Here’s are CTM features and synopses from the recent UK TV magazines. I’ve included a few of the CS features if they also contain Series 12 spoilers, but otherwise did not include CS spoilers as it already aired in both the UK and US.
12x01 (+ 2022 CS)
TV Times (24 December - 6 January)
TV & Satellite (24 December - 6 January)
Radio Times (24 December - 6 January)
What’s on TV (24 December - 6 January)
12x02
TV Times (7-13 January)
TV & Satellite (7-13 January)
What’s on TV (7-13 January)
[The Radio Times (7-13 January) issue was not up at the time of originally posting this, it will be added to the post later]
Leonie Elliott, star of BBC drama Call the Midwife, has thanked fans following their response to her emotional storyline in season 12 episode 2.
Spoilers for 12x02
Radio Times: Call the Midwife's Leonie Elliott thanks fans after Lucille's emotional exit
Elliott reacted to the emotional scenes aired in season 12 episode 2.
By James Hibbs | Published: Monday, 9th January 2023 at 11:18 am
Leonie Elliott, star of BBC drama Call the Midwife, has thanked fans following their response to her emotional storyline in season 12 episode 2, which saw Lucille leave Nonnatus House.
The episode saw Lucille seeking help from Dr Patrick Turner (Stephen McGann) after she had been driven to emotional breaking point. He told her that she was in the midst of a nervous breakdown and that she should rest.
Following this, her husband Cyril (Zephryn Taitte) bought her a plane ticket to Jamaica, where she has gone to visit family for a currently undetermined amount of time.
Taking to Twitter after the episode's emotional scenes had aired, Elliott said: "This season was incredibly difficult to film. Thank you for all your kind words. It's my hope for people watching that if they can see the good in her, maybe they can extend that to people in real life."
She continued: "I care about her deeply. Many share her story of miscarriage and depression, and many share her experience of abuse, racial or otherwise. Many of us face mental health challenges, I hope we can continue to love one another, support and listen to each other. Look after yourselves and each other."
This season has seen Lucille struggle not only with a miscarriage, but also the hostile environment created by the likes of Enoch Powell, as the drama tackled his chilling Rivers of Blood speech.
Elliott has been a part of the show's cast since 2018, when Lucille joined the staff at Nonnatus House in season 7. It has not currently been revealed how long she will be absent from the show, or whether this marks her character's exit for the foreseeable future.
Radio Times: Is Call the Midwife's Lucille leaving for good?
[Mod note: Short answer - they don’t know]
The rest of the article:
This article contains discussion of themes including mental health [mod note: suicidal ideation] that some readers may find upsetting.
All of the Call the Midwife characters have faced challenges across the BBC drama's 11-year run, and in the show's latest chapter, it's Lucille's troubles which are taking centre stage.
As her nearest and noticed have observed, she is far from herself, with her usual chipper demeanour nowhere to be found. Her work, which once fulfilled her, has since become a burden she is unable to manage.
"She is going further and further downhill," says Nurse Crane to Mrs Wallace.
And when she's not on duty, she spends her time curled up in bed, the curtains drawn, unable to see through the fog that has settled over every aspect of her life.
Between Lucille and Cyril's inability to fall pregnant, her longing to see her family in Jamaica and the hostile environment created by the likes of Enoch Powell, Lucille is driven to breaking point. She takes herself for a walk and for a moment, she stands on the edge of the pavement, gazing mournfully into the oncoming traffic as she considers hurling herself into the road.
It's a harrowing moment, which prompts her to seek help from Dr Patrick Turner. He weighs up her symptoms and informs her that she's in the midst of a nervous breakdown, the best treatment for which is rest – and that's exactly what she plans to do.
But Lucille won't be taking it easy in Poplar. She's heading to Jamaica, thanks to Cyril, who dipped into their savings to purchase a plane ticket. Her eyes light up as he tells her the news, a rare smile descending across her face as she gently caresses her husband's cheek in gratitude.
But naturally, there will be some viewers who are left wondering: will Lucille return to London?
There's every chance that she'll be back in a fews weeks' or months' time with a renewed outlook on life. A change of scenery is exactly what the doctor ordered and while the road to recovery will take time, Lucille is heading in the right direction. But there's also a possibility that she'll choose to stay, unwilling to say goodbye to her sister and the rest of her loved ones again.
She has made the English capital her home, establishing herself as a core member of the Nonnatus House team and gaining a second family who love and value her. England is also where Cyril sees his future and their relationship, even under strain, is one of the most touching elements of the show.
But her heart remains in the Caribbean and the pain Lucille feels from being apart from her sister, in particular, is proving too much to bear, casting doubt on her future.
For information and support, please visit the NHS website and/or Mind.
