“I don’t have as much control as I once did.”
Call the Midwife fans were caught off guard in November when it was reported that Olly Rix, who plays Matthew, would be leaving the BBC drama.
It has since been confirmed to RadioTimes.com that the actor will feature in all of season 13, but there’s no word on what will happen beyond that, suggesting the finale could be his final episode – although the door is being left open for a possible return.
And in the Christmas special, there were rumblings that all is not well for Trixie’s husband, which could be the catalyst for that exit.
While sat in his car with Cyril, the pair were discussing Mr Sharma, a former navigator in the Indian air force, who was refusing to leave his property.
“I own that house,” said Matthew. “While he was still paying rent it went into my pocket, now he isn’t paying rent he’s squatting in my property. I have to talk to him, find him somewhere else.”
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When Cyril laid out Mr Sharmer’s basic needs, Matthew was frank with him.
“I don’t have as much control as I once did,” he replied. “I’m selling a lot of these buildings off.”
“Does that aggrieve you?” asked Cyril.
“Everything to do with my father’s business aggrieves me,” responded a very downbeat Matthew.
In season 12, Matthew hinted that his father’s finances weren’t as robust as he’d been led to believe.
During an argument about a family tiara that Trixie was planning to wear on their wedding day before it was sold by his mother, Matthew said: “Perhaps things weren’t as liquid as they might have been in their personal accounts”.
While this latest hiccup could just be a blip – managing a business in a volatile, ever-changing world isn’t for the faint of heart – it could also signal serious trouble ahead, which will undoubtedly impact Trixie and their marriage.
It has been confirmed to RadioTimes.com that Helen George, who stars as the midwife, isn’t leaving at the end of season 13, which means the pair will be separated if Rix’s last episode is the finale.
The couple have had their fair share of challenges to contend with, but this would be their biggest yet.
Can they overcome it? Or is the end nigh for Trixie and Matthew?
Call the Midwife season 13 premieres on Sunday 7th January at 8pm. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Drama hub for more news and features.
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