Is It Farewell To Sister Julienne?

In an exclusive chat with Yours, actress Jenny Agutter reveals that Sister Julienne may be departing Nonnatus House this Christmas

- Alison James

The Call the Midwife Christmas special has become almost as much a festive tradition as turkey and trimming the tree. Around ten million of us settle down on Christmas night to reacquaint ourselves with the nuns and midwives of Nonnatus House and the people of Poplar, while also treating ourselves to a bit of a nostalgia fest as we remember the way Christmas was celebrated in the late Fifties and early Sixties.

Yet beneath the skinny tinsel, paper chains and festive-themed home-knits, there’s always a decent helping of drama to keep us gripped. This year the fate of Sister Julienne, played by Jenny Agutter, takes centre stage.

“There is a real possibility that Sister Julienne will leave Nonnatus House for good this Christmas,” Jenny tells Yours. “The prospect is heartbreaking for her as she loves the community and people of Poplar.”

Leaving Nonnatus House for good..? Surely not. As Jenny says, Nonnatus House and Poplar are part of Sister Julienne’s DNA. We can’t help fearing, therefore, that Jenny is hinting that her character is leaving this Christmas in order to meet her maker. Please don’t say she’s being killed off!

“No, it’s not that,” Jenny replies with a smile. “She is summonsed to the Mother House – where the order is based – because the Mother Superior is terminally ill. It is the dying wish of Mother Jesu Emmanuel that Sister Julienne becomes the new Mother Superior.