If you’ve spent any time at all in the East End of London—at least the 1950s version of it—you know Trixie Franklin. She’s the one with the impeccable blonde bob, the sharp wit, and the kind of red lipstick that looks like it could survive a nuclear blast. But who plays Trixie in Call the Midwife?
That would be Helen George.
Honestly, it’s hard to imagine anyone else in those high heels. She has been the heart and soul of Nonnatus House since the very first episode aired back in 2012. While other fan favorites like Jessica Raine (Jenny Lee) or Miranda Hart (Chummy) moved on to other things, Helen George stayed. She became the anchor. But there is a lot more to her story than just delivering babies on screen.
The Woman Behind the Uniform
Helen George wasn't always a midwife. Far from it. Before she was scrubbing up for births in Poplar, she was actually a backing singer for Elton John. Yeah, you read that right. She toured with the Rocketman himself after training at the Royal Academy of Music.
She’s got some serious pipes, which explains why she’s so at home in West End musicals like The King and I or High Society.
Born in Birmingham in 1984, Helen didn’t just stumble into acting. She worked for it. She attended the Birmingham School of Acting and eventually landed the role that would change her life. When she first showed up as Trixie, people sorta pegged her as the "glamour girl." You know the trope—the shallow one who only cares about boys and gin. But Helen George played it with so much nuance that the writers realized they had something special.
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They gave her the heavy stuff. The alcoholism. The PTSD from her father’s war experiences. The heartbreak.
What happened to Trixie and Matthew?
One of the biggest questions fans have right now—especially in 2026—is what the heck is going on with Trixie’s marriage.
If you're caught up, you know she married the wealthy Matthew Aylward (played by Olly Rix). It seemed like the fairy tale ending. Then, the wheels came off. Matthew lost his fortune, got a bit broody, and eventually moved to New York to rebuild his empire.
Trixie stayed behind.
It’s been a weird dynamic lately. Helen George has actually spoken out about this, basically saying that marriages "function in lots of ways." In her mind, Trixie kinda likes the double life. She gets to be "Lady Aylward" with the fancy hats, but she also gets to be the gritty midwife in Poplar who isn't afraid to get her hands dirty.
Is Helen George Leaving Call the Midwife?
This is the rumor that just won't die. Every single year, like clockwork, people start whispering that Helen George is quitting.
It usually happens when she takes a break to do a play or have a baby. In real life, she has two daughters—Wren and Lark—with her former co-star Jack Ashton (who played Reverend Tom Hereward, Trixie's ex-fiancé... talk about a small world).
As of right now, she’s still very much a part of the family.
- Season 15: She’s confirmed.
- The Movie: There is a Call the Midwife feature film in the works for 2026, and Helen is a huge part of that.
- The Prequel: There are talks of a prequel series set in the 1940s, though she likely won't be in that since Trixie would be a child.
Basically, as long as there is a Nonnatus House, Helen George seems happy to keep the lights on. She’s admitted that her hair gets "fried" from the constant bleaching to keep Trixie’s signature look, but she loves the character too much to walk away.
Why the Character Still Matters
There’s a reason why search results for who plays Trixie in Call the Midwife spike every time a new season drops. Trixie Franklin is a survivor.
She represents a very specific kind of woman from that era. She’s progressive. She was pushing for women’s rights and contraceptive access long before it was "cool." Helen George brings a level of empathy to the role that makes you forget she's acting.
Whether she’s dealing with a relapse or helping a mother in a tenement building, she does it with a specific kind of steel.
A few things you might not know about Helen George:
- Strictly Come Dancing: She competed in 2015 and finished in 6th place. She was actually incredible, though some people thought she was "too professional" because of her dance background.
- Dog Lover: She’s obsessed with her Jack Russell, Charlie.
- Historical Buff: She’s become quite the expert on 1960s medical history because of the show.
If you’re looking to follow her career outside of the show, check out her stage work. She recently finished a run in The King and I at the Dominion Theatre, and she’s headed into a production of High Society at the Barbican.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to keep up with Helen and Trixie without getting lost in the rumor mill:
- Watch the Specials: The Christmas specials are usually where the biggest Trixie developments happen. Don't skip them.
- Follow Official Channels: Helen is active on Instagram, but she usually only posts behind-the-scenes stuff when filming is actually happening.
- Check the Credits: Sometimes she pops up in guest roles on shows like D.I. Ray or Red Dwarf (she played an android, which was hilarious).
Trixie isn't just a character anymore; she's a TV institution. And as long as Helen George is willing to keep the blonde bob, we’ll keep watching.
To see more of Helen's range, you should look up her performance of "Shall We Dance" from the West End—it shows a completely different side of the actress we know as Trixie.