{"id":2230601,"date":"2026-01-11T18:29:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T18:29:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2230601"},"modified":"2026-01-11T18:29:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T18:29:46","slug":"call-the-midwifes-judy-parfitt-admits-its-been-horrendous-on-occasion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/call-the-midwifes-judy-parfitt-admits-its-been-horrendous-on-occasion\/","title":{"rendered":"Call the Midwife&#8217;s Judy Parfitt admits &#8216;it&#8217;s been horrendous on occasion&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_b50f53\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Call the Midwife&#8217;s Sister Monica Joan has opened up about filming new episode of the BBC drama aged 90<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<div class=\"Byline_author-and-badge-wrapper__2dsv1\">\n<p><span><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35 __className_75e17d\">Angie Quinn<\/strong> Screen Time Reporter <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\">18:07, 11 Jan 2026<\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated 18:08, 11 Jan 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Call the Midwife icon Judy Parfitt has opened up about new scenes at 90 years old as the drama prepares to take a break.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/3am\/celebrity-news\/call-midwife-icon-says-it-36506226\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\">The beloved actress has portrayed Sister Monica Joan<\/a> on the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/bbc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\">BBC<\/a> period drama since its television debut in January 2012. The nun is popular among the residents of Nonnatus House and the wider Poplar community thanks to her quirky personality, love of cake, and empathy for those most in need of her advice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sister Monica Joan has dedicated her life to religious service, but her calling in life was met with outrage from her family. Leading a life as a nun meant she was never accepted among her loved ones, but thankfully, she found peace among the nuns and nurses of<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/call-the-midwife\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\"> Nonnatus House.<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-32154236\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"32154236\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Actress Judy Parfitt has been filming new episodes of Call the Midwife \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Actress Judy Parfitt has been filming new episodes of Call the Midwife <cite aria-label=\"Image: BBC\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: BBC)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The new season of Call the Midwife, commencing on Sunday (January 11), ushers in 1971. The fresh era delves into the effects of the Women&#8217;s Liberation movement, premature births, cancer diagnoses, and various other subjects.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">As the period drama journeys into the 1970s, a 16th series has been confirmed. Additionally, a prequel set in Poplar during World War II, focusing on the early days of Nonnatus House, is in the works.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em>**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **<\/em><\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everythinggossip.com\/\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em><u>Everything Gossip<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em>** website**<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A spin-off film set in 1972 abroad will also be aired, as the regular series of Call the Midwife makes way for the prequel and movie.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Judy has reflected on filming the latest episodes of Call the Midwife after celebrating her 90th birthday in November, and it is challenging, partly due to the circumstances, along with storylines, and partly because of the kind of actress she is.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36450599\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36450599\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36450599.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/2_Judy-Parfitt.jpg\" alt=\"Judy Parfitt \" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36450599.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/2_Judy-Parfitt.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36450599.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/2_Judy-Parfitt.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36450599.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/2_Judy-Parfitt.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Judy Parfitt has been playing Sister Monica Joan since the first epoisode of Call the Midwife  \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Judy Parfitt has been playing Sister Monica Joan since the first epoisode of Call the Midwife  <cite aria-label=\"Image: WireImage\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: WireImage)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I have to be a character and inhabit them,&#8221; Judy told <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/tv\/drama\/call-the-midwife-judy-parfitt-heidi-thomas-interview\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\">the Radio Times.<\/a> &#8220;I can\u2019t act any other way. I can\u2019t sort of be external and watch myself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;In these episodes, I\u2019m playing scenes that there\u2019s no way I can leave behind. It\u2019s been horrendous, on occasion. For an actor, a vivid imagination is wonderful to have \u2013 and hell to live with.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Just also revealed she was taught by nuns and is happy with her character&#8217;s disposition on the show, Judy added: &#8220;I\u2019ve always wanted to play a nun because I was educated by nuns, and I loved Monica Joan\u2019s character.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-35178349\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"35178349\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.69\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article35178349.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_505850.jpg\" alt=\"Judy Parfitt\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article35178349.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_505850.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article35178349.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_505850.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article35178349.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_505850.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Judy Parfitt has played Sister Monica Joan since Call the Midwife launched in 2012 \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Judy Parfitt has played Sister Monica Joan since Call the Midwife launched in 2012 <cite aria-label=\"Image: \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: )<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;The way she was written as quirky and offbeat was a joy; she spoke in a different way from everybody else, which is hell to learn.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Throughout the Call the Midwife festive special, broadcast on <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/christmas\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\">Christmas<\/a> Day and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/boxing\/\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\">Boxing<\/a> Day, some of the storyline shifted from Nonnatus House as catastrophe befell the order&#8217;s Hong Kong outpost.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sister Monica Joan remained in London to assist the skeleton crew in maintaining essential services, with the character anticipated to feature in forthcoming episodes for series 15.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">You can read Judy Parfitt&#8217;s complete interview with the<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/tv\/drama\/call-the-midwife-judy-parfitt-heidi-thomas-interview\/\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\"> Radio Times here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Call the Midwife series 15 starts on Sunday, 11 January at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.mirror.co.uk \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Call the Midwife&#8217;s Sister Monica Joan has opened up about filming new episode of the BBC drama aged 90 Angie Quinn Screen Time Reporter 18:07, 11 Jan 2026Updated 18:08, 11 Jan 2026 Call the Midwife icon Judy Parfitt has opened up about new scenes at 90 years old as the drama prepares to take a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2230602,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25177],"tags":[351326,352429,431525],"class_list":["post-2230601","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrities","tag-bbc1","tag-call-the-midwife","tag-judy-parfitt"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Call-the-Midwifes-Judy-Parfitt-admits-its-been-horrendous-on.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2230601","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2230601"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2230601\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2230603,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2230601\/revisions\/2230603"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2230602"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2230601"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2230601"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2230601"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}