A major ‘Call the Midwife’ character has quit the show
One of the main cast members of Call the Midwife won’t be returning next season.
Jennifer Kirby, who played Val in the BBC’s hit period drama series about a group of nurse midwives working in the East End of London, has confirmed that she’s decided to leave the show.
Kirby joined the cast as Nurse Valerie Dyer in 2017’s sixth season.
Responding to the news, Call the Midwife executive producer Pippa Harris said: “It has been a delight to work with Jennifer on Call the Midwife and we wish her well as she cycles away from Nonnatus House.”
Jennifer Kirby commented on Twitter: “After four joyful years spent with Call the Midwife I have decided to say goodbye to Nonnatus, Val, and the wonderful cast, crew and production team.”
She added: “The programme is truly a national treasure, and it will always be a huge honour for me to have been a part of something so wonderful. I can’t wait to keep watching our beloved Nonnatuns from the other side of the screen. Long live Call the Midwife. So long chicks.”
Kirby will apparently not be appearing in the upcoming feature-length festive special, although we expect that fans will hear a mention of where Val has gone.
This year’s Call the Midwife Christmas special will premiere in the UK at 7.40pm on Friday 25th December on BBC One.
It’ll then air in the US at 9pm ET on Friday 25th December on PBS Masterpiece.
A tenth season of Call the Midwife will follow in early 2021, with the team recently revealing the safety measures they’ve been taking while filming during the pandemic.
In the meantime, check out this brilliant official Call the Midwife board game!
Season 9 is available on DVD on Amazon.