Helen George has warned that feminism and women’s rights are facing their biggest-ever threat amid the rise of nationalism and the popularity of figures such as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and controversial influencer Andrew Tate.
The actress, 41, best known for playing Nurse Trixie Franklin in the BBC hit Call the Midwife, said she fears an increasingly anti-feminist mood could pose a risk to women in modern-day Britain.
Speaking in a new interview with The Mirror, Helen suggested that the rise in toxic masculinity could push society in a dangerous direction, likening it to The Handmaid’s Tale.
In the dystopian drama, women are stripped of their rights and forced to live under a patriarchal regime with no bodily autonomy.
Helen said: ‘We’re seeing the patriarchy get stronger and stronger, and I find that really terrifying. I think what comes with nationalism that we’re seeing with the St George’s flags, you know, and I don’t want to get too political, but what comes with that as well is an anti feminist mood. The Andrew Tate movement.
She added: ‘And I feel like we’re being hoodwinked into it and, I say this to my partner all the time, I feel like we could turn around in a few years time and it’s The Handmaid’s Tale. Do you know what I mean?’
Helen George, 41, has warned that feminism and women’s rights are facing their biggest-ever threat in a new interview this week (pictured in August)
The actress’s comments come amid the rise of nationalism and the popularity of figures such as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and controversial influencer Andrew Tate (L-R Nigel and Andrew)
The actress, who is currently dating businessman Dan Innes following her split from former Call the Midwife co-star Jack Ashton in 2023, shares two daughters with her ex.
Helen went on to express concern about abortion rights, warning that women may not be as secure as they believe.
She added: ‘I feel like we’re not as far away from that as we think we are. We think that we have all this power as women but it’s coming for us. The anti abortion laws and things. I feel like they will probably be debated in Parliament, especially if Nigel Farage has his way.’
Helen also claimed that abortions, which were made legal in the UK in 1967, are still an issue even today, adding that it is ‘insane’ how they are now illegal in some states in America.
The interview comes after filming wrapped on Call the Midwife’s 15th series, which is due to air early next year.
The heartwarming show first aired in 2012 and has since put out 14 series, totalling to more than 100 episodes following the nurses and nuns in Poplar.
Earlier this year, The Daily Star claimed the upcoming series could be the show’s last, as bosses wanted the popular drama to ‘go out on a high’.
A source told the publication: ‘After years of drama and countless births, Call The Midwife is coming to an end. The team have decided it’s time to draw the show to a close and bow out.
The actress, best known for playing Nurse Trixie Franklin in the BBC hit Call The Midwife (seen), said she fears an increasingly anti-feminist mood could pose a risk to women in modern-day Britain
Helen said: ‘We’re seeing the patriarchy get stronger and stronger, and I find that really terrifying,’ (pictured 2023)
She continued: ‘I think what comes with nationalism that we’re seeing with the St George’s flags, you know, and I don’t want to get too political, but what comes with that as well is an anti feminist mood. The Andrew Tate movement’
‘This is the last we’ll see of these much-loved characters. Storylines will tie up a lot of loose ends. It’s a bittersweet time for the cast and crew. They’re all sad it’s coming to an end, but they want to make sure the show gets the ending it deserves.’
However, one insider teased that there could be a special return episode one day in the future, saying: ‘The writers are also open to the idea of reviving Call The Midwife for a special one day in the future. It’s a case of never say never.’
Earlier this year, the show’s creator, Heidi Thomas, hinted that the longstanding drama may take a break from production in the future.
She told Radio Times in February: ‘Those of us who are most invested with the show, cast and producers alike, who have been there since the beginning, it is our lives.
‘I don’t believe Call the Midwife will ever end. But I do think we might take a break at some point.’
The screenwriter added that there was an ‘ongoing conversation’ each year where they discuss if there is an ‘end point’ to the show and what they want to ‘work towards’.
‘So if we do take a break, it will be with a view to looking at other aspects of Call the Midwife,’ Heidi explained, before hinting that a spin-off may be on the cards too.
The BBC said of the show’s future: ‘The BBC would like to reassure fans that Call The Midwife will remain at the heart of the BBC for years to come.
‘As previously announced, there are two Christmas specials, a new series, a film and prequel series, before a sixteenth series in due course. Call the Midwife isn’t going anywhere.’
