Call The Midwife has a great ensemble of actors who play even more interesting characters. But one character was not planned to be.

“Wasn’t the biggest part”: Stephen McGann Reveals a Casting Secret About Dr. Turner of &#8216;Call the Midwife&#8217;

When writing shows with multiple seasons, writers often do not know the future
of the characters. Creators just go on with the story and write whatever feels
natural. Many phenomena affect their decision about characters and
relationships. Like huge appraise for Monica and Chandler’s hookup compelled
writers to make them a full-time couple. Similarly, the hit BBC period show Call
the Midwife had a somewhat different fate for a popular doctor.


DOCTOR TURNER FROM CALL THE MIDWIFE WAS NEARLY AXED?

Doctor Patrick Turner (Stephen McGann) is a General Practitioner who works
closely with the midwives and nurses in Poplar’s poorest district.

The fan-favorite was initially introduced to viewers at the conclusion of season
one. Since then, he has continued to be engaged in some of the BBC series’ most
compelling plots. But the actor said in a chat that his character was only meant
to appear in a few episodes.

While speaking
[https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1583463/Call-The-Midwife-Stephen-McGann-Doctor-Turner-axed-season-one]
about how his character and how it wasn’t supposed to be a central one, the
British actor said, “wasn’t the biggest part in the thing and they couldn’t get
certain actors to do it.”

[data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==]

Heidi Thomas, who is Stephen’s wife, writes the show. And it was Heidi’s
decision to cast her husband, who was a University student at that time, for the
doctor’s role.

“There I am in university and I get a call this [one] day from Heidi and I say,
‘Hello darling, are you in town today I thought you were casting? [she said]
‘yes, yes, we’re casting for the doctor,’ actor recalled getting a call from her
wife.

His first reaction was negative as he was a dissertation student at that time
and did not have time to act. But his wife persuaded him by saying its a small
role, which now has been on the show for 11 seasons.

ALSO READ: The Clan Is Gathering at the Longcross Studios as The Witcher Season
3 Prepares to Roll
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-the-clan-is-gathering-at-the-longcross-studios-as-the-witcher-season-3-prepares-to-roll/]

“She said, ‘We’ve got a plan, why don’t you come in and do this little part [and
we] will work around you so you can carry on being a university person,'” was
Heidi’s bargain to get him on the show.


WHERE TO WATCH THE SHOW?

Call the Midwife [https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/call-the-midwife] is currently
running its 11th season, and the show is renewed at least for another. So you
might want to know where you can stream the show.

[data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==]

Well, Netflix is to the rescue. All nine seasons of the show are currently
streaming [https://www.netflix.com/title/70245163] on Netflix. With the 10th one
dropping on March 21st. The 11th season will be streaming on Netflix
[https://netflixjunkie.com/category/news] soon.

What do you think of the showrunner’s decision to save Doctor Turner? Do you
like Stephen McGann [https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/stephen-macgann]‘s character?
Let us know your opinion in the comments below.

Baheen Qadri

Comment

“Wasn’t the biggest part”: Stephen McGann Reveals a Casting Secret About Dr. Turner of &#8216;Call the Midwife&#8217; - Netflix Junkie

Home

Netflix News

Netflix Junkie

https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/nj_bg_transparent-1.png

Baheen Qadri is an entertainment writer at Netflix Junkie. Currently, he is pursuing BA in Mass comm Hons from SCMC Pune. He loves binge-watching films and TV series on Netflix. He is passionate about making films and watches movies from different corners of the world to better understand the field of cinema in his free time. He also loves animes and is currently hooked on the new Demon Slayer season. One of his favorite thrillers on Netflix is Shutter Island. The film always gives him goosebumps. Apart from thrillers, he also loves sitcoms like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The Office. Being a huge movie buff, he is a tough competition on movie trivia nights.

https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-wasnt-the-biggest-part-stephen-mcgann-reveals-a-casting-secret-about-dr-turner-of-call-the-midwife

“Wasn’t the biggest part”: Stephen McGann Reveals a Casting Secret About Dr. Turner of &#8216;Call the Midwife&#8217; - netflix-junkie

'I Will Find You' Season 2: Know the Future of Harlan Coben’s Thriller
Adaptations

Netflix Cancels Duffer Brothers’ 'The Boroughs' After Just One Season

Jakarta Sends Special Invite to Netflix for Film Summit, Aims to Attract
Producers Globally

Will the Knicks Parade Stream on Netflix? Where to Watch the Knicks Parade
Online and on TV?

