Helen George
Discover the life and career of Helen George (born 19 June 1984) — the English actress known for Call the Midwife, her vocal work, theatre roots, and more.
Introduction
Helen Elizabeth George (born 19 June 1984) is an English actress celebrated primarily for her portrayal of Trixie Franklin / Trixie, Lady Aylward on the long-running BBC drama Call the Midwife.
Versatile across screen and stage, she has also participated in Strictly Come Dancing, contributed to musical theatre albums, and appeared in film and television productions beyond her signature role.
Early Life and Family
Helen George was born in Harborne, Birmingham, England. Neil Thomas, worked as a professor of political science, and her mother, Margareth (or Margaret), worked as a social worker. Elizabeth, who became a veterinarian.
Although born in Birmingham, Helen was raised in Winchester, Hampshire, where she attended school and developed her interests in performance.
From childhood:
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She studied ballet and became a junior associate at the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
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She competed in sports, notably the long jump, showing an athletic side in addition to artistic interests.
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She also harbored early aspirations beyond acting: as a teenager, she once dreamed of becoming the first female manager of the football club Aston Villa.
She attended Edgbaston High School for Girls (1993–1998) during her formative years.
For formal training, Helen studied musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Music in London and also attended the Birmingham School of Acting.
Youth, Training & Entry into Acting
Helen’s ambition toward stage performance crystallized around age 15, when she saw a production of Les Misérables, which influenced her decision to pursue performing arts.
Shortly after her formal training, she gained work as a backing singer: she toured with Elton John, providing backing vocals at venues such as Wembley Arena and the Royal Albert Hall.
Very soon after graduation, she secured stage roles — for example, she got a role in The Woman in White two weeks post-graduation.
These early crossovers — from musical theatre to singing to acting — laid a foundation for her hybrid career blending acting and vocal performance.
Career and Achievements
Call the Midwife (2012–present)
Helen George’s breakout role came in 2012, when she was cast as Nurse Beatrix “Trixie” Franklin in Call the Midwife, a BBC period drama about midwives working in East London in the post-war era.
Her character evolves over the series: from Nurse Trixie to Lady Aylward, reflecting personal, relational, and social developments.
To play the role, Helen had to learn medical practices of the 1950s, including deliveries, midwifery skills, and historical contexts, to bring realism to her performance.
Her work on Call the Midwife has become her signature, appearing in many seasons and making her a familiar face to British and international viewers alike.
Other Screen & Television Work
Prior to and alongside Call the Midwife, Helen appeared in:
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Hollyoaks (2006) as Miss Jones
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Hotel Babylon (2008) — guest role Susie
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Films including The Three Musketeers (2011) in a minor role
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She also appeared in Scar Tissue (2012), The Monster (short film) (2015)
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In 2017, she appeared on Red Dwarf in Season 12, Episode 5 as Aniter
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Nativity Rocks! (2018) — she played Miss Shelly
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She appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, partnered with Aljaž Škorjanec, finishing in sixth place.
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In May 2020, she sang “(There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover” in a BBC broadcast marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
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In 2024, she appeared in The King and I (London production) as Anna Leonowens at the Dominion Theatre.
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In 2025, she is expected to participate in SHARK! Celebrity Infested Waters — a survival/reality show.
Additionally, she was nominated at the Grammy Awards (64th edition) for Best Musical Theater Album, for her contribution to a Cinderella cast recording.
Personal Life
Helen George’s personal life has been publicly interwoven with her professional one, especially through Call the Midwife.
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She was married to Oliver Boot from 2011 to 2015.
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In April 2016, she began a relationship with her Call the Midwife co-star Jack Ashton.
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Her first daughter, Wren Ivy, was born in September 2017. During that pregnancy, she was diagnosed with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), a pregnancy-related liver disorder.
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Her second daughter, Lark, was born in November 2021 (delivered a few weeks early).
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In 2023, Helen and Jack Ashton publicly announced their split after seven years together.
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In 2024 and 2025, reports suggest she is dating Dan Innes, a real estate developer, marking her first public relationship since the split.
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She is a patron of ICP Support, a charity raising awareness about intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
Personality & Talents
Helen George combines dramatic acting with strong musical and vocal ability. Her diverse background gives her versatility:
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Her training in musical theatre enables her to sing, dance, and act, enriching her screen performances with a depth of performative sensitivity.
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Her early work as a backing singer for Elton John demonstrates her comfort and skill in live music environments.
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She is willing to take on physically and emotionally demanding roles (e.g. learning midwifery techniques for Call the Midwife).
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Her participation in Strictly Come Dancing showed her willingness to push outside her established domain and engage in performance challenges.
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She is publicly engaged in advocacy, especially around maternal health issues (e.g. ICP awareness).
Her public image is warm, grounded, and approachable; she often shares aspects of motherhood, challenges, and the behind-the-scenes of her work.
Famous Quotes & Public Remarks
While Helen George is better known for her roles than for aphoristic quotes, some statements and public remarks reflect her mindset:
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On Call the Midwife: she once said she was daunted to work with established actors like Pam Ferris and Jenny Agutter when she joined the show, but she embraced the challenge.
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On female leadership and representation, she commented that Call the Midwife was ahead of its time as a female-led primetime show, especially before movements like #MeToo.
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On her pregnancy and ICP diagnosis, she has spoken publicly to raise awareness, helping others understand a condition many don’t know about.
These remarks underscore her commitment both to her craft and to using her platform for social awareness.
Lessons from Helen George
Helen George’s career offers lessons for aspiring actors, performers, and public figures:
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Cross-training builds strength
Her foundation in musical theatre, ballet, and singing allows her to take on varied roles confidently. -
Embrace challenging roles
Taking on real-world skills (e.g. midwifery techniques) for a role shows dedication and realism. -
Leverage early opportunities
Even working as a backing singer or small parts can lead to bigger things when you build credibility. -
Use public platform for awareness
Her openness about ICP and motherhood deepens her connection with fans and supports public education. -
Adapt and grow with career
She has balanced acting, family life, and evolution of roles, illustrating that a creative life need not be static.
Conclusion
Helen George is more than the face of Call the Midwife — she is a performer with roots in musical theatre and vocal work, who brings depth, empathy, and versatility to her roles. Her journey blends art, public service, motherhood, and evolving personal chapters.