Call the Midwife teases concerning change for Nonnatus House

By Abby Robinson

Published: Sunday, 22 January 2023 at 12:00 am

Nurse Crane’s (Linda Bassett) role at Nonnatus House was under serious threat in tonight’s (Sunday 22nd January) episode of Call the Midwife.

After a spiky encounter with a doctor who also sits on the board of health, she received a letter summoning her to appear before a panel on the grounds that she’s working past retirement age.

“You’ve broken no laws,” says Miss Higgins (Georgie Glen), attempting to ease her fears. “You have no need to explain yourself.”

But Nurse Crane was already envisaging the worst.

“I do though,” she replies. “What if they tell me I’ve got to give up working? Who would I be without this uniform?”

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Linda Bassett as Nurse Phyllis Crane in Call the Midwife.

Thankfully, Nurse Crane won’t be hanging up her tunic anytime soon. Instead, she’s been instructed to attend a number of refresher courses to ensure that she’s up to date with the latest developments.

“I’m a good midwife, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be a better one,” she said. She went on to talk about how Nonnatus House “does things differently”, but a member of the board swiftly cut her off before she could say her piece.

“Yes, you do,” he responded, visibly unimpressed. “And it’s gone on far too long. Nonnatus House and its eccentricities we will return to in due course. I will be speaking to Sister Julienne.”

A short time later, Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) communicated her concerns to Nurse Crane, Sister Veronica (Rebecca Gethings) and Sister Monica Joan (Judy Parfitt). “I have to be completely candid with you,” she said. “I’ve been worried about the council’s attitude to Nonnatus House for some time. But things have taken a marked turn for the worse.”

The board has yet to specify what grand plans it has in store, but the midwives should expect the news “soon enough”.

Just when you thought they were out of the woods, the future looks more uncertain than ever.