The Evolution of Stephen McGann: From Co-Star Wife to Three Famous Brothers - OK! Magazine

Stephen McGann, best-known for his role as the adored Dr Patrick Turner in the BBC One drama Call the Midwife, has won the hearts of numerous fans since the show debuted in 2012. Now 60, the actor brings to life a heroic doctor who provides care to the residents of Poplar during the 50s and 60s.

Dr Turner is treasured in the East End community, delivering babies, saving lives, and touching viewers with each episode. According to My London, fans were thrilled when his character discovered love with Sheelagh Mannion after being widowed at a young age.

Stephen is also greatly cherished by his co-stars from Nonnatus House off the screen. Let's delve deeper into his life outside of the camera...

Call the Midwife, the show based on the best-selling memoirs of the late Jennifer Worth, showcases the vibrant tales of midwives and families in London's East End during the 50s and swinging 60s. The creator and author of the show, Heidi Thomas, who is 61, is also Stephen's spouse.

Since 1990, the couple has been happily married and they have a son named Dominic. In a conversation with Good Housekeeping in November 2020, Heidi mentioned that Call the Midwife is frequently the primary topic of discussion at their home.

'I reside with Stephen McGann who plays Dr Turner as we have been married for 30 years so he’s the character I know best off-screen,' she disclosed. 'I never give him sneak peeks at scripts or storylines before the rest of the actors see them because I think it's fair on him to not keep secrets. He remains in the dark until he receives the script.'

As per Stephen's book: A History of My Family in Seven Maladies, the pair met when he auditioned for her new play at Liverpool Playhouse. Following two years, they got married at the age of 27 and spent their honeymoon in Tuscany before settling in a cottage in rural Essex.

Stephen made his first television appearance in 1985 in Channel 4's Brookside, prior to the start of his role in Call the Midwife. The following year, he played the character of Tex in the series Help! for two years.

The actor's work in Emmerdale (1999-2002) as Sean Reynolds, in Streetwise (1989-1992) as Bob Street and guest roles in Casualty and The Bill could also be recognised by soap enthusiasts. Additionally, he has acted in films like Catherine the Great (1995) and Where the Buffalo Roam (1994).

Stephen, who is now 60, is not the only one in his family to have achieved fame, as he has three elder brothers who are also actors. Joseph McGann began his acting career as Lord Glozelle in BBC's Prince Caspian in 1989, later carving out a name for himself in the ITV sitcom The Upper Hand.

Most recently he took roles in Vera and Hollyoaks, in addition to appearances in Casualty, Midsomer Murders, My Family, and Doctors. Another of Stephen's older brothers, Paul McGann, is noted for his role as the Eighth Doctor in Doctor Who.

Paul is also recognised for his voice-over work in documentaries such as Secret History and Churchill's Secret. Brother Mark McGann is also an actor, having begun his career at Liverpool's Everyman Theatre Company in the early 80s and later securing key roles in Scully and The Grand.

In addition to being an actor, Mark is a musician, director, and writer as well. He owns a production company and in 2018 made a short film called Perplexed Music. Since 2007, he has been the head of Drama Direct Ltd, a company which creates original content for entertainment and education. Stephen, Joseph, Paul, and Mark also have a sister named Claire.