Call the Midwife cast: Who stars in the Christmas special?

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Call the Midwife returns for its annual Christmas special – which spans both Poplar and Hong Kong as a small party from Nonnatus House travels out there to lend a hand following the collapse of the Branch House.

"Everything is about people being displaced in some way... it's very disturbing," teased Jenny Agutter.

Meanwhile, "Cyril receives an unexpected request" from a visitor, while "Rosalind and Joyce host a Christmas gathering", and Sister Catherine "gets involved in a case with two mums-to-be who are Irish travellers and living in a camp".

Molly Vevers went on to talk about her East London-based storylines.

"She [Sister Catherine] gets involved in a case with two mums-to-be who are Irish travellers and living in a camp there," she said. "As the story unfolds, there's a lovely character called Queenie, who has a heartbreaking back story.

"And Sister Catherine is pivotal in supporting her and helping her process the grief she's been through. It's a really heart-rending story but woven in with all the Christmas magic of the rest of the episode."

Rebecca Gethings as Sister Veronica, Linda Bassett as Nurse Crane, Fenella Woolgar as Sister Hilda and Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne, crowding around a table with a newspaper on it, and boxes in the background of the room. — Rebecca Gethings as Sister Veronica, Linda Bassett as Nurse Crane, Fenella Woolgar as Sister Hilda and Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne in the Call the Midwife Christmas special 2025. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Charmaine Man

A number of familiar faces have returned for the Christmas special, plus some brand new guest stars.

Read on for a rundown of the Call the Midwife cast.

Call the Midwife cast

Helen George as Trixie Aylward
Stephen McGann as Dr Turner
Laura Main as Shelagh Turner
Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne
Linda Bassett as Nurse Crane
Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan
Rebecca Gethings as Sister Veronica
Renee Bailey as Joyce Highland
Natalie Quarry as Rosalind Clifford
Molly Vevers plays Sister Catherine
Georgie Glen as Miss Higgins
Fenella Woolgar as Sister Hilda
Zephryn Taitte as Cyril Robinson
Annabelle Apsion as Violet Buckle
Cliff Parisi as Fred Buckle
Daniel Laurie as Reggie Jackson
Christopher Harper as Geoffrey Franklin
Max Macmillan as Timothy Turner
April Rae Hoang as May Tang
Alice Brown as Angela Turner
Edward Shaw as Teddy Turner
Linda Hargreeves as Mrs Wallace
Dame Vanessa Redgrave as the voice of Jennifer Worth

For more information about the cast of the Call the Midwife, read on.

Helen George plays Trixie Franklin

The image shows a woman sitting at a table in what appears to be a cozy, vintage-style kitchen or dining room. She has a short blonde bob haircut with bangs and is wearing a bright red buttoned dress or blouse. Her makeup is striking, especially the bold red lipstick, which matches her outfit. She appears to be listening or reacting to someone off-camera, with a focused, slightly serious expression. In the foreground, there are blurred figures and some amber-colored glassware on the table, giving the scene a warm, intimate atmosphere. — Helen George plays Trixie Aylward. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Charmaine Man

Who is Trixie Aylward? A capable and talented member of the Nonnatus House team. She is a recovering alcoholic, something that reared its head when her marriage was put under great strain due to financial troubles.

At the end of season 13, Trixie left London to live in New York with her husband Matthew, who is exploring a new business opportunity there. She now divides her time between the Big Apple and Poplar, where she's taken on a more managerial role at Nonnatus House – although she still loves being a midwife.

What else has Helen George been in? Helen George has been with Call the Midwife since day one. Her other TV appearances have included Red Dwarf, Nativity Rocks!, Doctors and Hotel Babylon, and in 2015 she came sixth in Strictly Come Dancing with her pro partner Aljaz Skorjanec. Helen actually also met her partner Jack Ashton when they co-starred in Call the Midwife; he played the Reverend Tom until the end of season 7 and they have two daughters, Wren and Lark.

Stephen McGann plays Patrick Turner

Two men stand in a small, sunlit medical office, facing each other on either side of an illuminated X-ray. The man on the left, dressed in a beige waistcoat and rolled-up shirt sleeves, looks concerned as he studies the image. The man on the right, wearing a green military uniform, listens intently with his hands clasped in front of him. Behind them, anatomical drawings hang on the wall above the X-ray viewer, while medical trays, books, and equipment sit on nearby shelves and desks. — Stephen McGann. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Charmaine Man

Who is Patrick Turner? The local GP, who works closely with Nonnatus House. He is devoted to his job and works tirelessly to serve the people of Poplar. Dr Turner is married to Shelagh and they have four children.

