The beloved BBC period drama Call the Midwife has seen numerous characters come and go from Nonnatus House over its long run, but few departures resonated as deeply with viewers as that of Sister Frances. Portrayed by actress Ella Bruccoleri, the enthusiastic nun became a fan favourite during her tenure from 2018 to 2022.
The On-Screen Exit of Sister Frances
In the show's narrative, Sister Frances's departure was precipitated by a dramatic incident during a festive special. The character found herself assisting a mother giving birth in a garment factory within a rundown area of London's East End. When complications arose, Frances leapt onto her bicycle to fetch urgent medical help.
Battling treacherous winter weather conditions, the nun suffered a fall during her frantic ride. This accident resulted in a fractured arm, though she heroically persevered to secure assistance for the labouring woman. Following hospital treatment for her injury, Sister Frances made the difficult decision to return to the Mother House to properly rest and recuperate, thus concluding her time in Poplar.
Ella Bruccoleri's Career Beyond Nonnatus House
While Sister Frances left due to narrative circumstances, actress Ella Bruccoleri moved on to pursue diverse acting opportunities. Prior to her breakthrough role in Call the Midwife, Bruccoleri had appeared in notable productions including the US series Genius and the UK historical drama The Last Kingdom.
Following her departure from the BBC series, her career has flourished with roles across various acclaimed programmes. She has featured in All Creatures Great and Small, Back to Life, Extraordinary, Alice & Jack, and The Chelsea Detective. More recently, Bruccoleri starred in the 2024 dark comedy-thriller Passenger as a trainee officer, and appeared in both Bookish and the chilling Apple series Down Cemetery Road alongside Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson.
Her upcoming projects demonstrate a continued affinity for period drama, with roles in the Netflix miniseries Agatha Christie's Seven Dials and the Jane Austen adaptation The Other Bennet Sister. This career trajectory illustrates how Bruccoleri has successfully transitioned from her defining role as Sister Frances to a varied and promising slate of performances.
The departure of Sister Frances marked a significant moment for Call the Midwife enthusiasts, who had grown fond of the character's development over four series. Meanwhile, Ella Bruccoleri's subsequent career moves highlight the typical progression for actors leaving long-running television dramas to explore new creative challenges and roles.
