Call the Midwife star Stephen McGann's life with co-star wife and famous brothers

BBC One's beloved period drama, Call the Midwife, has made a triumphant return with fresh episodes for fans to enjoy.

Stephen McGann is back in his role as Doctor Patrick Turner for his fourteenth series on the show, which now takes place in 1970, ushering in a new era for the storyline.

The 61-year-old actor has been portraying the heroic doctor since the show's inception in 2012, captivating audiences with his performances. As a beacon of hope in a poverty-stricken part of London, Dr Turner has saved lives, assisted in childbirth, and consistently warmed viewers' hearts with each episode.

Fans of Call the Midwife will remember the touching moment when Dr. Turner found love with Shelagh Mannion (played by Laura Main) after becoming a widower at a young age. The couple are now happily raising four children.

However, Dr. Turner's journey hasn't been without its challenges. It was revealed that he suffered a mental breakdown in 1945, resulting in a five-month stay in a psychiatric hospital.

As the BBC drama makes its comeback, let's delve into Stephen's life off-screen as he once again brings one of television's most cherished doctors to life for another riveting season of Call the Midwife.

Call the Midwife is based on the best-selling memoirs of the late Jennifer Worth, painting a vivid picture of the heartrending and joyful stories of midwives and families in London's East End.

The BBC period drama was crafted by Heidi Thomas, who has been bringing the poignant and heartwarming stories of the nuns and nurses residing at the east end convent to life since 2012. The 62-year-old writer has skillfully woven the tales of Poplar's most impoverished residents during the early days of the NHS.

However, few may be aware that Heidi and Stephen, who plays Dr. Turner, share a life beyond the cameras. The couple has been blissfully married since 1990 and share a son named Dominic.

In an interview with Good Housekeeping in November 2020, Heidi revealed that Call the Midwife is often the central topic of conversation in their household, yet she refrains from sharing storyline secrets with her husband.

She shared: "I live with Stephen McGann who plays Dr. Turner because we've been married for 30 years and so he's the character I know best off-screen.

"I never show him scripts or storylines before the other actors see them because I don't think it's fair on him to have to keep secrets," Heidi added. "He is completely in the dark until he gets that script."

As per Stephen's book, A History of My Family in Seven Maladies, the couple's love story began when he auditioned for Heidi's new play at Liverpool Playhouse. They tied the knot two years later at the age of 27 and spent a romantic honeymoon in Tuscany before settling into a cozy cottage in rural Essex.

The couple's partnership has endured for over three decades, a testament to their love and commitment to one another, both on and off the screen. In a heartfelt exchange with Saga Magazine in 2023, Stephen shared a harrowing account of his partner Heidi's brush with death, stating: "When Heidi was suddenly struck down with a constricted bowel and advanced sepsis, fighting for her life."

He further expressed the emotional turmoil he went through, adding: "The love of my life was nearly taken away and like Scrooge watching Marley's ghost, I was shown an alternative world. I walked the walk of a potential widower with a young child, and then she came back to me."

Stephen also took the opportunity to extol the virtues of the NHS, which played a crucial role in his family's ordeal, indicating its influence on his show Call the Midwife. He said: "In a spiritual sense, that's when Call the Midwife was born."

In 2023, Heidi was honoured with an OBE by King Charles III at Windsor Castle in recognition of her contribution to drama.

Originating from Liverpool, Stephen is not alone in his acting pursuits; he comes from a family of actors, with three elder brothers who are equally lauded in their craft.

Joseph McGann launched his acting journey portraying Lord Glozelle in the BBC rendition of Prince Caspian in 1989 and subsequently starred as Charlie Burrow in the popular ITV sitcom The Upper Hand.

The 66-year-old has an impressive resume, having appeared in a plethora of beloved TV shows such as: All Creatures Great and Small, Dangerfield, Truckers, Vera, Hollyoaks, Casualty, Midsomer Murders, My Family, Doctors and Celebrity Masterchef, among others. He's also graced the stage with major roles in various theatre productions.

Stephen's older brother, Paul McGann, 65, is equally familiar to TV audiences. The actor is best known for his lead role in Doctor Who: The Eighth Doctor, Doctor Who: Shada, and The Night of the Doctor episode of Dr Who.

His other notable roles include Mark North in Luther, John Gaskell in Holby City, with additional TV credits in Moving On, A Mother's Son, New Tricks, Waking the Dead, and more.

Fans of documentaries will likely recognise Paul's voice, as he's lent his narration skills to numerous programmes including Secret History, Churchill's Secret and Wildest Indochina.

Their sibling, Mark McGann, is also a seasoned actor who kick-started his professional acting career with the Everyman Theatre Company, Liverpool, in the early '80s before securing pivotal TV roles.

In 2021, Mark portrayed Jon Cummins in the true-life series Stephen. His other notable roles include Mad Dog in Scully, John Lennon in John and Yoko: A Love Story, Detective C. J. Brady in Yellowthread Street, Conor Phelan in The Hanging Gale, and Marcus Bannerman in The Grand.

His television credits also feature The Bill, Where the Heart Is, Shackleton and Timewatch.

Mark, 63, is a man of many hats - he's not only an actor but also a musician, director, and writer. He even runs his own production company and released a short film titled Perplexed Music in 2018.

His talents extend to the stage as well, with numerous theatre credits under his belt.

The McGann brothers - Mark, Stephen, Paul, and Joe - all showcased their acting prowess in the 1995 British-Irish TV miniseries The Hanging Gale. They also have a sister named Claire.

Fans can catch Call the Midwife every Sunday at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.