Leonie Elliott has left the iconic BBC series Call the Midwife after six years.
The actress, 34, was last seen on the drama in season 12’s second episode, when her character Lucile Robinson returned from Jamacia after being diagnosed with depression.
Viewers have seen Lucile go through a difficult journey on the programme, as she suffered a miscarriage and struggled to conceive.
‘This season was really difficult to film,’ Leonie wrote on her character’s misery at the start of the year.
‘I appreciate all of your warm sentiments.
It’s my goal that if people viewing can find the good in her, they can extend it to individuals in real life. I’m concerned about her.’
According to a source, Lucile’s current plotline will be her final appearance on the hit show.
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Shooting on the most recent season had previously been suspended owing to a medical emergency.
The period drama was renewed for a 12th and 13th season in 2021, with premiere dates planned for 2023 and 2024, respectively.
‘It’s a wonderful honour to be able to reflect back on a decade of Call The Midwife, and yet know that our journey is still very far from done,’ said the show’s creator Heidi Thomas at the time.
‘We are overjoyed to be continuing for a few more years!’ We have a proud past but an even more exciting future, full of old favourites, new faces, higher hemlines, and new ideas, just like Nonnatus House.
‘The tales we tell are like kids; they never stop arriving, we love them all, and we promise to do our best for each and every one of them.’
Trixie Franklin (Helen George), a fan favourite nurse, has stayed fairly steady in Nonnatus House, but she did leave in series 11 to care for her ailing godmother in Italy, which coincided with the actress’s 38th birthday.
Call the Midwife is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.