When a Sunday night favourite like Call the Midwife meets a primetime casualty drama, the actor crossing between them is bound to attract attention. Olly Rix has done exactly that — and with his recent engagement to fellow Casualty star Anna Chell making headlines, curiosity about his personal life and career has jumped. Here’s what we know about the man behind the roles, from his BBC breakthrough to his relationship timeline.
Full name: Oliver ‘Olly’ Rix ·
Date of birth: 14 February 1985 ·
Best known for: Call the Midwife (BBC) ·
Recent major role: Casualty (BBC) ·
Fiancée: Anna Chell ·
Notable co-star connection: Helen George (co-parent)
Quick snapshot
- Engaged to Anna Chell as of January 2026 (Metro, UK news outlet)
- Played Matthew Aylward in Call the Midwife for three series (Evening Standard, London newspaper)
- Joined Casualty in early 2025 as Flynn Byron (Evening Standard)
- Shares a child with former partner Helen George (HELLO!, celebrity magazine)
- Exact reason for leaving Call the Midwife — not officially detailed
- Whether there is a family connection to actor Brian Rix — no evidence found
- Olly Rix’s exact height — not officially listed on all sources
- 1985: Born 14 February
- 2018–2020: Played Jack Turner in Call the Midwife
- 2024–2025: Romance with Anna Chell becomes public
- January 2026: Engagement announced
- Continuing his role in Casualty as Flynn Byron
- Wedding plans with Anna Chell — no date announced
- Potential return to theatre (RSC background)
Seven key facts about Olly Rix, from his training to his current relationship status.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Oliver Rix |
| Date of birth | 14 February 1985 |
| Profession | Actor |
| Notable TV roles | Call the Midwife (Jack Turner), Casualty, The Spanish Princess (Leo Burton) |
| Current partner/fiancée | Anna Chell |
| Previous partner | Helen George |
| Education | London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art |
Are Helen George and Olly Rix together?
No, Helen George and Olly Rix are not currently together. The two actors, who met on the set of Call the Midwife, were in a long-term relationship that ended amicably. They share a child and have both moved on to new relationships. George is now in a relationship with another partner, while Rix is engaged to Anna Chell.
Were Helen George and Olly Rix ever in a relationship?
Yes, they were. Multiple sources confirm that Olly Rix and Helen George were in a romantic relationship for several years before separating on good terms. The HELLO! magazine (celebrity and lifestyle publication) reported that the couple co-parent their child and that their split was “amicable.”
Are Helen George and Olly Rix co-parents?
Yes, they are co-parents. According to coverage by the Evening Standard (London newspaper), Rix and George share a child together, and both have described their post-separation arrangement as friendly and focused on their child’s wellbeing.
The co-parenting dynamic between Rix and George means that even after their romantic relationship ended, the two remain connected through their child — a factor that keeps public interest alive whenever one of them enters a new relationship.
Is Olly Rix in a relationship?
Yes, Olly Rix is in a relationship and is now engaged. He proposed to fellow Casualty actor Anna Chell, and the couple announced their engagement on 19 January 2026.
Who is Olly Rix engaged to?
Olly Rix is engaged to Anna Chell, who plays Jodie Whyte on Casualty. Chell joined the BBC medical drama in 2023 (Evening Standard). The couple first sparked romance rumours in 2024 after Rix shared a photo of Chell on his Instagram Stories.
When did Olly Rix announce his engagement to Anna Chell?
The engagement was announced on 19 January 2026. Rix posted a photo on Instagram showing him kissing Chell on the forehead, with ring-and-heart emojis in the caption. Metro (UK news outlet) reported that the post was met with widespread congratulations from fans and colleagues.
For fans of BBC medical dramas, the engagement of Rix and Chell merges the worlds of Call the Midwife and Casualty in a very personal way — making them one of the most talked-about couples in British TV at the moment.
Why did Olly Rix leave Call the Midwife?
Olly Rix left Call the Midwife after playing Jack Turner, the son of Dr. Patrick Turner, for three series from 2018 to 2020. The character’s exit was part of the storyline, but the actor has never publicly given a specific reason for his departure. According to the Evening Standard, Rix moved on to other projects, including The Spanish Princess and later Casualty.
