Yahoo News Call the Midwife is tackling racism in series 7
The BBC's Call the Midwife is promising to tackle racism in the upcoming series 7 when it introduces the show's first black midwife.
Joining a cast that includes Helen George, Jenny Agutter and Linda Bassett, newcomer Leonie Elliott promises to be a landmark addition to the show.
As the first West-Indian midwife to feature as a regular character in the series, the BBC describes Elliott's Lucille Anderson as "elegant, funny and clever", and her story will explore the experiences of Caribbean nurses who came over in the 1960s as the NHS expanded.
Set in the big freeze of 1963-1964, other strands in Call the Midwife series 7 will include Trixie continuing her romance with Christopher, Sister Monica Joan being struck by hard times, and Nurse Crane having her authority questioned.
Sister Winifred actress Victoria Yeates previously spoke about the new series' treatment of race, saying she felt uncomfortable about the show's use of the word "coloured".
"That was really difficult and I did it because it's the period," she said. "But it felt so vile for the actors to say that word."
As the seventh run approaches, Call the Midwife's popularity shows no signs of fading, with the Christmas special having been the most-watched show of the day for the second year running.
As the series enters a bold new chapter of diversity, it is great to see that Call the Midwife isn't afraid to roll up its sleeves and get stuck in.
Series seven of Call the Midwife begins this Sunday (January 21) at 8pm on BBC One.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment and tech news? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Twitter account and you're all set.
You Might Also Like
