Call the Midwife’s Helen George exposes personal vulnerabilities in new show: “It’s not glamorous”

The show features Helen George, Lucy Punch, Sir Lenny Henry, Ross Noble, Rachel Riley, Ade Adepitan, and Dougie Poynter as they explore the waters of the Bahamian islands of Bimini, where they encounter a variety of sharks including bull sharks in a diving cage, as well as hammerheads and stingrays. This region is home to around 7 to 10 different species of sharks.

Or, more casually:

In the series, Helen George, Lucy Punch, Sir Lenny Henry, Ross Noble, Rachel Riley, Ade Adepitan, and Dougie Poynter dive with bull sharks in a cage and hang out with hammerheads, stingrays, and other marine life on the beautiful islands of Bimini in the Bahamas. This area is home to several types of shark species.

Over the course of five episodes, the sizes and risk levels of the breeds escalate, culminating in their most daunting test yet – a dive among formidable tiger sharks.

Despite the title suggesting otherwise, George from Call the Midwife wasn’t expecting to encounter real sharks since it’s a television production, and he found it hard to believe anyone would really participate in such an activity.

When she consented to participate, not only did she harbor fear of sharks, but she had a deep-seated fear that extended to submerging her head underwater – an act she hadn’t undertaken for 15 years. In her own words, “I consider myself quite brave, so I assumed I would handle it well, but I was far from it.” At that moment, the sharks were almost insignificant; the real challenge was overcoming her fear of the water!

In the initial episode, she recounts an incident from her youth where she attended a pool party. As she attempted to break the water’s surface, floating mats on top hindered her from exiting.

Instead of signing up herself, she enrolled in the show mainly for her three and seven-year-old daughters. The reason being, she wanted to boost their confidence by demonstrating courage. They were pleasantly surprised that she went at all since they didn’t expect it due to her water fears. Needless to say, some scenes might make her a bit self-conscious because of her apprehension towards the water.

As an actress, portraying other people’s vulnerabilities is routine for me, but showing my own emotions is always nerve-wracking. I find myself shedding genuine tears with no makeup or styling… it’s far from glamorous. Now I’m questioning, “What have I gotten myself into?” It’s been years since I last appeared on screen without a character to hide behind, and even then, it was an uncomfortable experience for me.

In this series, various celebrities are venturing beyond their usual boundaries, yet they’re not alone – they’re backed by both fellow cast members and professional experts in shark diving and safety. One such expert is Paul de Gelder, a man who lost an arm and leg to a bull shark attack but has since made shark conservation his mission. What’s remarkable about this group is that they’ve all earned PADI certifications as well.

George found himself lagging slightly behind everyone else’s training schedule. There was uncertainty whether he would be able to complete his PADI certification in time for filming, as he wasn’t at the same skill level as the others due to his fear. He feared they might send him back home immediately and find a replacement.

snorkeling lessons. However, she didn’t want to miss out on group activities, so she gathered her courage and took up the challenge. She thought, “I can’t afford to be left behind or struggle during the first week.

The famous personalities stayed in the Bahamas for more than three weeks, often spending around eight hours on a diving boat per day. Adjusting to wearing a wetsuit was an experience, as George notes: “It can be swelteringly hot one moment and freezing cold the next. You’re basically always wet.

Your skin is extremely dry due to the saltwater, making it challenging to maintain a presentable appearance for the camera while also dealing with it. The need for vanity seems insignificant in this situation. It appears everyone is having trouble staying dry in their wetsuits.

Over the course of the series, George transforms from someone who had never watched Jaws due to her intense fear of sharks, into a person who swims with them and even finds appreciation for them. “I’m going to watch Jaws – after seeing them firsthand, it won’t frighten me in the least!

Sharks aren’t out to get us; instead, it’s crucial that we safeguard them. Although I may have joked about my own fear, the underlying message of this program is to emphasize their significance and the need for their preservation. The health of our oceans relies on these remarkable creatures.

George’s most cherished instant occurred when she witnessed two enormous Hammerhead sharks swimming overhead in the water. “I hadn’t anticipated that I would muster the courage for it. I was so moved – they’re so seldom spotted. There were instances where I found myself completely immersed and mindful.

George’s objective for appearing on the show was that once it concluded, she would feel less fearful when swimming in the ocean. Has she managed to accomplish this? (I have swum underwater, but I haven’t gone diving since then; I want to go again so as not to forget the skill.)

I hadn’t expected that my experience would involve confronting my greatest fear live on television, but that’s exactly what happened!