What else has Stephen McGann been in? Stephen McGann is actually married to Call the Midwife creator and writer Heidi Thomas. He is also the brother of Doctor Who actor Paul McGann, and like his character Dr Turner, he is a man of science – having studied for a Masters in Science Communication and written a book, Flesh and Blood, based on the personal and medical history of his family. McGann previously played Sean Reynolds in Emmerdale.

Laura Main plays Shelagh Turner

A cheerful scene shows three adults standing side by side in a festively decorated room. The man on the left is smiling broadly and wearing a green paper Christmas crown, a beige waistcoat, and rolled-up shirt sleeves. In the centre, a woman in glasses and a sleeveless floral dress laughs warmly. On the right, another woman in a bright pink patterned dress smiles, hands clasped. Red and green balloons and streamers hang around them, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. — Dr. Patrick Turner (Stephen McGann), Shelagh Turner (Laura Mann) and Violet Buckle (Annabelle Apison). BBC/Neal Street Productions/Charmaine Man

Who is Shelagh Turner? When we first met her, she was Sister Bernadette – but then she gave up being a nun and left the Order to marry Dr Turner. The Turners now have four children together (adopted and biological), and Shelagh continues to work closely with Nonnatus House; she often steps in to work as a midwife or lend a hand when help is needed.

What else has Laura Main been in? Laura Main's acting career has mainly been in theatre, after she first starred in a production of The Sound of Music at the age of 11; recently she played Princess Fiona in the UK tour of Shrek The Musical. On TV, she's played DC Alison Bain in ITV’s Murder City and starred as Rebecca Howlett in TV mini-series The Mill.

Jenny Agutter plays Sister Julienne

Two women smile warmly as they lean out of an open window in a brick building. One wears a white nun’s habit and cross necklace, while the other wears patterned everyday clothing. Decorative iron window bars frame them as they look outside together. — Jenny Agutter plays Sister Julienne. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney

Who is Sister Julienne? The big boss at Nonnatus House. She is highly-respected by her team of midwives, who trust her judgement and guidance. Mother Mildred is her superior, but within Nonnatus House she leads the nuns of the Order.

What else has Jenny Agutter been in? Having begun her career as a child actress in The Railway Children and East of Sudan, Jenny Agutter won an Emmy for her performance in 1971's The Snow Goose and a BAFTA for 1977 movie Equus. She starred in Logan's Run, Amy, An American Werewolf in London, and many more – but having quit Hollywood in the 1990s, she moved home to Britain and appeared in The Railway Children again – this time as the mother in a 2000 TV adaptation. Her more recent credits have included Sometimes Always Never (alongside Bill Nighy), Queen of the Desert, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Avengers Assemble.

Linda Bassett plays Phyllis Crane

An elderly woman with short curly hair sits at a dining table, wearing a red cardigan over a blue dress, looking serious and slightly concerned. She holds a utensil near her plate while another woman sits beside her, softly out of focus, in a warmly lit room. — Linda Bassett plays Phyllis Crane. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney

Who is Phyllis Crane? Nurse Phyllis Crane is a bit of a battle-axe but has a dry wit. She's a diligent, dedicated senior midwife who will do what it takes to protect and serve her patients.

What else has Linda Bassett been in? Linda Bassett was nominated for a BAFTA for her performance as Ella Khan in the 1999 film East Is East – a role she reprised in sequel West Is West. Since then, she's played Malka Rosen in Spies of Warsaw, Queenie in Lark Rise to Candleford and Mrs Smike in The Life and Adventures of Nick Nickleby. Other credits include The Reader, Calendar Girls and Sense & Sensibility. She recently appeared in Strike: Troubled Blood.

Judy Parfitt plays Sister Monica Joan

An older man and woman sitting together in a chair, engaged in conversation and enjoying each other's company. — Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan and Henry Goodman as Mr Fischer. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney

Who is Sister Monica Joan? Sister Monica Joan has been a part of Call the Midwife since she opened the doors of Nonnatus House to welcome us inside for episode 1. She was one of the first women to qualify as a midwife in Britain, but is now retired and feeling the effects of dementia. Sister Monica Joan continues to live at Nonnatus House where her former colleagues care for her with love (and sometimes exasperation). She is distressed by her limitations and by her mental confusion, and needs to feel useful.

What else has Judy Parfitt been in? Judy Parfitt's BAFTA-nominated performances include Maria Thins in Girl With A Pearl Earring and Mildred Layton in The Jewel In The Crown. The 84-year-old's more recent credits include Up the Women, The Game, and Little Dorrit – in which she played Mrs Clennam.

