Miriam Margolyes ‘forced to take a break from Call The Midwife due to Covid travel restrictions’

Miriam Margolyes has reportedly been forced to take a break from Call The Midwife due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

The actress, 79, has played the lovable Sister Mildred since 2018 and has been a key figure at Nonnatus House ever since. 

However, her character will not appear in the upcoming BBC series as she was abroad when filming began and restrictions prevented her from getting back to the UK on time. 

A source told The Daily Star: ‘Miriam was abroad when filming took place and – due to travel restrictions – she was unable to get back to the UK to take part.

‘If she could have been back on set, she would have been there in a heartbeat because she loves the show so much.’

MailOnline have contacted a BBC representative for comment. 

The 10th series of the much-loved east London based series is due to return to screens in April, with cast members including Helen George, Leonie Elliott, Linda Bassett and Jenny Agutter back again.

And while fans will no doubt miss out on Mother Mildred’s presence, they can rest assured that Miriam will be back for series 11, when it returns in 2022.

Filming for the next series will begin later this year, with the insider adding that ‘everyone is looking forward to welcoming Miriam back’. 

Meanwhile, while she’s not set to don her habit quite yet, the Harry Potter actress hasn’t been far from the headlines in recent months.

In January, she once again slammed Prime Minister Boris Johnson‘s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic – after previously claiming she wished he’d died of the virus.

The Labour-supporting actress, who has never minced her words when discussing the politician, admitted she fled the UK in May and doesn’t wish to return home until the case numbers have improved.

Speaking from Tuscany, which is just one of her homes, Miriam also took aim at US President Donald Trump after he was impeached for the second time for inciting the US Capitol protests, claiming he was a ‘dangerous fascist’ who she ‘hopes to see the back of.’ 

Speaking during an impassioned appearance on Good Morning Britain, Miriam was asked whether she’d be getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Harry Potter said that while she was currently isolating at her home in Italy, she’d only return to the UK when it’s safe to get the jab.

She said: ‘Of course one must have a vaccine. Those anti-vaxxers are nuts. They need their heads seen to. 

‘It’s ridiculous. I’m hoping I get a vaccine as soon as possible. I’m 79 so I’m not quite 80 yet – I’ll be 80 in May. I may be able to have it in Italy before I come [back to the UK].’

Miriam then insisted Boris must be held to account for his management of the pandemic, which at the time has claimed over 84,000 lives in the UK.

She said: ‘But I’m not going to England until it’s safe to go. I mean you’ve got that clown in charge there that I didn’t vote for and I’m holding him responsible for a lot of this mess.’