INTERVIEW
The hit period drama has been a must-watch for over a decade. Now, the cast tell us to get the tissues ready for more heartwarming birth stories, fallouts and, of course, heaps of snow
JENNY: ‘I always enjoy childbirth scenes’
As the Sister-in-charge at Nonnatus House, Jenny Agutter’s character, Sister Julienne, never fails to bring a sense of calm and expertise whenever she enters the room.
And, much like the character she’s played for over 10 years since joining the show in 2012, Jenny, 70, says she still relishes being at the centre of the action. “I always enjoy birthing scenes,” she says, as she reveals that something extra special will take place in Poplar during this year’s festive special – set as the nuns see out 1968.
Never a show to shy away from difficult conversations that empower women, as well as taking viewers on a tear-fuelled emotional whirlwind, this year is no different as it tackles the very current topics of depression and fertility treatments.
And Jenny reveals Sister Julienne will again be at the heart of it all, saying, “She has a particularly busy Christmas. There is an exploration of a new medication for fertility, which brings with it a mother who is expecting twins as a result.”
And Jenny hints that there’s a surprise in store for fans, adding, “There is something in there which is going to be a surprise to everybody. There’s quite a build up to it, and I can say no more!”
STEPHEN & LAURA: ‘There’s all the treats you expect’
As the longest-running couple of the show, Dr Turner, played by Stephen McGann, and Nurse Shelagh Turner, played by Laura Main, never fail to charm viewers.
And while Laura, 46, says fans will swoon for the Turners’ “beautiful” authentic ’60s festive décor – with “live creatures” featuring on their family’s lists to Father Christmas – Stephen reveals the main star of the show will be the spectacular snowy scenes.
Stephen, 60, says, “The Christmas specials always pack so much in – there is all the festive love and treats you can expect. I think people would be gutted if we didn’t have snow; this year there is a lot of snow – and it matters. There is snow where it’s urgent, snow where it’s dangerous...”
Sharing the crew’s behind-the-scenes secrets to creating the perfect white Christmas, he adds, “That involved us going down to the lovely dockyards in Chatham, where we film many of our outside scenes, and making it look snowy.
“We filmed the Christmas episode in the summer, but they managed to convert these lovely Victorian streets, which stand in for Poplar, so that they looked freezing.”
ZEPHRYN: ‘It’s the King’s Speech, then us!
His character, engineer and pastor Cyril Robinson,
