Call the Midwife has returned to our screens, with the nuns of Nonnatus House tackling a fresh set of challenges in tonight’s series premiere alongside a line-up of new characters
20:19, 11 Jan 2026Updated 20:40, 11 Jan 2026
Call the Midwife is back on our screens tonight(Image: )
Tonight’s Call the Midwife premiere sees Sister Veronica worry for the welfare of four young children as we return to Nonnatus House – however, there’s one new guest star who period drama fans may recognise. The series 15 premiere follows the Poplar nuns and midwives as they face new professional challenges while also taking part in the roaring women’s liberation movement.
One particularly key storyline sees Sister Veronica (Rebecca Gethings) become concerned for Ian and Edna Kingsley’s children after suspecting that they’re being neglected by their parents. Larner Wallace-Taylor takes on the role of Edna, while Turlough Convery plays her husband Ian.
However, fans of ITV’s Sanditon may know Turlough for playing the drastically different Arthur Parker in the Jane Austen drama from 2019 until 2023. His key storyline in the adaptation saw bachelor Arthur come out as gay and reveal his feelings for the Duke of Buckinghamshire, Lord Harry Montrose (played by Edward Davis).
Turlough Convery as Ian in Call the Midwife(Image: )
The 34-year-old Northern Irish actor is also known for playing Bear in Killing Eve and for his roles in House of the Dragon, Slow Horses, Anne Boleyn and Resident Evil. Meanwhile, he started off his career back in 2013 by taking on guest roles in sitcoms Fresh meat, Siblings and My Mad Fat Diary.
Turlough has also appeared in a number of films – including the award-winning drama Belfast, sci-fi thriller Ready Player One and folk horror The Damned.
Tonight’s episode also sees Outlander star Izzy Meikle-Small play expectant mother Thelma Cutler, while Count Abdulla’s Sophie Reid joins the cast as Women’s Liberation Movement member Maxine Drummond.
Turlough is best known for playing Arthur Parker in Sanditon(Image: )
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child star Gordon Millar takes on the role of Thelma’s husband Kevin, while Casualty’s Nicholas Tizzard plays Dr. Ashton.
Ahead of tonight’s series, Call the Midwife star Judy Parfitt opened up about filming the show at the age of 90 and how it could be “horrendous” at times.
Speaking to Radio Times, she said: “I have to be character and inhabit them. I can’t act any other way.
“I can’t sort of be external and watch myself. In these episodes, I’m playing scenes that there’s no way I can leave behind.”
She continued: “It’s been horrendous, on occasion. For an actor, a vivid imagination is wonderful to have – and hell to live with.”
Call the Midwife airs Sundays at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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