Call The Midwife’s Helen George admits it was a ‘miracle’ the series could resume production during the Covid pandemic – as filming kicks off for the Christmas Special
Call The Midwife star Helen George has revealed it was a ‘miracle’ the show could resume filming after production was halted due to the Covid pandemic.
The actress, 36, who plays Nurse Beatrix ‘Trixie’ Franklin in the series, said bosses were able to resume work on Series 10 with strict social distancing measures, but due to the coronavirus crisis they are yet to celebrate the show’s 10th Anniversary.
It comes as BBC bosses confirmed that filming had already started for the Call The Midwife Christmas Special, and offered fans a glimpse of the show’s set in a behind-the-scenes clip.
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Dramatic: Call The Midwife star Helen George has revealed it was a ‘miracle’ the show could resume filming after production was halted due to the Covid pandemic
Speaking on Thursday’s This Morning, Helen told Phillip Schofield and Rochelle Humes that it was a challenge for bosses to get the cast back on set with the government’s new safety measures.
She said: ‘Well it kind of was I suppose. We do start filming in March, then the first lockdown was announced. We started in September and filmed all the way to Christmas.
‘We finished, gosh, seven weeks ago and started filming new series this week also.’
Production woes: The actress said bosses were able to resume work on Series 10 with strict social distancing measures
Exciting: Helen, who plays Nurse Beatrix ‘Trixie’ Franklin in the series will appear in Call The Midwife’s 10th series, which began on Sunday
Helen explained that the cast usually have a six month break between filming for each series, but work has already started on Series 11, which will include their annual festive special.
She also revealed that the cast haven’t even celebrated Call The Midwife’s 10th Anniversary, adding: ‘We’re still waiting – haven’t even had a glass of champagne together, it is yet to come.’
Call The Midwife’s 10th series began on BBC on Sunday, and will see Nonnatus House move into the world of private healthcare in a bid to earn enough to still care for the residents of Poplar.
Candid: Speaking on Thursday’s This Morning, Helen said that it was a challenge for bosses to get the cast back on set with the government’s new safety measures
Back to work already! She said: ‘We do start filming in March, then the first lockdown was announced. We started in September and filmed all the way to Christmas’
The show will also tackle the iconic 1966 World Cup, as well as the devastating effects that nuclear bomb tests had on army veterans and their children.
Discussing adjusting to new filming measures during the pandemic, Helen added: ‘We got really good at looking close to people but still the two metre distance, the camera is also so good at changing distance between people.
‘It was challenging to get used to but once used to it, it’s remarkably quick and easy to get used to actually.’
Already? She also revealed that filming has already started for Series 11, which will air in 2022
It came as Call The Midwife bosses revealed that filming had started on the upcoming Christmas Special, offering fans a glimpse of the production in a behind-the-scenes clip.
The clip features Stephen McGann, who plays Dr Turner, and Cliff Parisi, who plays handyman Fred Buckle.
Stephen says: ‘Can you believe it? We’re back on set again!’ before an excited Cliff declares: ‘And it’s Christmas!’
‘Santa! Santa Claus, so we’re back filming the Christmas Special, as you can see perfect sunshine, because it’s always sunny during filming for the Christmas Special.’
As the clip shows many of the show’s cast on set getting ready for filming, Laura Main, who plays Shelagh Turner, adds: ‘We’re back already filming series 11, and series 10 has just aired so it’s an unusual situation filming and airing at the same time.
‘But it’s what a boost getting all that reaction and call the comments that I’ve seen it’s just wonderful to read.’
Call The Midwife continues on Sunday at 8pm on BBC One.