'The Root of the Game' on Netflix: Everything to Know About the Cast, Plot, and
Release Date

‘The Boroughs’ Ends After One Season as Netflix Pulls the Plug

“Honest and Brave”: Netflix’s ‘Maternal Instincts’ Director Hails Reagan
Hancock’s Fam Opening Up on Taylor Parker

Britt Lower Calls Journalism and Acting "Spiritual Cousins" as She Hypes
Netflix's 'I Will Find You'

Top 10 Suspense Thrillers to Watch on Netflix This June 2026

When writing shows with multiple seasons, writers often do not know the future of the characters. Creators just go on with the story and write whatever feels natural. Many phenomena affect their decision about characters and relationships. Like huge appraise for Monica and Chandler&#8217;s hookup compelled writers to make them a full-time couple. Similarly, the hit BBC period show Call the Midwife had a somewhat different fate for a popular doctor.
<h2>Doctor Turner from Call the Midwife was nearly axed?</h2>
Doctor Patrick Turner (Stephen McGann) is a General Practitioner who works closely with the midwives and nurses in Poplar&#8217;s poorest district.
The fan-favorite was initially introduced to viewers at the conclusion of season one. Since then, he has continued to be engaged in some of the BBC series&#8217; most compelling plots. But the actor said in a chat that his character was only meant to appear in a few episodes.
While <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1583463/Call-The-Midwife-Stephen-McGann-Doctor-Turner-axed-season-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener">speaking</a> about how his character and how it wasn&#8217;t supposed to be a central one, the British actor said, &#8220;wasn&#8217;t the biggest part in the thing and they couldn&#8217;t get certain actors to do it.&#8221;
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-24081 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/call-the-midwife-150418.jpg" alt="" width="1224" height="760" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/call-the-midwife-150418.jpg 1224w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/call-the-midwife-150418-300x186.jpg 300w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/call-the-midwife-150418-1024x636.jpg 1024w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/call-the-midwife-150418-768x477.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1224px) 100vw, 1224px" />
Heidi Thomas, who is Stephen&#8217;s wife, writes the show. And it was Heidi&#8217;s decision to cast her husband, who was a University student at that time, for the doctor&#8217;s role.
&#8220;There I am in university and I get a call this [one] day from Heidi and I say, &#8216;Hello darling, are you in town today I thought you were casting? [she said] &#8216;yes, yes, we&#8217;re casting for the doctor,&#8217; actor recalled getting a call from her wife.
His first reaction was negative as he was a dissertation student at that time and did not have time to act. But his wife persuaded him by saying its a small role, which now has been on the show for 11 seasons.
ALSO READ: <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-the-clan-is-gathering-at-the-longcross-studios-as-the-witcher-season-3-prepares-to-roll/">The Clan Is Gathering at the Longcross Studios as The Witcher Season 3 Prepares to Roll</a>
&#8220;She said, &#8216;We&#8217;ve got a plan, why don&#8217;t you come in and do this little part [and we] will work around you so you can carry on being a university person,'&#8221; was Heidi&#8217;s bargain to get him on the show.
<h2>Where to watch the show?</h2>
<a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/call-the-midwife">Call the Midwife</a> is currently running its 11th season, and the show is renewed at least for another. So you might want to know where you can stream the show.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-24085 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AAAABXrbsR-QtH8dHLQMLy2eUo9Zq5Kwk11b6rzFsIHeK8CcR1VxEjfZBtgIc3JgNx8M-jXFxpLY_40aiJAyul7j_H-3liUy.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AAAABXrbsR-QtH8dHLQMLy2eUo9Zq5Kwk11b6rzFsIHeK8CcR1VxEjfZBtgIc3JgNx8M-jXFxpLY_40aiJAyul7j_H-3liUy.jpg 1280w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AAAABXrbsR-QtH8dHLQMLy2eUo9Zq5Kwk11b6rzFsIHeK8CcR1VxEjfZBtgIc3JgNx8M-jXFxpLY_40aiJAyul7j_H-3liUy-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AAAABXrbsR-QtH8dHLQMLy2eUo9Zq5Kwk11b6rzFsIHeK8CcR1VxEjfZBtgIc3JgNx8M-jXFxpLY_40aiJAyul7j_H-3liUy-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AAAABXrbsR-QtH8dHLQMLy2eUo9Zq5Kwk11b6rzFsIHeK8CcR1VxEjfZBtgIc3JgNx8M-jXFxpLY_40aiJAyul7j_H-3liUy-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" />
Well, Netflix is to the rescue. All nine seasons of the show are currently<a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/70245163" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> streaming</a> on Netflix. With the 10th one dropping on March 21st. The 11th season will be streaming on <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/category/news">Netflix</a> soon.
What do you think of the showrunner&#8217;s decision to save Doctor Turner? Do you like <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/stephen-macgann">Stephen McGann</a>&#8216;s character? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.

The Clan Is Gathering at the Longcross Studios as The Witcher Season 3 Prepares
to Roll

https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/netflixjunkie-logo-2.jpg

https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/335.jpg

“Wasn’t the biggest part”: Stephen McGann Reveals a Casting Secret About Dr. Turner of 'Call the Midwife' - Netflix Junkie

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/93c01c98f8f185f1912fb4241edfdf35?s=96&d=mm&r=g

description

“Wasn’t the biggest part”: Stephen McGann Reveals a Casting Secret About Dr. Turner of &#039;Call the Midwife&#039; - Netflix Junkie

https://www.netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-wasnt-the-biggest-part-stephen-mcgann-reveals-a-casting-secret-about-dr-turner-of-call-the-midwife/

“Wasn’t the biggest part”: Stephen McGann Reveals a Casting Secret About Dr. Turner of ‘Call the Midwife’

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

EDITORS' PICK

The World of NJ

Connect With Us

General

Legal