As I delve into the heartrending tale of Lucille, a midwife whose life was as tumultuous as the London streets she navigated, I find myself deeply moved by her resilience and unwavering spirit. From the moment she delivered a baby on her second day at Nonnatus House, to her romantic journey with the charming Cyril Robinson, their love story was one for the ages. Yet, their happiness was short-lived as fate had other plans, first with the tragic miscarriage and then the devastating train accident that left Dr. Turner and Sister Julienne in critical condition.
Call the Midwife is a well-known British historical drama series that wrapped up its 13th season in May 2024. This highly praised TV show takes place during the 1950s and 1960s, following the lives of Jenny Lee (Jessica Raine) and her team of female nurses and nuns who aid mothers during labor at a London East End convent. After Lee’s departure in Season 3, the narrative shifts to focus on other midwives such as Jennifer Worth (Vanessa Redgrave), Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter), among others.
After receiving news that “Call the Midwife” has been renewed for two more seasons, discussions about a character named Lucille Anderson, who played a significant role between Seasons 7 and 12, have remained active online. In her most recent storyline, Lucille faced challenging choices after experiencing an unbearable personal loss, which may impact her future on the show. Balancing her personal struggles with her nursing duties, Lucille makes a momentous decision at the end of Season 12 that warrants further exploration.
What Is Call the Midwife About?
Produced by Heidi Thomas, Call the Midwife is a well-liked British television series that first appeared on the BBC in 2012. This ensemble drama focuses on the nurses, nuns, and midwives residing at Nonnatus House, a religious establishment in London’s East End during the 1950s and 1960s, an era of significant medical progress. The story unfolds in an engaging manner, with each season advancing one year on the calendar, starting from 1957 in Season 1 and concluding with 1969 in Season 13.
The show delves into the gap between society’s recognition of medical advancements and its appreciation for unsung female heroes, who frequently sacrifice their own needs for new mothers. This critically acclaimed Netflix series is guided by narrator Jennifer Worth, one of the founders, whose memoirs provide the inspiration for the storyline. Alongside Worth, regular characters include Nurse Shelagh Turner, Dr. Patrick Turner, Sister Monica Joan, Nurse Phyllis Crane, Nurse Trixie Franklin, and Nurse Lucille Anderson.
Who Is Lucille on Call the Midwife?
Beginning in Season 7, Lucille Anderson has emerged as a beloved character on “Call the Midwife”. Hailing from Jamaica, Lucille is revered as the first West Indian nurse at Nonnatus House in London. She stepped in to replace Delia Busby, winning over viewers with her gentle bedside manner, compassionate medical work, and infectious humor. From the outset, there was a concerted effort to care for Lucille. Her arrival in cold, unfamiliar London in 1963 was challenging due to the freezing weather she wasn’t accustomed to in Jamaica. This prolonged train delay for 14 hours generated sympathy for her predicament.
Previously a librarian turned nurse, Lucille demonstrates both intelligence and a broad knowledge base. A series of unfortunate events unfold when Lucille, on her first day at work, falls and hurts her knee. To add to her troubles, Dr. Turner later diagnoses Lucille with a bladder infection. However, in an unexpected turn, Lucille delivers a baby on her second day at work. Unfortunately, the newborn suffers a stroke shortly after birth, which the mother unfairly blames Lucille for. Faced with racial prejudice, the mother insinuates that the baby would have been fine if an English midwife had delivered it instead of Lucille.
Throughout the series, Lucille enters into a romantic relationship with Cyril Robinson, a car mechanic and civil engineering hopeful from Guyana (portrayed by Zephryn Taitte). Eventually, they tie the knot in the 2021 Christmas Special. After enjoying their honeymoon phase, Lucille encounters unfortunate events during Seasons 11 and 12, making her future a topic of greater interest and concern.
What Happened to Lucille on Call the Midwife?
In Season 11, the course of Lucille’s life takes an unexpected turn when she conceives Cyril’s child. This joyful news comes as a silver lining after Cyril is denied his civil engineer license due to racial bias, offering them some optimism amidst such disappointing circumstances. Unfortunately, in the subsequent episode, Lucille experiences a heart-wrenching miscarriage that leaves both her and Cyril devastated.
As we move forward in Season 11, I find myself working through the aftermath of our devastating miscarriage alongside Cyril. With each passing day, we seem to take one step closer towards healing our broken hearts. However, just when it feels like we might be turning a corner, another catastrophe strikes – Dr. Turner and Sister Julienne are critically injured in a horrific train accident. In the wake of this tragedy, Nonnatus House transforms into an impromptu emergency room, with me at the helm of nursing our wounded friends back to health. And so, Season 11 concludes with me finding solace and redemption in caring for Turner and Julienne as they recover, despite having lost my own child.
Despite Lucille’s heroic efforts in Season 11, more tragedy strikes the beloved character in Season 12. Trying to conceive a child on purpose this time, Lucille becomes depressed when she gets her period. The depression increases when she receives photos of her estranged sister Celine’s wedding in Jamaica and becomes extremely homesick. Lucille’s desire to return home escalates when Parliamentary Member Enoch Powell gives his “Rivers of Blood” speech decrying immigration policies in Britain that he claims have led to widespread violence and racial prejudice. Lucille delivers a baby at work, only to be victimized by more racial discrimination by the ungrateful mother. Lucille storms out of work feeling even more depressed.
Considering suicide, Lucille was about to step in front of an oncoming car on the busy street. Since being diagnosed with a nervous breakdown by Dr. Turner, Lucille felt the need for escape. To help her, Cyril borrowed money from their mortgage to buy a plane ticket for Lucille to travel to Jamaica and be with her family. In one of the heart-wrenching scenes of the medical drama series, Cyril took Lucille to the airport on his motorcycle, the same one he had used to pick her up for their first date.
Will Lucille Ever Return?
When Lucille heads back to Jamaica to focus on her well-being, she takes up a nursing position at a homeless shelter for a duration of six months as part of the job requirements. Despite her longing for Cyril, she’s resolute about helping her parents cover their living expenses. Meanwhile, Cyril journeys to Jamaica in an attempt to reconcile with Lucille, but eventually returns to London on his own. Violet offers comfort to Cyril, hinting that Lucille’s absence might ultimately strengthen their marriage. The last time we saw Lucille was in Season 12, Episode 2 of Call the Midwife, causing fans to speculate about her possible return. Although it seems unlikely, we may get some answers when Season 14 begins airing.
Call the Midwife is available to stream on Netflix.
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2024-09-10 00:31