeing with the St George's flags... what comes with that as well is an anti-feminist mood. The Andrew Tate movement," she explained.
Specific Threats to Bodily Autonomy
The actress went on to voice specific fears about the security of abortion rights in the UK, warning that women may be less protected than they believe. She suggested that these fundamental rights could soon be up for debate in Parliament, particularly if political figures like Reform UK leader Nigel Farage gain more influence.
"I feel like we're not as far away from that as we think we are," Helen said. "We think that we have all this power as women but it's coming for us. The anti-abortion laws and things... I feel like they will probably be debated in Parliament, especially if Nigel Farage has his way." She highlighted the situation in some US states, where abortion has become illegal, as an "insane" development that underscores the fragility of such rights.
Helen, who shares two daughters with her ex-partner and former co-star Jack Ashton and is now dating businessman Dan Innes, described a feeling of society being "hoodwinked" into accepting these regressive trends. "I feel like we could turn around in a few years time and it's The Handmaid's Tale," she told the publication.
Future of Call the Midwife Amidst Real-World Drama
The interview arrives as filming concludes on the 15th series of Call the Midwife, scheduled to air in early 2025. The beloved BBC drama, which first aired in 2012 and has produced over 100 episodes, has been the subject of speculation regarding its future.
Earlier this year, reports suggested the upcoming series could be the last, with a source indicating the team wanted the show to "go out on a high." However, the BBC has since moved to reassure fans, confirming the show's continuation with two Christmas specials, a new series, a film, a prequel series, and a planned sixteenth series. Creator Heidi Thomas has also hinted at the possibility of a future break or spin-off, stating, "I don't believe Call the Midwife will ever end."
Helen George's comments place her amongst a growing number of public figures expressing alarm about the direction of gender politics and women's rights, both in the UK and globally, framing it as a critical issue for contemporary society.
