‘Trixie loves a fight!'

Helen George on the drama to come as her dedicated midwife takes a break

- CAREN CLARK

CALL THE MIDWIFE

SUNDAY / BBC1 / 8PM / EP 5 of 8 / DRAMA

Nonnatus House just wouldn’t be the same without Trixie Franklin.

From the first episode of BBC1 period drama Call the Midwife a decade ago, the stylish midwife’s no-nonsense but caring attitude has helped her navigate all manner of cases.

But this week, she bids a reluctant farewell to Poplar to answer a call of duty concerning her beloved godmother in Portofino.

Thankfully for Trixie’s colleagues and boyfriend Matthew Aylward (Olly Rix), plus the show’s millions of fans, it’s a temporary departure, so that star Helen George could go on maternity leave before she gave birth to her second child, daughter Lark, last November.

TV Times caught up with Helen, 37, who is always a lovely and friendly interviewee, for an exclusive chat about motherhood, her ‘sad’ leaving storyline, and what the future might hold for Trixie and Matthew…

Congratulations on the arrival of baby Lark!

Thank you! Wren [Helen and former co-star Jack Ashton’s daughter, four] has been very welcoming and is a lovely big sister.

It’s nice having another baby in the house. I cherish every moment and all the cuddles. Because of the pandemic, we’ve not been holding babies on the show, but it all comes back. You forget they’re so tiny!

Aww! What can you tell us about Trixie’s departure?