BBC’s “Call the Midwife” Responds as Olly Rix Slams “Disrespectful” Departure

Olly Rix, beloved by fans for his role as Matthew Aylward, Trixie Franklin’s husband, on Call the Midwife, has broken his silence about his exit from the show, publicly stating that he felt he was not “treated with much integrity or respect.” In response, the BBC and the show’s production team have firmly pushed back against his claims.

Olly Rix’s “Disrespectful” Comments:

Rix, who joined the BBC period drama in Series 10 and left during Series 13 (which aired in early 2024, with his character moving to New York after losing his inheritance), recently opened up about his experience in an interview with HELLO! and the Daily Express.

He stated that he found it “hard” to talk about the show, admitting, “I didn’t love talking about it.” He elaborated, saying:

• “With that project in particular, I didn’t like the way it ended and I didn’t think they treated me with much integrity or respect, and I didn’t like that.“
• He added, “I think it’s just best left in the past and not discussed much more,” but clearly felt compelled to speak out.
• Rix also noted that as an actor, it was “the least interesting or exciting role I’d ever done,” contrasting it with his more fulfilling new role as Clinical Lead Flynn Byron in BBC’s Casualty.
• He described the period surrounding his departure as “unpleasant” and felt “very isolated and very alone,” highlighting that “people don’t protect you [or] tend to help” in such industry situations, apart from one’s immediate team.

These comments sparked considerable discussion among fans, many of whom felt Matthew’s character arc had indeed taken an abrupt and negative turn in his final season, leading to his quick exit.

BBC/Call the Midwife’s Official Response:

In response to Olly Rix’s public statements, a spokesperson for Call the Midwife issued a direct rebuttal, stating:

“We don’t accept this. Call the Midwife is a drama that prides itself on providing a supportive, inclusive and nurturing filming environment, and we are known for the family atmosphere on our set.”

The spokesperson further added that Series 15 is currently filming and that the cast and crew are “looking forward to sharing this exciting new series with our beloved audience.”

The Wider Context:

• Character Arc: Matthew Aylward’s character shifted considerably in his final season. After marrying Trixie, his family faced financial ruin, leading him to make desperate business decisions and ultimately present Trixie with an ultimatum to move to New York, leaving her behind in Poplar. This change in character was jarring for some viewers and may have played a role in Rix’s feelings about the ending.
• Other Departures: While Call the Midwife has seen a revolving door of characters over its long run, this public exchange of dissatisfaction from a departing actor, followed by such a direct denial from the production, is relatively rare for the usually harmonious image of the show.

The situation highlights the different perspectives that can arise between actors and production teams, especially when characters are written out of popular, long-running series.

Olly Rix, beloved by fans for his role as Matthew Aylward, Trixie Franklin’s husband, on Call the Midwife, has broken his silence about his exit from the show, publicly stating that he felt he was not “treated with much integrity or respect.” In response, the BBC and the show’s production team have firmly pushed back…