Rebecca Gethings plays Sister Veronica

Three women stand close together inside a shop or storeroom, looking tense and alarmed. A nun in a white habit holds a cardboard box against her chest while an older woman grips the box from the side, and another woman peers anxiously from behind a counter. In the foreground, part of another person is visible, adding to the sense of confrontation. — Rebecca Gethings plays Sister Veronica. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney

Who is Sister Veronica? She joined Nonnatus House in season 12. Sister Veronica is a health visitor who was previously working in Hong Kong. "She doesn't really read social situations in the same way as other people," said Gethings. "But she means well. She puts her foot in it a lot and she ruffles feathers, but she always does it for a good reason."

What else has Rebecca Gethings been in? She has appeared in David Brent: Life on the Road and period drama The Serpent Queen.

Renee Bailey plays Joyce Highland

A young woman with a rounded afro hairstyle sits at a table indoors, wearing a red cardigan over a blue dress with a white collar. She looks ahead with a calm, thoughtful expression, with softly blurred flowers in the foreground and a communal room setting behind her. — Renee Bailey plays Joyce Highland. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney

Who is Joyce Highland? She joined Nonnatus House as a midwife in season 13. Joyce is from Trinidad, where she was in an abusive marriage. She is described as "hardworking, fiercely bright and deeply kind". Joyce's job was under threat last season when a racist woman made a complaint against her.

What else has Renee Bailey been in? Her CV includes BBC/Netflix teen thriller Rebel Cheer Squad and BBC musical drama Mood.

Natalie Quarry plays Rosalind Clifford

A woman wearing a plaid coat and black gloves stands outside a building, holding a red charity donation tin and smiling gently. Behind her, people enter a hall, and a poster on an easel advertises a Hong Kong rescue appeal with a black-and-white photograph of a nun holding a child. — Natalie Quarry plays Rosalind Clifford. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney

Who is Rosalind Clifford? Another of Nonnatus House's midwives. Rosalind is described as "naive at times, but with an inner steeliness". She very quickly forms a bond with Joyce and is now dating Cyril.

What else has Natalie Quarry been in? She has appeared in an episode of Doctors and in Donald Glover's Atlanta.

Molly Vevers plays Sister Catherine

Two women dressed in nun outfits stand together in a snowy landscape, surrounded by a serene winter scene. — Call the Midwife season 15 BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney

Who is Sister Catherine? A newest Nonnatus House nun. Her devotion to God came at the expense of a relationship with her family, who turned their back on her when she told them she had been called to serve. But she has since reconnected with her sister.

What else has Molly Vevers been in? She's best known for The Rig.

Georgie Glen plays Miss Higgins

Who is Miss Higgins? Miss Higgins is the receptionist at Dr Turner's surgery. She is formidable and bossy, but is also kind-hearted. She has bonded with Nurse Phyllis Crane over the years. Last season, Miss Higgins was reunited with her son, who she had to give up at birth, and also discovered she has a grandson.

What else has Georgie Glen been in? Georgie Glen is one of those actresses whose face has been everywhere. Recently, she's played Princess Diana's grandmother Ruth, Lady Fermoy, in The Crown, as well as playing Lady Grenford in Hetty Feather, Pat in Sally4Ever, Sue in Behind her Eyes, Rose Kennedy in Oscar-nominated movie Jackie and the Abbess in Les Misérables. She also put in a long stint as head of history Audrey McFall in Waterloo Road.

Fenella Woolgar plays Sister Hilda

Three nuns stand together in a brightly decorated room, smiling warmly. They wear simple light-coloured habits with white veils and wooden cross necklaces. Colourful balloons and streamers hang behind them, and stained-glass–style windows line the wall. — BBC/Neal Street Productions/Charmaine Man

Who is Sister Hilda? She left Nonnatus House in season 11 and has been residing at the Mother House ever since.

What else has Fenella Woolgar been in? You might also have watched her in The Deal, The Buccaneers and Home Fires, among others.

Zephryn Taitte plays Cyril Robinson

A woman and a man sit together on the floor of a small tiled room, leaning close and smiling warmly at each other. She wears a patterned purple dress and tights, while he wears a patterned shirt and trousers. They hold hands, their heads touching as they share an intimate, joyful moment in the soft blue-tinted light. — Natalie Quarry plays Rosalind Clifford and Zephryn Taitte plays Cyril Robinson. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney

Who is Cyril Robinson? He is originally from Guyana and is currently employed by the council but is considering other avenues. In season 8, he first laid eyes on midwife Lucille Anderson while fixing Nurse Crane's car and fell head-over-heels for her. They enjoyed a slow courtship before marrying in the 2021 Christmas Special, but she has since moved back to Jamaica and they are now divorced – with Cyril now in a relationship with Rosalind, which is going from strength to strength.

