Leonie Elliott cast as Call the Midwife’s West Indian character

Leonie Elliott has been cast as ‘Call the Midwife’s first West Indian character.
The period drama’s creator Heidi Thomas promised that she would be introducing Nurse Lucille Anderson to Nonnatus House in series seven and, although at the time she hadn’t found the actress for the role, she’s now settled on the ‘Black Mirror’ star.
The first pictures of Leonie, 29, playing Lucille have now been released on the BBC website and see the brunette beauty wrapped up in her coat, hat and gloves.
Heidi said previously: "We’ll be introducing our first West Indian young regular midwife to Nonnatus House in series seven. She’s going to bring stories with her and a different cultural point of view and that’s very exciting.
"My research is continually bringing up new things. One thing we’re really looking forward to in series seven is my research has made me very aware of the contributions made by West Indian and Caribbean nurses to the NHS in the early 1960s. Elegant, funny and clever, Lucille is swift to settle in and bring a fresh new energy to life at Nonnatus House. Casting is currently underway and we look forward to introducing Lucille to our 10 million fans very soon."
Lucille will also feature in the Christmas special, which will be set during Britain’s coldest winter of December 1962, where up to 20 foot of snow fell and lakes froze.
Heidi explained: "This was the coldest British winter for 300 years, with persistent blizzards, gales and two solid months of vicious icy conditions.
"It was a legendary winter and will provide us with an amazing background for our Christmas visit to Nonnatus House."
Although there will be some new faces gracing screens over the next few months, fans will also have to wave goodbye to some of their favourites as Ben Caplan recently announced he would be stepping down as PC Peter Noakes.
He said: "I’m taking a break to concentrate on other things. Much as I love playing Peter Noakes, it’s great to go off and play some more edgy characters and show a little bit more diversity."