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Call the Midwife cast out of costume: the stars' real-life looks away from show

The long-running BBC show is set in the 1960s


Helen George and Georgie Glen© @helenrgeorge/Instagram/Shutterstock
Nicky Morris
TV and film writer
September 6, 2024
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We're counting down the days until Call the Midwife returns to our screens with a Christmas special later this year, which will be followed by a brand new series in 2025. The much-loved period drama follows the lives of the nurses and midwives working at Nonnatus House in the deprived Poplar district of London's east End. 

But it's not all blue nursing uniforms with practical belts and nuns' robes for the cast of the hit BBC series. Away from the show, Helen George, Megan Cusack, Jenny Agutter and their co-stars couldn't look more different from their on-screen counterparts. Find out what they look like out of costume below…

WATCH: Meet the cast of Call the Midwife
Helen George in and out of costume© BBC/@helenrgeorge/Instagram

Helen George as Nurse Trixie Aylward

Just like her on-screen counterpart, who is known for her stylish 1960s wardrobe, Helen is super fashionable. Here, the actress looks stunning in a pink shimmer dress, featuring ruffled sleeves and a cinched waist. While her long brunette locks couldn't be more different to Trixie's sharp, platinum-blonde bob, both Helen and her character look great with winged eyeliner and a pink lip!

Stephen McGann in and out of costume© BBC/Ian West - PA Images

Stephen McGann as Dr Patrick Turner

Viewers are used to seeing Stephen in a three-piece suit and slicked-back hair on their TV screens and while the actor is just as smart in real life, his look is a little more relaxed. In the photo above, the 61-year-old-old, who has played Dr Stephen Turner since the very first episode, looks dashing in a dark suit and navy tie, while letting his hair hang loose over his forehead. 

Laura Main in and out of costume© BBC/@lauramain1/Instagram

Laura Main as Shelagh Turner

Shelagh often opts for a modest look on the show, wearing minimal makeup whilst styling her hair in a beehive. But away from Poplar, actress Laura is much more glamorous. Here, the Scottish star dons a stunning yellow down, adorned with glittering sequins. She completed the ensemble with a glowing make-up look, with a red lip to match her painted fingernails. 

Jenny Agutter in and out of costume© BBC/Getty Images

Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne

Viewers don't often see Sister Julienne without her nuns' habit but when Jenny isn't filming the show, she lets her stylish bob loose. In the photo above, the actress looks worlds away from her character in a bold red dress, which she accessorised with gold earrings and a natural make-up look. 

Megan Cusack in and out of costume© BBC/Shutterstock

Megan Cusack as Nancy Corrigan

When Nancy isn't working at Nonnatus House, she's known to wear the latest 1970s fashion trends and is often seen in vibrant dresses featuring colourful, floral patterns. Actress Megan is just as stylish in real life and in the photo above, looks incredible in a fitted leather dress, featuring a daring zip down the front. 

Zephryn Taitte in and out of costume© BBC/Shutterstock

Zephryn Taitte as Cyril Robinson

Cyril is always suited and booted when we see him out and about in Poplar and his real-life counterpart is just as smart! Here, the actor opted for a more paired-down look in a crisp white shirt with a tweed waistcoat. Unlike Cyril, Zephyrn prefers a goatee – and we think it suits him!

Georgie Glen in and out of costume© BBC/Shutterstock

Georgie Glen as Miss Higgins

Miss Higgins is seldom seen without a smart, tweed blazer and a colourful hat but away from the cameras, actress Georgie's fashion sense is much more relaxed. In the photo above, the 68-year-old sports a grey knitted jumper, accompanied by a purple patterned scarf.

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