‘Call the Midwife’ season 3, episode 5 preview: Sister Evangelina’s celebration

“Call the Midwife” is a show that clearly does not shy away from sadness from time to time. We’ve seen that in just about every episode of season 3 so far, in particular when it comes to some of the sadder stuff we witnessed last week when it comes to the Alec character. Jenny had the man that she loved stripped away from her, and right as she was starting to figure out just what sort of commitment that she was really ready for.

Today, we’re here to write about something that (at least in theory) could be a little bit more celebration-worthy: What is transpiring when it comes to Sister Evangelina. This is a character who has spent decade after decade delivering children and working with the other midwives, but tonight marks an opportunity to celebrate 50 years working on the job. That is quite the impressive achievement, and one that cannot be ignored!

So in speaking about what it was like for her to shoot some of these scenes in a new interview with What’s On TV, actress Pam Ferris teases that at least at first, her character is hesitant and angry to discover that she is being honored; then, she also discussed what it was like playing this particular part:

“[There’s only so much that can be said about her emotional reaction.] Some of her past comes back, from before she was a nun, and it’s very painful … [In filming these scenes] I realized for the first time what it must be like to be a midwife in one small area for so many years. She delivers the babies of babies she delivered 20 years ago! She shares intimate details of their lives. It’s a privileged position and I found it very touching.”