BBC Call the Midwife responds as Olly Rix slams 'disrespectful' departure

Wales Online

2 days ago

BBC Call the Midwife responds as Olly Rix slams 'disrespectful' departure
Call the Midwife star Olly Rix previously said he didn't like the way he was treated by bosses after his character was axed from the BBC drama.
Since its debut in 2012, the BBC period drama Call the Midwife has seen a revolving door of characters, with Matthew Aylward (played by Olly Rix) emerging as a fan favourite in season 10.
His character won hearts, particularly when he began a romance with Trixie (Helen George), culminating in their marriage at the end of season 12.
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Yet, viewers were left reeling last year when Matthew issued an ultimatum to his new wife to join him in New York following the loss of his inheritance.
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Following Olly's surprising exit from the show, he was seen joining the cast of another BBC stalwart, Casualty, reports the Express.
Olly Rix was a fan-favourite on the BBC show
(Image: BBC / Neal Street Productions )
At the time he left Call the Midwife, there were reports that the cast were "stunned and upset" by the decision to axe his character.
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Olly has since opened up about his feelings regarding his departure, admitting to Hello! magazine that he was dissatisfied with how it was handled.
He said: "I'm very fortunate. Most jobs, I think of very fondly, but you do, of course, leave them in the past and move on and develop new work.
"With that project in particular, I didn't like the way it ended and I didn't think they treated me with much integrity or respect, and I didn't like that. I think it's just best left in the past and not discussed much more."
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Nevertheless, a spokesperson for Call the Midwife has dismissed any suggestions of mistreatment in relation to Olly's release from the show.
Olly left Poplar to start a new life in New York
(Image: BBC )
The spokesperson told Metro: "We don't accept this. Call the Midwife is a drama that prides itself on providing a supportive, inclusive and nurturing filming environment, and we are known for the family atmosphere on our set.
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"Series 15 is currently filming, and we look forward to sharing this exciting new series with our beloved audience."
Wales Online has reached out to the BBC for comment
The actor has now joined the cast of casualty
(Image: BBC )
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RadioTimes has suggested that although Olly has departed from Call the Midwife, it doesn't rule out the possibility of his character making a return in future episodes.
Meanwhile, the 40-year-old actor has swapped roles, now portraying Flynn Byron in Casualty, a character who seems set to stay for an extended period.
Discussing his transition to Casualty, he shared with Hello!: "We've been filming for a year, and you've only had ten episodes. We have 40-something in the bank now. So, Flynn's not going anywhere."
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Viewers can catch up on both Call the Midwife and Casualty on BBC iPlayer.