What else has Zephryn Taitte been in? He played Dorian in the TV series Brothers with No Game, and has also appeared in The Hour and Doctors. Taitte’s stage work includes Nora: A Doll's House, Trust, and The Tempest.

Annabelle Apsion plays Violet Buckle

Two older women and several children hold hands and laugh as they dance in a circle on a grassy lawn. The scene takes place outdoors in a garden with trees and a traditional-style building in the background, while another woman stands nearby watching and smiling. — Annabelle Apsion plays Violet Buckle. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney

Who is Violet Buckle? Back in season 4, Violet – a widow without children of her own – married Fred, and in season 6, Reggie joined the family. Violet runs her own haberdashery and is also the mayor of Tower Hamlets.

What else has Annabelle Apsion been in? The actress starred as Monica Gallagher in Shameless and as Joy Wilton in Soldier Soldier. For Christmas 2018 she was on TV as Betty Calloway in Torvill & Dean, and in recent years she's appeared in The Village, Holby City, The Halcyon, Father Brown, and Doc Martin.

Cliff Parisi plays Fred Buckle

Two older men walk through the interior of a ferry carrying cardboard boxes and green metal cases. One man, wearing a straw hat, glasses, suspenders, and plaid trousers, holds a box under one arm and a heavy case in his other hand. The other man, dressed in a brown three-piece suit with the jacket draped over his arm, carries a similar box and case. They appear focused and slightly strained as they navigate the narrow aisle between rows of empty wooden seats. The ferry’s interior is bright, with green railings visible outside and safety signs overhead. — Cliff Parisi plays Fred Buckle and Stephen McGann plays Patrick Turner. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Charmaine Man

Who is Fred Buckle? A handyman-turned-shopkeeper. He is married to Violet and they co-parent Reggie, who has Down's Syndrome. The midwives can always count on Fred for help, no matter what. He is also Poplar's resident Father Christmas.

What else has Cliff Parisi been in? The actor's most famous role is as Rick "Minty" Peterson in EastEnders, a role he held for eight years. Since then he's appeared in Hollyoaks, Midsomer Murders, and Shakespeare & Hathaway. He also starred in 2019's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! (though he didn't get very far).

Daniel Laurie plays Reggie Jackson

Who is Reggie Jackson? Reggie's first appearance in Call the Midwife came in season 6. His mother had died, leaving him orphaned, which prompted the nuns and the community to step in and help him. He has Down's Syndrome and is now the ward of Fred and Violet Buckle; together they are a loving and affectionate family.

What else has Daniel Laurie been in? Recently he's played Sheemie in The Dark Tower, Adam Beecher in Vera, and Zach in Finding Alice (alongside Keeley Hawes). In the TV series Back in 2016, he played the role of Jamie in the TV series Stella, and two years before that he led the cast of the Radio 4 adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Barnaby Rudge.

Christopher Harper plays Geoffrey Franklin

Three adults sit at a dining table in a warmly lit room. A man in a light cardigan looks ahead with a gentle smile, while a nun in a blue habit smiles as she holds a cup, and an older woman in a red cardigan looks down at her plate. Glasses, tableware, and a floral arrangement fill the foreground. — Christopher Harper plays Geoffrey Franklin. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney

Who is Geoffrey Franklin? Trixie's brother. Geoffrey is always the life and soul of the party.

What else has been in Christopher Harper? You might know him from Coronation Street.

Max Macmillan plays Timothy Turner

A person with medium-length dark hair stands in a warmly lit kitchen, holding a green rotary phone to their ear. They are wearing a brown patterned sweater and appear to be listening intently. A vase of flowers and the phone base sit on the counter beside them, with soft background lighting and household items creating a cozy, lived-in atmosphere. — Max Macmillan as Timothy Turner. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Charmaine Man

Who is Timothy Turner? Patrick and Shelagh's eldest son. He was away for a while at medical school, but he's now back and lending a hand in the surgery.

What else has Max Macmillan been in? This is his most notable role to date.

