As the latest season of Call the Midwife continues, fans have noticed the absence of a beloved character. Leonie Elliott, best known for playing nurse Lucille Robinson in the long-running BBC period drama, has been missing from the recent episodes, sparking curiosity among viewers.
Leonie joined the series in its seventh season, which aired in 2018, and remained a key part of the cast until her departure in season twelve last year. Her character, Lucille, left Poplar following a particularly challenging period in her life. Struggling with her mental health, she decided to return to Jamaica, leaving behind her husband, Cyril Robinson, played by Zephryn Taitte, and her role at Nonnatus House.
Lucille’s departure was rooted in significant personal hardship. She suffered a miscarriage, which had a profound emotional impact on her. In addition to her personal grief, she also faced hostility within the community amid rising tensions over migration in the UK. This combination of factors led to her decision to leave, and while she has been mentioned occasionally in the show, she has not appeared on-screen since. It is suggested that she has started a new job in the Caribbean.
Ahead of her on-screen departure, Leonie Elliott took to social media in January last year to share a heartfelt message with fans. She reflected on filming her final episodes, describing the process as an emotionally difficult experience.
“This season was incredibly difficult to film,” she wrote. “Thank you for all your kind words. It’s my hope that if viewers can see the good in Lucille, they might extend that same kindness to people in real life.”
She went on to express how deeply she cared for the character, acknowledging that Lucille’s struggles, including miscarriage, depression, and racial abuse, resonated with many.
“Many of us face mental health challenges,” she added. “I hope we can continue to love one another, support and listen to each other. Look after yourselves and each other.”
In the same message, Leonie expressed her gratitude for being part of Call the Midwife, stating that she had spent six years working on a “truly wonderful show” alongside a “fantastic team.” She also highlighted the significance of playing a character who represented the pioneering Windrush generation and their contributions to British society.
“I feel honoured to have represented the pioneering Windrush generation and their incredible impact on British society,” she wrote.
Leonie also extended her thanks to the show’s creative team, including writer Heidi Thomas and producers Pippa Harris and Annie Tricklebank, for their support. She concluded her message with excitement for future projects, though she did not confirm whether she would ever return to the series.
However, the possibility of her comeback was later addressed in an interview towards the end of last year. Speaking on Hello! magazine’s A Right Royal Podcast in December, she hinted at the potential for a return but did not provide any definitive answers. Fans remain hopeful that Lucille Robinson might one day return to Nonnatus House, but for now, Leonie Elliott appears to be focused on new ventures in her career.
