Call the Midwife’s Helen George explains Trixie’s “frustration” with Sister Julienne

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In Call the Midwife season 15, crunch time is fast approaching for Nonnatus House.

For decades, this organization has been essential to the well-being of Poplar. However, it may be forced to close permanently if the nuns who run it don’t agree to NHS requirements. The NHS will withdraw funding at the end of the year if the sisters continue to wear religious habits.

I understand Jenny Agutter’s point completely. It’s not simply about needing to show who you are; it’s about feeling useful and knowing where you fit in. When someone asks you to identify yourself, it can really make you question if you’re still valued or if your contribution is still wanted. It’s a much bigger issue than just a simple request.

First the habit, and then what? The ceasing of Nonnatus House altogether?

Honestly, Sister Julienne has been really pondering what to do about this whole situation. She’s been thinking hard about whether we should follow the new rules or stick to our guns, and she’s got to decide before August 31st – that’s Saint Raymond Nonnatus’s feast day, and when she’s sending off her answer. It’s been weighing on her a lot these past few weeks!

However, while she’s been considering things, others around her, especially Trixie, are growing impatient for answers. Trixie has repeatedly suggested they can’t wait much longer and has been trying to figure things out herself.

With her increased management responsibilities in addition to her work as a midwife, Trixie decided to investigate how The Lady Emily, a private clinic, handles its funding. Sister Julienne, however, wasn’t pleased to hear about this.

“They are for the benefit of the rich, not the needy,” she snapped — the air thick with tension.

Helen George recently discussed the complicated relationship between herself and a colleague at the TopMob Covers Party 2026. While they enjoy a good working relationship and have always been positive towards each other, they have significant differences in opinion.

Heidi Thomas, the show’s creator, has always been skilled at highlighting the contrasts between the midwives and nuns, and exploring how Trixie’s lack of religious upbringing impacts her. It’s hard for Trixie to relate because she doesn’t share that background. She deeply cares about Nonnatus House and the community there – it’s incredibly important to her, and she would be completely lost without it.

Sister Julienne simply can’t understand why anyone would continue with something just to maintain it, especially when it’s meant to support women and the community. She finds the whole idea incredibly frustrating.

“She understands it,” added George. “She just doesn’t like it.”

Whether things continue as they are for Nonnatus House and its staff or not, this season of Call the Midwife marks a significant turning point, according to writer Heidi Thomas. She often uses change as a way to move her stories forward.

I honestly don’t know how I’d feel if things stayed the same. Really, life is all about adapting and facing new challenges.

As a film buff, I get what she means when she says always thinking about what’s next feels natural. But she also confessed it can be surprisingly tough emotionally, and I totally relate to that – it’s exciting, but also a little daunting, always chasing the next big idea.

She explained that everyone experiences sadness when things change, but that, much like life, Call the Midwife is always evolving – both its characters and its storylines are constantly growing and changing.

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Call the Midwife season 15 continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday at 8pm.

Authors

Abby RobinsonDrama Editor

Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor at TopMob, where she writes about TV dramas and comedies. Before joining TopMob, she worked as a TV writer for Digital Spy and a content writer for Mumsnet. She holds a degree and a postgraduate diploma in English Studies.

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2026-02-06 18:07