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Episode 2

Episode 2 of 8

An explosion at the docks brings heartache to the people of Poplar, whilst Sister Ursula continues to ruffle feathers with her unpopular decisions.

Sister Ursula continues to reign with an iron fist and the midwives at Nonnatus House struggle to toe the line, especially when she insists they must not be emotionally involved with their patients. This unpopular new edict is immediately put to the test when new father George Marsh is badly burnt in an explosion at the docks and is unable to support his new family, and when expectant mother Penny Reed and her anxious husband Derek are brought to the attention of Nonnatus House.

Penny and Derek both have achondroplasia (colloquially known as dwarfism) and problems with the pregnancy are anticipated, including their baby being stillborn or only living for a short time. As the midwives prepare the Reeds for an infant that may not live, their unconditional devotion to one another and to their unborn child makes a deep impact, especially on Patsy, who is facing one of her toughest decisions yet.

Elsewhere, barmaid Valerie Dyer's quick thinking catches Shelagh's attention when they are first on hand to deal with the casualties at the dock fire. Shelagh is appalled by the general lack of basic health and safety in the docks and strives to make a difference to the men that work there. Dr Turner and Shelagh also share the happy news of Shelagh's pregnancy with their children.

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1 hour

Audio described

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Credits

Role Contributor
Sister Julienne Jenny Agutter
Nurse Phyllis Crane Linda Bassett
Sister Monica Joan Judy Parfitt
Shelagh Turner Laura Main
Sister Winifred Victoria Yeates
Nurse Patsy Mount Emerald Fennell
Valerie Dyer Jennifer Kirby
Nurse Barbara Gilbert Charlotte Ritchie
Tom Hereward Jack Ashton
Dr Patrick Turner Stephen McGann
Fred Buckle Cliff Parisi
Penny Reed Rachel Denning
Derek Reed Dean Whatton
Nurse Delia Busby Kate Lamb
Sister Ursula Harriet Walter
Woman 1 Leanne Everitt
Ada Ward Judy Flynn
Jessie Marsh Erin Doherty
George Marsh Daniel Kendrick
Arthur Pilbury Tom Keller
Docker 1 David Hemsted
Foreman Ray MacAllan
Docker 2 Graham Kent
Docker 3 Joe Stamp
Timothy Turner Max Macmillan
Angela Turner Alice Brown
Nurse Fiona Sheehan
Woman 2 Natalie Lester
Mr Simkins Richard Attlee
Coroner Richard Teverson
Woman 3 Elizabeth Appleby
Student Doctor George Fletcher
Voice of Mature Jennifer Worth Vanessa Redgrave
Executive Producer Pippa Harris
Executive Producer Heidi Thomas
Producer Ann Tricklebank
Director Sheree Folkson
Writer Harriet Warner
Production Company Neal Street Productions

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