April Rae Hoang plays May

A young girl sits on a wooden chair inside a church, holding a small knitted item in her hands. She wears a pink patterned blouse and white cardigan while an adult holds a microphone toward her, with a softly lit nativity scene and Christmas decorations blurred in the background. — April Rae Hoang plays May. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney

Who is May? May Tang first arrived in the 2018 Christmas special, in the arms of Miriam Margolyes's Mother Mildred who turned up at Nonnatus House with a group of Chinese child refugees who'd been sent to the UK for adoption. Sadly, May's placement fell through and her family weren't able to collect her – leaving Patrick and Shelagh Turner to take her in as a foster child. They then decided to adopt her as their daughter, although in season 9 there was an unexpected development when her biological mother re-emerged and refused to sign away her parental rights, but things have settled since then. May is best friends with her sister, Angela, who is about the same age.

What else has April Rae Hoang been in? Call the Midwife is her first on-screen appearance.

Alice Brown plays Angela Turner

An adult woman smiles and leans toward two young girls as they sort through folded clothes on a table inside a hall. The girls wear matching pink blouses and white cardigans, holding knitted items, with a decorated Christmas tree and another woman working in the background. — Alice Brown plays Angela Turner. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney

Who is Angela Turner? Patrick and Shelagh Turner's daughter. She was adopted as a baby in season 4, gaining an older brother in Timothy Turner (Max Macmillan); since then, the family has expanded to include a new baby brother and another adopted sister, May.

What else has Alice Brown been in? Alice has been playing little Angela Turner since she was only eight months old. Back on season 6, Alice's dad told Radio Times how she ended up involved: "Annabel, my wife, just knew someone on the production and Alice’s arrival coincided with the storyline. It simply started from there." He added: "Do I now have any interest in her being a child actor in any other way? Zero interest. To be honest, we will simply enjoy playing the episodes back to her when she is older, and embarrassing her on her wedding day, and of course she now has quite a nice nest egg in her savings account.”

Additional cast includes:

Edward Shaw (I, Jack Wright) plays Edward 'Teddy' Turner.
Linda Hargreaves (Doctors) plays Mrs Wallace.

Who is the Call the Midwife narrator?

Dame Vanessa Redgrave serves as the voice of Jennifer Worth.

Who is Jennifer Worth? Nurse Jennifer Lee was the lead character of the first three seasons of Call the Midwife, and was played as a young woman by Jessica Raine. Following these early seasons, the character of Jennifer left the show and married her love interest Phillip Worth. As Jennifer Worth, the midwife kept in touch with her friends at Nonnatus House, and continues to narrate the events of the series as an older woman.

What else has Dame Vanessa Redgrave been in? A legend of stage and screen, Dame Vanessa Redgrave has won an Academy Award, a BAFTA, two Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Tony Award – meaning she has the triple crown of acting. Redgrave's film appearances include Behind the Mask, Julia, Isadora, Mary Queen of Scots, A Man for All Seasons, Camelot, Mission: Impossible, Atonement, Coriolanus and The Butler.

Call the Midwife season 14 guest stars include:

Yennis Cheung (EastEnders, Compulsion) plays Esther Tang - May's biological mother.
Max Ho plays Christopher Tang - Esther's young son.
Patra Au (Generation Slash, Twilight's Kiss, The Narrow Road) plays Mrs Ma - a local who assists the Nonnatus House party during their time in Hong Kong.
Nicholas Atkinson plays Derek Gee - Violet's son, who lives and works in Hong Kong as a police officer.
Arthur Devoy plays Jonty Aylward - Matthew's son.
Henry Goodman (The Damned United) plays Mr Fischer - he wants to rent out Cyril's flat.
Ines Laimins (Wait in Beijing) plays Sister Edith - a nun based in Hong Kong.
Allegra Marland (Dalgliesh) plays Dr Watkiss - a locum GP.
Aoife McMahon (Queenie) plays Queenie Forsyth - her daughter is pregnant, and she also discovers she's with child too.
Leia Murphy (Fair City) plays Marie Byrne - Queenie's daughter.
Leila Ayad (Doctors) plays Diane Edgar - a pregnant woman being looked after by Rosalind and Timothy.
Jai Day (The Rehearsal) plays Major Burr
Kimmi Tsim plays Grace Cheung - a friend of Esther's.
Thor Lok (Psycho Detective, Detrimental) plays Denzil Cheung - Grace's husband and a gangster.
Geoff Wong (Barrack O'Karma) plays The Cormorant - a gangster of "the very worst kind".
Eisa Latif plays Harry Chopra - Miss Higgins's grandson.

Call the Midwife season 15 will arrive on Sunday 11th January at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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