Actress Helen George has issued a stark warning that feminism and women's rights in Britain are confronting their most severe threat in modern history. The Call the Midwife star pointed to the rise of nationalism and the influence of figures like Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and online personality Andrew Tate as key drivers of this dangerous shift.
A Dystopian Fear for Modern Britain
In a candid new interview, the 41-year-old, famed for playing Nurse Trixie Franklin, expressed her terror at what she sees as a strengthening patriarchy. She drew a direct parallel to the fictional dystopia of The Handmaid's Tale, where women lose all autonomy under a brutal patriarchal regime.
"We're seeing the patriarchy get stronger and stronger, and I find that really terrifying," George stated. She linked this to a visible surge in nationalist sentiment, symbolised by the prominence of St George's flags, which she believes fosters an anti-feminist mood. "What comes with that as well is an anti feminist mood. The Andrew Tate movement," she added.
The actress confessed to a profound sense of foreboding, feeling society is being subtly manipulated. "I feel like we're being hoodwinked into it... I feel like we could turn around in a few years time and it's The Handmaid's Tale," she told her partner.
Abortion Rights and Political Warnings
George, who shares two daughters with her ex-partner and is now dating businessman Dan Innes, voiced specific concerns about reproductive rights. She warned that women's sense of security might be dangerously misplaced.
"I feel like we're not as far away from that as we think we are. We think that we have all this power as women but it's coming for us," she said, highlighting anti-abortion laws. She fears these issues could be debated in Parliament, "especially if Nigel Farage has his way."
She called it "insane" that abortion, legalised in the UK in 1967, is now illegal in some US states, seeing it as a cautionary tale for the UK.
Future of Call the Midwife Amidst Real-World Concerns
George's comments come as filming concludes on the 15th series of the beloved BBC drama Call the Midwife, set to air early next year. The show, which first aired in 2012 and has produced over 100 episodes, faces persistent speculation about its future.
Earlier this year, reports suggested the upcoming series could be the last, with a source claiming the team wanted to "go out on a high." However, creator Heidi Thomas hinted at a potential break rather than a full stop, stating "I don't believe Call the Midwife will ever end." The BBC has firmly reassured fans, confirming plans for two Christmas specials, a new series, a film, a prequel, and a sixteenth series in due course.
Helen George's intervention shifts focus from the fictional nursing drama of Poplar to what she perceives as a very real and present danger to women's hard-won liberties in contemporary Britain.
