Why did Judy Parfitt leave Call the Midwife, Sister Monica Joan?
Given that tonight does mark the Call the Midwife season 15 finale on PBS, it is high time to discuss the exit of Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan. Did it have to happen at this point? Why did this beloved member of Nonnatus House have to die?
First and foremost, let’s begin here by recognizing that there are sometimes controversial exits with various characters / actors on TV shows. However, that is not what we are looking at here in the slightest. We are talking instead about what may have just felt like a natural end point to a story, and also a character who has battled some health challenges in the past.
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For those who are not aware, Call the Midwife season 15 serves as the end of an era for the series. It is not necessarily the final season, but it does appear that there will be a substantial break moving into season 16. That means the show is ushering in change, whether it be with its central setting or some of the main characters. Death has long existed in the world of this show, and it likely will continue to be the case.
Speaking to the Radio Times, executive producer Heidi Thomas explained what went into Monica Joan’s passing:
“With the death of Sister Monica Joan, I was very much inspired by the death of her late Majesty the Queen … As early as the Platinum Jubilee, we all knew the Queen was going to pass away but there was still this visceral sense when she died that we had all lost something. My grandmother lived to be 101 and there’s a different kind of shock that comes in, because you think that when somebody lives that long, they won’t ever die.”
Even if Monica Joan is no longer alive, we do have a feeling that she will still have an impact in some form.
Related – When is Call the Midwife season 16 going to premiere over on PBS?
Are you sad about what happened to Sister Monica Joan on the Call the Midwife season 15 finale?
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This article was written by Jessica BunBun.