Call the Midwife’s saddest exits ever – from devastating stroke death to mental health torture
CALL the Midwife has faced several sad exits over the years – from a heartbreaking stroke death to mental health torture.
Since the series debuted in 2012, a number of characters have left Poplar.
Viewers will soon be set for another emotional departure, as a popular star is bowing out of the BBC drama after four years.
Megan Cusack confirmed her imminent exit as Nancy Corrigan to RadioTimes last month.
Megan said: “Sometimes, you’ve got to step out of your comfort zone to grow.
“I’ve learnt so much, but I’m at the start of my career and I need to take a leap of faith.”
She continued: “It’s bittersweet, really. I’ve made lifelong friendships there and I get to take those with me.
“But when I think about not rocking up to set and seeing Tim, who’s part of the grips team, with his guitar hanging out of his van and serenading people at half six in the morning… It really has been like a family.”
Here is a look back at some of the past poignant departures on Call the Midwife.
Sister Evangelina
Played by Pam Ferris, Sister Evangelina was part of Call the Midwife‘s original cast.
Longtime fans will remember her as a skilled midwife, in addition to being a devout nun.
Unlike some of her other Sisters-Of-God, Sister Evangelina grew up in poverty.
Ferris departed the programme in the series five finale – with the character dying following two strokes.
Earlier, Sister Evangelina had been helping Barbara care for an expectant mother on the verge of giving birth.
She heard the newborn baby crying while out of the room and gave the child a bath, despite limited movement in her left arm.
Upon hers and Barbara’s return to Nonnatus House, Sister Evangelina sat in her chair in front of the fire and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, it is handyman Fred who realised that Sister Evangelina had died.
Nurse Barbara Hereward
Nurse Barbara Hereward was played by Charlotte Ritchie – who is also well known for Ghosts and Fresh Meat.
In Call the Midwife, Nurse Barbara lost her life in series seven due to blood poisoning.
This tragedy came just as the character had gotten married and was happy in her job.
Her career as a midwife ended when the infection damaged the tissue in her three of her fingers.
A bittersweet moment saw Barbara and Tom (Jack Ashton) discuss their future together – excited to start a family.
But after he leaves, Barbara admits to her friend Phyllis (Linda Bassett) to being aware she’s not getting better.
Nurse Barbara ultimately succumbs to the infection, with Tom and Phyllis both by her side.
Sister Mary Cynthia
Played by Bryony Hannah, Sister Mary Cynthia was a regular character in series one through six.
Compassionate and soft-spoken, the other midwives nicknamed her “the little one”.
Initially a nurse, the character’s mental health journey begins in series two – when a child dies after she delivers him.
Poplar’s residents suspect Cynthia of making a costly mistake impacting the baby’s life.
Beginning to doubt her abilities, she later goes on to suffer a breakdown – but, with the help of Sister Julienne, she recovers.
An autopsy later revealed the baby’s death was caused by the lungs having not fully inflated.
Later, she becomes a nun with the religious name Sister Mary Cynthia.
In series five, her story takes another tragic turn after being violently attacked by a man.
This ordeal continues to affect her and she is later sent to the Mother House by Sister Ursula.
In Series 6, Sister Mary Cynthia is sent to the Mother House by Sister Ursula.
She is later found in an asylum where she has been admitted as a patient, but is not getting the help she needs.
Dr Turner and Sister Julienne get her into their care, and send her to a community for mental health care. She reverts to her birth name, Cynthia.
Alec Jesmond
Portrayed by Leo Starr, the character of Alec Jesmond appeared in series two and series three.
Viewers may remember Alec as the boyfriend to Jennifer Lee (Jessica Raine).
In series three, the architect fell through unstable scaffolding which ultimately shattered his femur.
Owing to a desperate bid to save Alec’s leg, his foot needed to be amputated.
Unfortunately, a clot formed due to the fracture which came loose and travelled to his lungs.
Alec passed away as love interest Jenny helps Sister Winifred deliver a baby.
Furthermore, Alec’s mother was unable to attend his funeral as she lived abroad in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
Reggie’s mum
Emotional scenes aired in 2017 saw Reggie Jackson (Daniel Laurie) – who has Down’s Syndrome – left alone upon his mother’s death.
His cousin Fred (Cliff Parisi) -handyman at Nonnatus House – ultimately took the young man in.
But Reggie found it difficult coming to terms with his mother’s passing.
One wrote on X – then Twitter: Another explosion of emotion on @CallTheMidwife1 tonight, how they pack so much into 1 hour?! Brilliant..”
Another penned: “actor playing Reggie was charming, funny n left me in floods of happy tears. So touching to see him get new independence #callthemidwife.”
While a third remarked: “#callthemidwife has me in tears every episode. Bravo to the actor playing Reggie!Left hanging every week,just brilliant.”
Call The Midwife: A breakdown
Call The Midwife first came onto the airwaves in 2012 and has been seen by millions. But what is it about?
Series one: Set in early 1957 and it explored the ‘Baby Boom generation, which included themes of poverty and post-war immigration.
Series two: Set in 1958 and it showed gas and air being introduced for pain relief for the first time. It ended with the Nonnatus House building being condemned.
Series three: Set in 1959 and it depicted gruesome conditions such as cystic fibrosis, polio and it showed the midwives in the context on prisons.
Series four: Set in 1960 under the threat of nuclear warfare and the emergency response guidelines issued by the local Civil Defence Corp. Other themes included LGBT rights, and syphilis.
Series five: Set in 1961 and it shows the care of patients with conditions such as Typhoid and strokes. We also saw the effects of thalidomide, the introduction of the contraceptive pill.
Series six: Set in 1962 and domestic violence was at the centre of the season. Other themes included FGM (female genital mutilation), mental health issues and interracial marriage. It was also notable for the introduction of Reggie, a recurring character with Down Syndrome.
Series seven: Set in 1963 and we see Nurse Lucille Anderson for the first time. We also see the show address conditions such as dementia, huntington’s disease, leprosy and meningitis
Series eight: Set in 1964 and it bravely covered the issue of abortion, which was not legal for another three years in 1967. Sickle cell disease, cleft lip, cleft palate and intersex people also featured.
Series nine: Diptheria was at the centre of the ninth instalment in 1965, and it was notable for featuring a blind expectant mother. But the role of Nonnatus House within the community also came into question.
Series ten: Set in 1966, Nonnatus House has a rival in the form of the private Lady Emily Clinic in Mayfair. PKU, diabetes and the controversy surrounding abortion were central themes.
Series eleven: Set in 1967 amid the housing crisis and a scabies epidemic. The show was rocked by a train crash right next to Nonnatus House.
Meanwhile, creator Heidi Thomas recently hinted the show could take a break after 13 years on our screens.
She said: “Those of us who are most invested with the show, cast and producers alike, who have been there since the beginning, it is our lives.
“I don’t believe Call the Midwife will ever end. But I do think we might take a break at some point.”
Call the Midwife continues on BBC One and iPlayer.