Helen George, star of Call the Midwife, has revealed that she is beginning treatment for a health condition that has changed her life, impacting both her career and her role as a mother.
The actress opened up for the first time on the podcast I’m ADHD! No You’re Not, discussing the challenges she faced for years before her diagnosis. She was diagnosed around four years ago, following the birth of her second child, but only recently felt ready to speak publicly about it.
Helen described a “lightbulb moment” after a conversation with a friend, when she realized many of her personality traits and behaviors matched those her friend was describing.
“I’d never considered that there might be something going on with me — I just thought I’m an actress, and everyone’s a little bit crazy,” she said.
She explained that the condition has affected her focus and memory, sometimes making it difficult to keep track of lines and stage directions on set.
“There have been times on Call the Midwife when I’ve had to double-check my scripts or rehearse scenes multiple times because my brain is constantly jumping around,” Helen admitted. “It can be exhausting, and it definitely makes the workday longer than it needs to be.”
Despite these challenges, Helen emphasized that some traits associated with ADHD, such as high energy, spontaneity, and emotional sensitivity, can actually enhance her performances:
“Oddly enough, some of the things that make acting harder for me in certain ways — like distractibility — also make me more alive on screen. There’s an intensity and authenticity to some moments that I might not have without it.”
Helen also discussed how the condition has made balancing her career with family life more complicated. She is a mother to daughters Wren, 8, and Lark, 4, and is gradually exploring treatment options, including medication, to help manage her symptoms.
“I need to figure out how to function best so I can be the best mother I can be,” she said.
While she has begun treatment, Helen said her long-term goal is to manage the condition without relying solely on medication, emphasizing that understanding herself is key to balancing both her career and family life.
“It’s a long learning process, but I hope to adapt and continue pursuing the career I love — on set and at home.”
