Yahoo News Call the Midwife adds Miriam Margolyes for series 8
Call the Midwife has unveiled details of its next series and upcoming Christmas special, adding none other than the legendary Miriam Margolyes to the cast.
The Harry Potter star will join later this year for the special, as well as the first episode of series eight as Sister Mildred, described as a "forthright and indefatigable" sister from the Order.
"She arrives unexpectedly at Nonnatus House, her hands full with four Chinese orphans," the official synopsis reveals. "Having fled China, the child refugees were found abandoned in Hong Kong and are being adopted in the UK as part of the World Refugee Project.
"With Christmas preparations in full flow and the midwives busy caring for the expectant mothers of Poplar, these unexpected visitors cause joy and chaos in equal measure."
Also joining the hit BBC series are Fenella Woolgar (Victoria & Abdul) as Sister Hilda, Ella Bruccoleri (The Last Kingdom) as postulant Sister Frances, and Georgie Glen (Waterloo Road) as the surgery's new receptionist Miss Higgins.
New synopsis details for the Christmas episode have also been revealed, as Trixie (Helen George) returns to Poplar to cover for the sisters as they leave for Mother House, with the Order's Mother Superior taken ill.
However, it becomes clear that she is the favourite to take over the role, much to Sister Julienne's (Jenny Agutter) shock.
As for series eight, events will focus around 1964 and the Queen's royal birth, with the addition of two new sisters to Nonnatus House.
Other confirmed cast for series eight include Linda Bassett (Nurse Crane), Judy Parfitt (Sister Monica Joan), Laura Main (Shelagh Turner) and Victoria Yeates (Sister Winifred).
Also coming back are Jennifer Kirby (Valerie), Leonie Elliott (Lucille), Stephen McGann (Dr Turner), Cliff Parisi (Fred), Annabelle Apsion (Violet), Max Macmillan (Timothy), Trevor Cooper (Sgt Woolf) and Daniel Laurie (Reggie).
Filming on the new episodes has just begun, with the Christmas special due to air on BBC One later this year before the eight-episode next series hits screens in early 2019.
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