The new series of Call the Midwife might be the toughest watch yet
We’ve all been there: one minute you’re smiling joyously as the nuns of Nonnatus House prepare for the arrival of a new baby and the next you’re blubbing uncontrollably at the precious newborn on the screen in front you. But as the new series of Call the Midwife takes over our Sunday nights, it seems there's emotion of a different sort in store – and there’s one character at the heart of it: nurse Trixie (Helen George).
The 14th instalment kicks off in March 1970, with the second episode (airing this Sunday) featuring Trixie’s (Helen George) big return to Nonnatus House from New York. And it's all going to prove a lot rockier than expected. Assigned a heavily pregnant mother who’s struggling with mental health issues, she finds herself with a potential tragedy on her hands.
“This series, there's really a focus on mental health and mental health within the community and within the mothers of Nonnatus House,” Helen has revealed in a new video below.
“Trixie's involved in an incredibly moving and touching, tragic story of a young mother who suffers with mental health issues in her pregnancy and it's quite a troubling time, but Trixie has brilliant involvement with the mother,” she says.
Here's everything else we know about the latest series…
What will happen in the new series of Call the Midwife?
The new series takes place in 1970, the beginning of a new decade in Poplar – and it’s a time of upheaval. The usual routines of clinics and district work are plunged into chaos when activists on the Isle of Dogs stage a bid for independence and blockade the only access to the island. And that means Dr Turner and the midwives have their work cut out as they try to continue business as usual.
Meanwhile, Trixie is back from New York and her storyline is set to be one of the most important - and emotional - of the series. The synopsis for episode two reads: “It's April 1970, and Trixie oversees the care of Arlene, an unmarried mother who is heavily pregnant and under the care of the district midwives. Rising rates of gonorrhoea in the district cause alarm when Zeta, a young Cypriot expectant mother, is diagnosed.”
It continues: “She is utterly distressed and bewildered by her diagnosis and her husband Mehmet denies any extramarital affair. Meanwhile, Cyril (Zephryn Taitte) and Rosalind (Natalie Quarry) volunteer together at the homeless shelter."
All praise to creator Heidi Thomas for tackling another important subject in such a way that the whole family can watch it. Just don't forget to have some tissues handy.
Who’s starring in the new series?
Helen George, Zephryn Taitte and Natalie Quarry are joined by the following cast members:
Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan
Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne
Laura Main as Shelagh Turner
Stephen McGann as Dr Turner
Linda Bassett as Nurse Crane
Megan Cusack as Nancy Corrigan
Annabelle Apsion as Violey Buckle
Georgie Glen and Miss Higgins
Rebecca Gethings as Sister Veronica
Daniel Laurie as Reggie Jackson
Renee Bailey as Joyce Highland
Alice Brown as Angela Turner
Francesca Fullilove as Colette Corrigan
April Rae Hoang as May Tang
Edward Shaw as Teddy Turner
How can I watch it?
Call the Midwife series 14 airs every Sunday at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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