Call the Midwife: What happened to Trixie's husband Matthew and if Casualty actor Olly Rix will be coming back as him
Trixie and Matthew have had a rocky marriage...
Call the Midwife is back with series 15, reuniting us with our Nonnatus House favourites once again. And there is more good news for fans, because Trixie Aylward is back where she belongs in Poplar after splitting her time between London and New York, with her husband, over the last few series.
The end of series 14 saw Trixie heading back to America to be with Matthew. But thankfully, she was back for the 2025 Christmas specials and she is here to stay.
Series 15 sees Trixie regularly mention her husband, who is still across the other side of the Atlantic. But her heart will always belong in Poplar.
However, what happened to Trixie’s husband? Here is everything you need to know about what has happened to Matthew, if the couple are still married, and what is next for the couple…
What happened to Trixie’s husband, Matthew Aylward?
Trixie looked like she was finally getting her happy ever after in series 12 of Call the Midwife when she married Matthew Aylward. Not only did she have a new life with her husband and his baby son, Jonty, but she also slotted into the prestigious role of Lady Aylward with perfection.
However, there was drama to come for the couple when financial trouble hit. Matthew had inherited the family business, Aylward Estates, from his late father, only to discover it was in serious debt. Matthew soon lost his income from the company as well as his place on the board.
After initially hiding his money worries from Trixie, he revealed the truth in series 13. The couple vowed to work through their troubles together. However, they seemed to have different ideas about how to make things better, and their marriage hit the rocks.
Determined to turn things around, Matthew headed to New York to remake his fortune and tried to convince Trixie to go with him and Jonty. However, this would have meant Trixie leaving Poplar and her life as a midwife behind. Trixie turned Matthew down and he left for America without her.
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How did Trixie meet Matthew?
In the second episode of series 15, Trixie visits the Lady Emily Clinic for Women and Babies. Fans will remember that this is where Trixie and Matthew met in series 10.
Trixie was working at the private facility in Mayfair when Matthew came in with his then-wife, Fiona. Trixie helped deliver Matthew and Fiona’s baby, Jonty. However, Fiona was diagnosed with cancer shortly after the delivery and sadly died.
Trixie helped Matthew cope with life as a widower and new father, finding him a nanny and supporting him through his grief. The pair grew closer over time, and eventually they became a couple.
In the latest series, Trixie visits the private clinic to see her former boss, Mr Herbert Scarisbrick, who chats with her about Matthew.
She notes that although meeting Matthew at the Lady Emily was surrounded by sadness over Fiona’s death, something good came out of it eventually. Hinting that in the series, Trixie is still happily married, despite the miles between her and her husband.
Is Trixie’s husband coming back to Call the Midwife?
Matthew’s return to the show seems unlikely at the moment, even though the door remains open for him.
Despite Trixie mentioning her husband from time to time on the show, actor Olly Rix has now joined the cast of Casualty as ED Clinical Lead Flynn Byron, and looks to be too busy saving fictional lives in the ED to return to Poplar.
Hints suggest that Olly’s departure from the series wasn’t entirely smooth sailing, making it doubtful that the actor will return to the show any time soon.
Why did Olly Rix leave Call the Midwife?
Olly’s departure from the show sparked speculation, particularly about a rumoured romance with his on-screen wife, Helen George, who plays Trixie.
Although the pair never confirmed their relationship or addressed the media speculation surrounding its conclusion, many believe it may have contributed to Olly’s exit from the show.
He told Hello: “It’s hard for me to talk about that show. I don’t love talking about it. I’m very fortunate. Most jobs, I think of very fondly, but you do, of course, leave them in the past and move on and develop new work.
“With that project in particular, I didn’t like the way it ended. I didn’t think they treated me with much integrity or respect, and I didn’t like that. I think it’s just best left in the past and not discussed much more.”
A Call the Midwife spokesperson said in a statement to the publication at the time: “We don’t accept this. Call the Midwife is a drama that prides itself on providing a supportive, inclusive and nurturing filming environment. We are known for the family atmosphere on our set.”
Are Trixie and Matthew still married?
Yes, the couple remain married. However, they have a long-distance relationship, with Trixie going to the US to visit him sporadically. While Matthew is in America, Trixie is working in London, with her storyline moving forward without him.
Trixie and Matthew’s marriage hangs in the balance, and it is uncertain whether they will stay together or if their relationship will end like Cyril and Lucille’s did when she moved back to Jamaica.
Is Trixie leaving Call the Midwife?
There was panic among fans that Helen George, who plays the fan favourite character, could be leaving the show. While there is still a chance that Trixie could relocate to America to be with Matthew, it is unlikely.
Helen will appear throughout series 15 of the show, and then we have a Call the Midwife film to look forward to.
The movie will pick up where series 15 ends, but will see our Nonnatus House favourites heading to Australia.
Series creator, Heidi Thomas, said: “The film is already in preproduction and will be set in 1972 and star the current cast. Series 16 will then take place in 1973.”
Producers haven’t officially confirmed cast for the film or series 16, but Helen will likely appear as Trixie in both.
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