Hark the Poplar angels sing!
From lunchtime carols to Michael Bublé, boozy cakes and EastEnders – Renee Bailey, Helen George and Natalie Quarry share their seasonal secrets
Photography: Nicky Johnston @nickyjohnston. Photography assistant: Max Brewer
- Gareth McLean
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Helen George plays Trixie Aylward
Helen George as Trixie Aylward and Renee Bailey as Joyce Highland. BBC
How is Trixie this festive season?
Even though there’s a huge distance between Trixie and her husband, things feel more stable than they possibly ever have. For once, she feels settled, strong even, and in a space, psychologically and literally, where she feels at home. But you do wonder how Trixie would react if her whole world were to change, if Nonnatus House faced a fresh threat to its very existence.
Trixie deserves stability after all the tumult but, as an actor, do you wonder where the drama is going to come from if she’s content?
It’s quite a relief, actually. I’ve spent so much time enduring, going through things and being desperately heartbroken all the time, it’s really fun that now she’s fighting other people’s battles and not her own.
Given this is the 14th Yuletide edition of Call the Midwife, there must be a great feeling of camaraderie!
It’s a family and I absolutely adore them all. It’s Judy Parfitt’s (Sister Monica Joan) birthday today; it’s lovely that she’s here so we’re celebrating together and have filled her trailer with balloons and flowers. I had a Halloween party – I went as a banshee and my daughters [she has two, aged eight and four, whom she shares with her ex-partner Jack Ashton] were clowns so were terrifying – and Hilda, a focus puller on the crew, came with her husband and her son, and Victoria Yeates who played Sister Winifred came along, too. It’s just so nice to be in each other’s lives, and for so long.
If you go big on Halloween, I’m assuming that you absolutely love Christmas?
It’s like a festive bomb goes off in my home! I just moved and the reason we chose this house was that it’s just the perfect place for Christmas Day – it’s really obvious where the tree will go. I’ve always loved this time of year. All the family would go to my aunt’s house – she also had this brilliant house – and we’d all wear festive jumpers and play games. I have such fond memories of it and I really want to re-create them for my kids.
So when do things get underway in the George household?
When I start making the cake – I’ve had my fruit soaking since Bonfire Night so that it’s really boozy.
What do the holidays mean to you?
Family. And charades. And cheese!
Do you stay traditional with Stilton?
I have all of them. But with my cake, I like to have a slice of wensleydale.
You’re also in panto this year, playing the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella opposite Basil Brush at London’s Richmond Theatre. Is that fun?
It’s two shows a day for four weeks. I’ve got a show on Christmas Eve, off Christmas Day, back in on Boxing Day – and there’s only a week’s rehearsal. I’m taking my kids to Lapland afterwards to make up for the fact that I’m going to miss their school shows because I’ll be in one of my own!
Natalie Quarry plays Rosalind Clifford
Natalie Quarry plays Rosalind Clifford Neal Street Productions
Rosalind is surely one of the most decent characters on television?
Rosalind has such a capacity for love and wants everyone to live with an open heart. It’s admirable. You wonder what her (ulterior) motives are but she doesn’t have any.
Her blossoming relationship with Cyril has been a gentle joy. How has it been to play?
Because of who they are and the circumstances that they are in, they couldn’t have rushed into it. That edging towards being together because they felt so strongly about each other – slowly getting to the point when they held hands, finally kissing at Nancy’s wedding – has been an absolute joy.
It’s not all been moonlight and roses, though?
Last season, when they were on a date, some people shouted at them [because they’re an interracial couple] and I imagine that they have to battle some pretty difficult situations. That they do it together is, to me, the important part.
When do you start your preparations for Christmas at home?
I’m a Christmassy person and in my head, as soon as it’s been Halloween, it’s totally fair to start thinking about it. Because I think that the anticipation is actually better than the day itself. You can be like “Maybe I’ll listen to a bit of Michael Bublé…”
Have you listened to any Michael Bublé yet?
No not yet! I used to work in retail, as many actors do, and their Christmas starts horrifically early. By December, you’re like “I cannot listen to this playlist again”.
What do your celebrations look like?
They have changed lately because I have a long-term partner now. I used to do every year with my lovely family but now we do one year at mine and then one year at his. It’s been interesting experiencing another family’s Christmas. My family are really music people, so we sing some carols after lunch. His family don’t. No singing of any carols at all.
Renee Bailey plays Joyce Highland
Renee Bailey as Joyce Highland. BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney
When did you start to learn about your character Joyce?
It was March, three years ago when I got the audition. I’d never seen the show so I watched a couple of episodes to get the vibe and my agent, who’s a fan, gave me some notes about it – and then I started to find out about the character. But because the accent was Trinidadian and I was no good at that, I was like, “There’s no way I’ll get this job”. But I got a recall, read more about her and got really invested like I promised myself I wouldn’t. Then, in Tesco one day, just by the salad bar, I got the call. I was so excited!
Would you describe Joyce as a woman of principle?
I think Joyce will always do what she believes is right, regardless of how hard it is. Sometimes she might come across as a bit harsh but she always acts from a place of love.
Is she based on anyone you know?
There are so many elements inspired by my mum, my aunt and older Caribbean women I know and have grown up around, that’s how they operate. They’re not afraid to tell it to you like it is.
What do the festivities mean to you?
I have become a bit jaded about it all! Now, as an adult, it’s just about waking up and thinking, “Shall we have a drink?” Luckily, I have three nieces and two nephews ranging in ages from two to 14 so for me, it’s about the kids and the excitement they get out of it. Once they all get older, it will lose its sparkle again and become about how much can I eat.
Do you have any traditions?
Every year, we go to my aunt’s in the evening on Christmas Day. I see all my cousins, they have loads of their friends around, and it’s not quite a party but it’s got that energy – some people are playing games, some guys are in the corner playing poker, others are watching EastEnders on the telly, there are kids running around, and conversations happening…
After EastEnders, does the TV contingent stayed tuned for Call The Midwife?
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Yeah, they do. And I’ll watch it to see the bits I’ve not been a part of.
Authors
Gareth McLean
Gareth McLean has been writing about television for nearly 30 years. As a critic, he's reviewed thousands of programmes. As a feature writer, he's interviewed hundreds of people, from Liza Minnelli to Jimmy Savile. He has also written for TV.
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