Stephen McGann, best known for his long-serving role as physician Dr Patrick Turner on Call the Midwife, is actually married to the woman who wrote and co-produced the period drama. Heidi Thomas, who has BAFTA TV and Primetime Emmy award nominations under her belt, has also seen her work premiere on Broadway and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2022 Birthday Honours. Popular period medical drama Call the Midwife premiered on the BBC in January 2012. Chronicling the trials and tribulations of midwives working in the East End of London, the programme, now in its 14th season, features the likes of Helen George and has previously starred comedian Miranda Hart.

Amongst its cast is Stephen, who portrays Poplar doctor Patrick Turner, the husband of Shelagh Mannion, who was formerly Sister Bernadette (played by Laura Main). Having starred in over 100 episodes, the Liverpudlian is somewhat of a stalwart. Over the last fourteen seasons, Stephen’s character has assisted in childbirth and helped the midwives and nurses who tend to suburban Poplar's poorest district. Beloved for his patient bedside manner and kindness, Dr Turner is undoubtedly a fan favourite. However, it hasn’t all been plain sailing. In 1945, Dr Turner suffered from a mental breakdown, forcing him to spend five months in a psychiatric hospital. Years on from his debut, the character is now happily married, raising four children with former nun Shelagh.

Stephen and Heidi, who have been married since 1990, have worked on the show together since it premiered. They also share a son together, Dominic, born in 1996.

Ahead of the 14th season broadcasting on the BBC earlier this year, it was revealed that Stephen and the playwright's only child had finally tied the knot.

“We are now all back filming series 14 after our customary summer break. It was our annual leave for the CTM team in the middle of the long year's filming, to allow us to see family and friends, book a holiday, and generally let our hair down,” the programme’s official Instagram account posted last September.

“For Stephen McGann (Dr Turner), there was no time for a holiday. He and his partner Heidi Thomas (Writer & Executive Producer) had something rather special to take care of ... their son Dominic's wedding!"

"It was a wonderful occasion by all accounts, and our Call the Midwife partied the night away after the ceremony!”

The post also included a picture of Stephen and Dominic posing alongside Max Macmillan, who portrays the former’s on-screen son, Timothy.

“We were amused to receive this particular photograph Stephen sent us from the after-party, because - for those familiar with our previous Call the Midwife posts - it marks a moment that has been 14 long years in the making! It is the moment when Stephen's real son FINALLY met Max Macmillan, the actor who plays his screen son Timothy!,” the account added.

Heidi, whose production of the musical Gigi ran at the Kennedy Center in January 2015, and then on Broadway, closing in June 2015, tends to keep her relationship with Stephen from prying eyes.

However, the actor himself has previously revealed that his wife was once left “fighting for her life” in a terrifying health battle.

Speaking to Saga Magazine in 2023, he said that Heidi was suddenly struck down with a constricted bowel and advanced sepsis.

“The love of my life was nearly taken away and like Scrooge watching Marley’s ghost, I was shown an alternative world,” he recounted to the publication.

“I walked the walk of a potential widower with a young child, and then she came back to me.”

You can stream episodes of Call the Midwife on BBC iPlayer now.