Is Charlotte Ritchie’s future on Call the Midwife really in doubt?
It’s odd that (in some ways), this is the second time over the past two months that we’ve wondered this. We had the same thoughts following the Christmas special. The difference this time around is that when we last had speculation, it was due mostly to Barbara moving to Birmingham temporarily in order to join Tom on his new assignment.
Now, the character’s future is in great doubt after a significant health scare. She’s taken on too much and it’s not altogether clear if she’s going to make it out of the hospital. When Dr. Turner picked her up at the end of tonight’s episode, he made it clear that the ailment impacting her was very serious.
Will Barbara be able to make it through? If she does not, it would be the most stunning death in the history of Call the Midwife and it could challenge all of these characters in ways that they have not been challenged to date. There is some excitement that comes along with that. Take, for example, whether or not Tom would have a significant crisis of faith following the death of his wife.
However, we cannot say that we want something like this to happen. Nothing is worth losing Ritchie, (who has been a tremendous source of joy and enthusiasm) from the show. There’s just been so much turnover across the main midwives on the series — we’ve already lost Jessica Raine, Emerald Fennell, and Miranda Hart. There are characters that are still alive, but they are no longer at Nonnatus. The thought of losing another, especially in such a permanent way, is too much.
Related – Want to get our full review for tonight’s Call the Midwife?
Answers will hopefully come in regards to Barbara’s future on Call the Midwife before we make it to the end of the season. Be sure to stay tuned for more of the latest updates!
What do you think is going to happen to Barbara on Call the Midwife season 7? Be sure to share now in the comments!
Meanwhile, be sure to also like CarterMatt on Facebook in the event you want to get some other insight when it comes to the series. (Photo: BBC.)