BBC’s Call The Midwife has showcased numerous poignant character fatalities; some were intentional, while others were essential to facilitate the actors’ swift departure from the series for personal reasons.
Among the deceased nurses in Call The Midwife, BBC viewers were deeply affected by the demise of Nurse Barbara Hereward (née Gilbert), portrayed by Charlotte Ritchie.
Who Was Nurse Barbara in Call the Midwife?
At the beginning of Season 4, Barbara arrives to succeed Cynthia Miller, a resident of Nonnatus House who has completed her initial six months as a postulant and seeks to pursue her final vows to become a fully devoted nun.
During her tenure on Call The Midwife, Barbara demonstrates her capability as a deserving successor to Cynthia. In one episode, she substitutes for an inebriated nurse, Trixie, to assist in a childbirth on short notice, while in another episode, she aids a heavily pregnant non-English speaker in delivering her baby, utilizing the woman’s son as a translator.
In Season 5, Barbara commences a romantic relationship with Tom, the former fiancé of her coworker, Trixie. This disclosure engenders tension between the two nurses. After a period of reflection, Trixie ultimately relinquishes her sorrow and grants her approval to the arrangement.
In the Season 5 conclusion, Barbara assists Sister Evangelina in delivering a baby; but, shortly thereafter, Sister Evangelina succumbs to a second stroke, leaving everybody who knew her, including Barbara, devastated. She is subsequently consoled by another nurse, Phyllis Crane, with whom she develops a strong friendship.
In the 2016 Christmas special episode, Barbara and Tom become engaged. In Season 7, they return from a brief vacation in Birmingham, and Barbara resumes her role as a midwife at Nonnatus House.
What Caused Barbara’s Meningitis in Call the Midwife?
In the sixth season of Call the Midwife, Barbara Gilbert suffers meningitis. She falls ill while attending to a patient named Mrs. Madsen, a young woman whose child suffers from a severe illness.
Notwithstanding her measures, Barbara ultimately exhibits indications of the sickness, such as elevated fever and fatigue. Her illness deteriorates, resulting in her hospitalization.
Barbara’s meningitis case is especially devastating due to the emotional impact it has on her and her coworkers at Nonnatus House. It also underscores the susceptibility of healthcare personnel during a period when infections such as meningitis were more challenging to manage due to constrained medical resources.
The narrative was poignant for audiences, as Barbara’s affliction highlighted the personal sacrifices involved in caregiving.
Upon Barbara’s reemergence in Season 7, everything appears to be in order. Subsequently, Barbara begins to exhibit signs of a typical cold, however she attributes them to the adverse consequences of stress.
Subsequently, following a thorough investigation, it is revealed that Barbara is suffering from blood poisoning due to meningitis. Subsequently, Barbara is hospitalized and has many days of recuperation.
Regrettably, as time progresses, she exhibits minimal potential for overcoming the illness. Ultimately, after a protracted and arduous struggle, Barbara succumbs with Tom and Phyllis by her side.
In the final episode of Season 7, Barbara is interred by her grieving colleagues. Phyllis assists in the delivery of a young girl’s baby, calling her Barbara in tribute to her late friend, and subsequently presents Barbara’s cardigan to Trixie during the 2018 Christmas special.
Upon the broadcast of her death on BBC, Ritchie viewed her last scenes in the presence of her family. Regarding Barbara’s exit from Call The Midwife, Ritchie conveyed her remorse for departing both the series and the character. Express said that Ritchie anticipated a cathartic response from BBC viewers, who were equally inconsolable.
She expressed the poignant sentiment of permanently departing from the series, stating, “It was not merely the narrative – it was disheartening to realize I had definitively left the show.” I long for Call the Midwife and for the experience of being Barbara at the table with Trixie.
The death of Nurse Barbara Hereward in Call the Midwife constituted one of the series’ most poignant scenes. The heroine, depicted by Charlotte Ritchie, resonated with audiences by her commitment, empathy, and unforeseen romantic narrative. From her arrival at Nonnatus House to her poignant demise, Barbara’s journey profoundly connected with audiences.
Desire to gain further insight into her character’s influence on the series and the behind-the-scenes circumstances surrounding her departure? Visit our website for an in-depth examination of Nurse Barbara’s narrative, her poignant farewell, and the impact of her passing on the trajectory of Call the Midwife.
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