It’s clocked up 100 episodes and has become one of our best-loved TV shows. So it’s no surprise that the BBC has renewed Call The Midwife for two more series.
The smash-hit period drama focuses on the midwives and nuns working in Nonnatus House in Poplar, East London.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1683614128/articles/zkOZXuAjT1683619632694/6251666183.jpg]
And to get a real flavour of the show, fans can now visit a new gallery as part of the official location tour at The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent, where many scenes are filmed. Visitors can see props and artefacts in the exclusive gallery, and get a guided tour of the sets.
Today we’re catching up with some of the cast at the launch of the gallery. As we talk, we learn that the show’s 2023 Christmas special will actually begin filming this month.
“We literally start next week with Christmas,” reveals Stephen McGann, who plays Dr Turner. “And I guarantee the sun will come out, and it will bake! I’m married to Heidi [Thomas] who writes the series, and when everyone settles down to watch Call The Midwife, we look at each other like, ‘Here we go!’
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1683614128/articles/zkOZXuAjT1683619632694/6613136613.jpg]
“It’s been a duty and a pleasure for so long, there’s nothing like those golden age of television days like The Morecambe & Wise Show. So to actually be the Christmas special, it’s an incredible privilege and one we all take very, very seriously.”
“I’ve played Father Christmas on the BBC for the last 21 years,” laughs Cliff Parisi, aka handyman and shopkeeper Fred Buckle. “In EastEnders, I was Santa there and I’m Santa every year I’ve been here too, always on Christmas Day. No one’s done it more than me!”
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1683614128/articles/zkOZXuAjT1683619632694/3362368826.jpg]
The last series had some huge highs and fans of the show rejoiced as muchloved midwife Trixie Franklin (Helen George) tied the knot with aristocrat Matthew Aylward (Olly Rix). Her gorgeous wedding dress is on display in the gallery too.
The recent series also saw the arrival of Sister Veronica, and actress Rebecca Gethings can’t wait to see what her character will get up to next.
“I was blown away by how welcome I was made by all the cast, and how kind and generous they all were,” says Rebecca. “I love Sister Veronica, because she’s naughty. I hope she gets up to a bit more naughtiness. She always does it for the greater good, but she does tell porky pies. And I guess there will be more moped riding, which I’ll have to get used to because I’m not really a speed freak!”
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1683614128/articles/zkOZXuAjT1683619632694/4628628166.jpg]
There were also some lows, including the crash that killed a mother-to-be leaving Dr Turner and midwife Shelagh to deliver a baby in tragic circumstances. Not to mention Lucille’s exit, which was sparked by politician Enoch Powell’s infamous Rivers Of Blood speech.
“The Enoch Powell speech was appalling, and we had an opportunity, through Heidi’s script, to explore again what happened – because it was absolutely outrageous,” says Jenny Agutter, who plays Sister Julienne. “One thing that’s wonderful about working on the series, is that every year brings its own particular social problems [or] changes.”
“The whole family watch the show, children watch it, all generations and these subjects are being discussed,” adds La...
The smash-hit period drama focuses on the midwives and nuns working in Nonnatus House in Poplar, East London.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1683614128/articles/zkOZXuAjT1683619632694/6251666183.jpg]
And to get a real flavour of the show, fans can now visit a new gallery as part of the official location tour at The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent, where many scenes are filmed. Visitors can see props and artefacts in the exclusive gallery, and get a guided tour of the sets.
Today we’re catching up with some of the cast at the launch of the gallery. As we talk, we learn that the show’s 2023 Christmas special will actually begin filming this month.
“We literally start next week with Christmas,” reveals Stephen McGann, who plays Dr Turner. “And I guarantee the sun will come out, and it will bake! I’m married to Heidi [Thomas] who writes the series, and when everyone settles down to watch Call The Midwife, we look at each other like, ‘Here we go!’
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1683614128/articles/zkOZXuAjT1683619632694/6613136613.jpg]
“It’s been a duty and a pleasure for so long, there’s nothing like those golden age of television days like The Morecambe & Wise Show. So to actually be the Christmas special, it’s an incredible privilege and one we all take very, very seriously.”
“I’ve played Father Christmas on the BBC for the last 21 years,” laughs Cliff Parisi, aka handyman and shopkeeper Fred Buckle. “In EastEnders, I was Santa there and I’m Santa every year I’ve been here too, always on Christmas Day. No one’s done it more than me!”
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1683614128/articles/zkOZXuAjT1683619632694/3362368826.jpg]
The last series had some huge highs and fans of the show rejoiced as muchloved midwife Trixie Franklin (Helen George) tied the knot with aristocrat Matthew Aylward (Olly Rix). Her gorgeous wedding dress is on display in the gallery too.
The recent series also saw the arrival of Sister Veronica, and actress Rebecca Gethings can’t wait to see what her character will get up to next.
“I was blown away by how welcome I was made by all the cast, and how kind and generous they all were,” says Rebecca. “I love Sister Veronica, because she’s naughty. I hope she gets up to a bit more naughtiness. She always does it for the greater good, but she does tell porky pies. And I guess there will be more moped riding, which I’ll have to get used to because I’m not really a speed freak!”
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1683614128/articles/zkOZXuAjT1683619632694/4628628166.jpg]
There were also some lows, including the crash that killed a mother-to-be leaving Dr Turner and midwife Shelagh to deliver a baby in tragic circumstances. Not to mention Lucille’s exit, which was sparked by politician Enoch Powell’s infamous Rivers Of Blood speech.
“The Enoch Powell speech was appalling, and we had an opportunity, through Heidi’s script, to explore again what happened – because it was absolutely outrageous,” says Jenny Agutter, who plays Sister Julienne. “One thing that’s wonderful about working on the series, is that every year brings its own particular social problems [or] changes.”
“The whole family watch the show, children watch it, all generations and these subjects are being discussed,” adds La...
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New UK (Digital) - 1 Issue, May 15, 2023