Fans of the beloved BBC period drama Call The Midwife may be surprised to learn about the iconic British soap lineage of one of its stars. Actor Daniel Laurie, who plays the cherished Reggie Jackson, is the son of Leslie Grantham, the legendary EastEnders actor who brought the infamous 'Dirty' Den Watts to life.
A Soap Dynasty Connection
Daniel Laurie first appeared as Reggie Jackson on our screens in 2017. His character's journey saw him move to Poplar to live with his uncle, Fred Buckle, following the death of his mother. Intriguingly, Fred is played by another EastEnders stalwart, Cliff Parisi, known for his role as Minty Peterson.
His father, Leslie Grantham, remains soap royalty for his portrayal of Den Watts, the original landlord of The Queen Vic alongside Anita Dobson's Angie from the show's launch in 1985. Den was famously killed off in 1989, only to make a sensational return to Walford in 2003. Grantham's final exit came in 2005 when the character was murdered by his wife Chrissie, played by Tracy Ann Oberman. The actor passed away in 2018 at the age of 71.
The 2025 Christmas Special and Future Projects
For the 2025 festive season, Call The Midwife is treating viewers to a two-part Christmas Special, airing on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Daniel Laurie is confirmed among the cast for this special event, which promises a dramatic split narrative.
The special, set in 1970, will divide its action between the familiar streets of Poplar and the vibrant, distant metropolis of Hong Kong. A mission to Hong Kong for senior staff leaves the younger midwives to manage alone, creating a compelling dual storyline spanning continents.
The announced cast is extensive, featuring series regulars including Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne, Helen George as Nurse Trixie, and Stephen McGann as Dr. Turner, alongside Daniel Laurie as Reggie.
Beyond the Special: A Film and a Prequel
The future looks bright for the Call The Midwife universe. Following some uncertainty, it was confirmed earlier this year that the story will continue in a feature film, set in 1972 and featuring familiar characters from the series.
Additionally, an upcoming prequel series is in development, which will explore the lives of younger versions of fan-favourite midwives during the Blitz years in the East End. Executive producer Heidi Thomas described the period as "extraordinary" and promised appearances from much younger familiar faces.
Dame Pippa Harris, another executive producer, expressed excitement about taking the nuns and midwives "onto the big screen" and "back in time" with these ambitious new projects, buoyed by the continued support of the show's loyal audience.
