Coronation Street Legend Julie Hesmondhalgh Returns to TV in New Call the Midwife Role

Julie Hesmondhalgh is returning to television in a brand new role, more than a decade after leaving Coronation Street and the character that made her one of the most respected figures in British soap history.

The actress, best known for playing Hayley Cropper, has been announced as part of the cast for the forthcoming Call the Midwife prequel series, Call the Midwife: Sisters in Arms. The new production will explore the origins of Nonnatus House and the people who dedicated their lives to caring for mothers, babies and vulnerable families during the years leading into the Second World War.

For many television viewers, however, Julie will always be remembered for her groundbreaking work on Coronation Street.

When Hayley Cropper first arrived in Weatherfield in 1998, she became the first permanent transgender character in a British soap and one of the first transgender characters to be portrayed in a continuing television drama anywhere in the world. At a time when transgender representation on television was extremely limited, Hayley’s arrival marked an important moment not only for Coronation Street but for British television as a whole.

What followed was a 16 year journey that saw Hayley become one of the programme’s most loved characters.

Rather than being defined solely by her identity, Hayley was written as a fully rounded member of the community. Viewers watched her friendships develop across the cobbles, saw her support those around her through difficult times and followed her enduring relationship with Roy Cropper.

Their romance became one of Coronation Street’s most memorable love stories. Hayley and Roy married by deed poll in 1999 before later legally marrying after changes in the law. Their relationship challenged assumptions and became an important part of television history, helping to introduce many viewers to conversations around gender identity and acceptance.

Hayley’s final storyline remains one of the most talked about departures in soap history. Diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, she made the decision to end her life on her own terms. The emotional episodes attracted huge audiences and widespread discussion, with Julie’s performance earning significant praise from critics and viewers alike.

Since leaving Coronation Street in 2014, Julie has built an impressive career across television, theatre and radio. She has appeared in a wide range of productions including Broadchurch, The Pact, The A Word and Mr Bates vs The Post Office, while also becoming a respected writer, campaigner and public speaker.

Her latest role will see her join the world of Call the Midwife, one of the BBC’s most successful dramas.

The new prequel series, titled Call the Midwife: Sisters in Arms, is set in 1939 and will focus on the early days of Nonnatus House. The story will follow nurses, midwives and nuns working in London’s East End as Britain prepares for war.

Julie will appear as Sister Alice, one of the women helping to run the religious community at the heart of the story. The series will also feature a number of guest stars alongside younger versions of several familiar Call the Midwife characters.

Filming has already begun on the three part Christmas special, which will explore how the outbreak of war affected those working to support local families during a period of enormous uncertainty.

For Coronation Street viewers, the casting announcement provides another reminder of the lasting impact Julie Hesmondhalgh has had on British television.

More than twenty years after Hayley Cropper first walked onto the cobbles, the character remains one of Coronation Street’s most significant creations. Hayley’s story helped open doors for future LGBTQ+ representation across television and demonstrated the power of soap storytelling to reflect changing attitudes in society.

Now, with a major new role in one of the BBC’s biggest dramas, Julie Hesmondhalgh is once again preparing to introduce audiences to a memorable new character.

While she may be stepping into the world of Nonnatus House rather than Weatherfield, her return to a flagship television drama is likely to be welcomed by viewers who have followed her remarkable career from Coronation Street to the present day.

Call the Midwife is available to watch in the UK on  BBC iPlayer⁠, where previous series can be streamed on demand.