Shelagh Turner Star Drops Bombshell About Emotional Twist for Beloved Character
Call the Midwife fans are bracing themselves for a wave of emotions as one beloved character could face significant challenges in the upcoming holiday special, told the Mirror. Laura Main, who plays Shelagh Turner on the popular BBC series, teased some exciting drama while speaking with the Loose Women panel on Monday.
Main hinted at a major cliffhanger but remained tight-lipped about the specifics, saying: “I would say the cliffhanger. Obviously, you’re going to have the stories of the episodes, so that will have to continue. There is, it’s involving a much-loved member of the community, the cliffhanger, that’s all I’m going to say! I don’t think it’s going to ruin your Christmas. I think you will want to keep watching”, reported by the Express.
Despite the suspense, Main reassured fans that the Call the Midwife Christmas special, airing over two episodes on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, will still deliver the festive cheer viewers expect, featuring a Salvation Army band and a funfair. For the first time ever, the show will air a double episode during the holiday season.
Set in 1969, the Christmas special will see the Nonnatus House team navigating a busy holiday season, with influenza outbreaks and the added tension of an escaped prisoner threatening the peace of Poplar. The outline for the special reveals: “Fears grow that he may be in the local area after a spate of break-ins. The Turner children are caught up in the fever surrounding the Blue Peter Christmas appeal to collect dinky cars and scrap metal.”
Other exciting plot points include Trixie’s visit to Nonnatus House, her reunion with her brother Geoffrey, and Miss Higgins hosting her grandson Harry for Christmas. Violet will also host a mince pie competition, but the Buckles’ preparations for Reggie’s homecoming are thrown into chaos.
The Christmas special will feature the return of fan-favorite characters, including Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan, Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne, Helen George as Trixie Aylward, Cliff Parisi as Fred Buckle, and Stephen McGann as Dr Turner, among others.
Creator and writer Heidi Thomas OBE shared her excitement about the two-part special: “Who doesn’t love finding an extra, unexpected present underneath the Christmas tree? When I was asked to write a two-part Christmas special for 2024, I couldn’t resist!”
Pippa Harris, the executive producer, added: “For the first time, viewers can luxuriate in a two-part festive treat this Christmas. Heidi has created a spellbinding special which I know will delight our loyal fans.”
The highly anticipated new series of Call the Midwife will debut in early 2025, and with another series already confirmed, fans can look forward to even more heartwarming drama until at least 2026.