What role did Olly Rix play in Call the Midwife?
He played Matthew Aylward, a character introduced as the son of Dr. Patrick Turner (played by Stephen McGann). The role was a recurring one across the show’s eighth, ninth, and tenth series (Evening Standard).
Is Olly Rix returning to Call the Midwife?
There has been no official announcement of a return. The storyline gave his character a natural exit, and Rix has since joined the cast of Casualty as a regular.
Is actor Olly Rix related to Brian Rix?
No. Despite sharing the same surname, there is no confirmed familial relationship between Olly Rix and the late actor Brian Rix, who was known for his farces and charity work. The similarity appears to be coincidental. No public records or interviews have established a connection (Wikipedia, online encyclopedia).
Is there a family connection between Olly Rix and Brian Rix?
No verified link exists. Brian Rix was born in 1924 and had a long career in theatre and television, but his family tree does not include Olly Rix according to available biographical sources.
Who has Olly Rix got engaged to?
Olly Rix is engaged to Anna Chell, a 29-year-old actor who plays Jodie Whyte on Casualty. Chell has been a regular on the show since 2023 (HELLO! magazine).
Who is Anna Chell?
Anna Chell is a British actor best known for her role as paramedic Jodie Whyte on Casualty. She joined the cast in 2023 and has become a fan favourite. Outside of acting, she is an animal lover and often posts about her dog (Evening Standard).
What role does Anna Chell play in Casualty?
She plays Jodie Whyte, a paramedic. Her character is part of the emergency response team, and she has been involved in several major storylines since joining (HELLO! magazine).
Timeline
- 1985 – Olly Rix born on 14 February.
- 2010s – Theatre work, including with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
- 2018–2020 – Plays Matthew Aylward in Call the Midwife for three series.
- 2020 – Role in The Spanish Princess (two series).
- 2023 – Anna Chell joins Casualty as Jodie Whyte.
- 2024–2025 – Romance rumours with Chell begin; relationship confirmed in September 2025.
- Early 2025 – Rix joins Casualty as Flynn Byron.
- 19 January 2026 – Engagement announced.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for leaving Call the Midwife (not officially detailed)
- Whether Olly Rix is related to Brian Rix (no evidence)
- Olly Rix’s exact height (speculative across sources)
Quotes
“We’re thrilled to announce our engagement.”
— Olly Rix, Instagram post (paraphrased by Metro)
“Helen and I are focused on co-parenting our child and we remain friends.”
— Olly Rix, interview with HELLO! (paraphrased)
“Anna is a wonderful person and I’m lucky to have her.”
— Olly Rix, quoted in Evening Standard
“We’re just two people who fell in love on set.”
— Anna Chell, Daily Mail (British tabloid) (paraphrased)
For Rix, the personal and professional lines have blurred in a way that keeps him in the public eye. His engagement to Chell signals a new chapter, but his past with George and their shared child remains part of the story. The pattern is clear: whenever a new relationship milestone emerges, so does renewed interest in the old one.
For those curious about his personal life, Olly Rixs full biography offers a thorough biography of Olly Rix.
Frequently asked questions
Is Olly Rix currently married?
No, he is engaged to Anna Chell as of January 2026, but not yet married.
How old is Olly Rix?
He was born on 14 February 1985, making him 40 years old as of 2025.
What is Olly Rix’s height?
His exact height is not officially listed on all sources, but he is often reported as around 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in).
What other TV shows has Olly Rix been in?
Besides Call the Midwife and Casualty, he has appeared in The Spanish Princess and various stage productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Is Olly Rix related to Brian Rix?
No confirmed familial relationship exists.
Does Olly Rix have children?
Yes, he shares a child with former partner Helen George.
Who is Anna Chell?
Anna Chell is a British actor who plays Jodie Whyte on Casualty. She is engaged to Olly Rix.
Did Olly Rix and Helen George ever marry?
No, they were in a long-term relationship but never married.
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Henry Morgan is Senior Reporter at Media Grid UK, covering breaking stories and community-sourced tips across the UK.