- Radio Times
- Review by:
- Alison Graham
Peggy, the dear lady who scrubs the floors at Nonnatus House, is upset: her brother is unwell but he won’t go to hospital for life-saving treatment. He has a fear of “institutions” after his and Peggy’s early years were scarred by the horrors of the workhouse.
When young Jenny investigates further, she uncovers unsettling details about the siblings’ quiet life in their tiny prefab home.
But Sister Julienne’s reaction to a great taboo is surprising. It’s another sombre hour, lifted by Chummy (Miranda Hart), who faces down a torrent of ribaldry when she shows the women of Poplar what to do with condoms. And she doesn’t use a banana…
About this programme
5/6. Jenny befriends Nonnatus House cleaner Peggy and her brother Frank, who has cancer, and learns all about the siblings' upbringing in the workhouse and the effect it has had on their relationship. Meanwhile, Fred has a new money-making venture - a pig called Evie - but his hopes of bringing home the bacon are scuppered when it turns out the porker is pregnant, so the midwives rally round to deliver the piglets.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Jenny Lee
- Jessica Raine
- Sister Julienne
- Jenny Agutter
- Sister Evangelina
- Pam Ferris
- Chummy Browne
- Miranda Hart
- Sister Monica Joan
- Judy Parfitt
- Trixie Franklin
- Helen George
- Cynthia Miller
- Bryony Hannah
- Sister Bernadette
- Laura Main
- Fred
- Cliff Parisi
- Peggy
- Elizabeth Rider
- Frank
- Sean Baker
- Jimmy
- George Rainsford
- Dr Turner
- Stephen McGann
- PC Peter Noakes
- Ben Caplan
- Tip
- Jake Davies
- Elsie May
- Sarah Counsell
- Mrs Leonard
- Candis Nergaard
- Barry May
- Brett Allen
- Voice of mature Jenny
- Vanessa Redgrave
Crew
- Director
- Jamie Payne
- Producer
- Hugh Warren
- Writer
- Harriet Warner
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