Fans of Call the Midwife are in for a treat as the beloved BBC drama returns, with a new set of challenges for the characters.
Ahead of the show’s 14th season premiere this Sunday night, actresses Renee Bailey and Natalie Quarry shared their experiences of filming the popular show, chatting with BBC Breakfasts Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty.
Towards the end of the interview, however, the BBC host Naga asked the actors, who portray Joyce Highland and Rosalind Clifford in the popular series, an unusual question. Naga bluntly asked: “Who was the last person to drop a baby on-set?” initiating an audible gasp from the two actors before they gave their answer.
Natalie responded firmly: “I don’t think that’s ever happened.” Renee confirmed: “I think that’s the one thing that everyone can probably say hands down has never happened, yet!”
Continuing the line of questioning, the presenter enquired if even model babies had ever been dropped, drawing laughter when both actresses simultaneously insisted: “No!”
Charlie joined the conversation asking the actresses about distinguishing between the artificial and the actual infants during production. They confessed such differentiation was tricky due to the realism of the models.
Natalie disclosed that her fellow actor found the props quite unsettling at first, with Renee remarking: “In the beginning they do look really real, it’s quite scary actually. To the point where you’re like, ‘who has left the baby on the counter!'”
During the same interview, they delved into how they learn about upcoming storylines for the show. Natalie shared that the actors receive the scripts one episode at a time.
She said: “I don’t know when we start the season what’s necessarily going to happen at the end of the season, so it is like a little present every time you get that email with the script and you’re like, ‘Oh god, what’s going to happen?!'”
The 14th season of Call the Midwife is set to debut on BBC One on Sunday, January 5 at 8pm. The upcoming episode offers a glimpse into March 1970, as the team helps a pregnant teenager whose parents are convinced she has had an immaculate conception.
Meanwhile, protests throw the Nonnatus crew into disarray, and Nancy’s romantic life flourishes.