Call the Midwife star teases character returns in Xmas special

Call the Midwife has rounded up a few old faces to make their Nonnatus House returns this Christmas.

We already knew that Helen George's nurse Trixie Franklin was back amongst the action – will she and Olly Rix's character Matthew Aylward reignite that romance? – but now Dr Patrick Turner himself Stephen McGann has teased even more names from across the period drama's history.

"What I can say is that there is a return of some familiar characters from the past, in a very moving way," he told RadioTimes.

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stephen mcgann as dr turner, call the midwife

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"I think it draws on its own history again, but there's a lot of joy at Christmas as usual. But there's also a great story there too, and it's been really enjoyable to do."

The news of a few familiar faces came after George said only last week while speaking to RadioTimes: "Christmas is lovely for Trixie, there's some lovely stuff going on. Heidi [Thomas, series creator] just writes so well for the character.

"And there's always a surprise – every series I go, 'Oh my God, you're kidding me, that's going to happen to Trixie?' So I think that's what keeps the character kind of stretched."

BBC

Away from tinsel and pig in blankets, though, Call the Midwife also has its 12th (!) season on the horizon, which McGann briefly referenced in the same interview.

"For the next series, I think it feels very open after the pandemic. There's a good vibe at the moment on set," shared the former Emmerdale star.

"So I'm really looking forward to the dynamic of the new series – although we don't get told a great deal, so we don't know any big secrets!"

Call the Midwife airs on BBC One. The 2022 Christmas special is set to air in December.