Olly Rix – Biography, Career, and Engagement to Anna Chell

Olly Rix has become one of the most recognisable faces on British television through his starring roles in two of the BBC’s most beloved dramas. He first captured audiences as Matthew Aylward in Call the Midwife before moving to the emergency department as Flynn Byron in Casualty.

His career has been defined by these long-running series, but his personal life has equally captured the spotlight. After months of speculation, Rix confirmed his relationship with Casualty co-star Anna Chell in 2025, followed by an engagement announcement in January 2026 that drew widespread congratulations from co-stars and fans alike.

This profile brings together the publicly available facts about his life, career, and recent news, offering a clear picture of where he comes from and where he stands today.

Who Is Olly Rix? Biography and Background

• Full Name: Olly Rix
• Age: 40 (born 14 February 1985)
• Known For: Call the Midwife, Casualty
• Partner: Anna Chell (engaged 2026)

• Olly Rix is a British actor best known for playing Flynn Byron in Casualty and Matthew Aylward in Call the Midwife.
• He studied English Literature at Oxford University before training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
• Rix has been open about his displeasure with how his departure from Call the Midwife was handled by BBC bosses.
• His relationship with Casualty co-star Anna Chell became public in 2025, and the pair became engaged in January 2026.
• Despite his growing profile, several personal details such as his exact height and net worth remain unconfirmed in official sources.

Olly Rix’s Career: From Casualty to Call the Midwife

Rix trained at LAMDA alongside actor Sam Claflin and began his professional career on the stage, performing in productions such as Cardenio, Marat/Sade, The City Madam and Richard II.

Call the Midwife

Rix joined Call the Midwife in 2021 as Matthew Aylward, a wealthy businessman who becomes involved with the nurses and residents of Poplar. The character was a regular for four series before being written out of the show. On the programme, Matthew was romantically linked to Trixie Franklin, played by Helen George. Rix and George also had a brief off-screen relationship.

Casualty

In 2024, Rix joined the cast of Casualty as Flynn Byron, a main character whose storylines have dealt with his army past and the emotional consequences of his service. The role marked a significant shift from the period setting of Call the Midwife to a modern medical environment.

Other Television Roles

Earlier in his career, Rix appeared in The Musketeers, WPC 56 and Of Kings and Prophets. He also played Edward Stafford in the historical drama The White Princess until 2020.

Call the Midwife Departure

Rix was outspoken about his exit from Call the Midwife. In June 2025, he publicly criticised BBC bosses over how his character was written out of the series. The BBC responded to his comments at the time.

Olly Rix’s Relationship Status: Partner, Wife, and Family

Olly Rix is engaged to Anna Chell, best known for playing Jodie Whyte on Casualty. The couple met while working on the programme.

Relationship with Anna Chell

Rix and Chell reportedly kept their relationship private at first, although social-media posts prompted speculation among fans. Rix confirmed the relationship publicly in 2025 with a series of summer photographs captioned “Summer with Anna and Nellie,” referring to Chell and his dog.

In January 2026, Rix announced their engagement on Instagram with a photograph of himself kissing Chell on the forehead, using an engagement-ring emoji and a red heart in the caption. Casualty colleagues Melanie Hill, Kirsty Mitchell and Sammy Dobson congratulated the couple in the comments.

The engagement to Anna Chell is Rix’s second widely reported romance with a co-star from a medical drama. He was previously linked to Helen George, his on-screen love interest on Call the Midwife.

Previous Relationship

Rix had a brief off-screen relationship with Helen George, who played Trixie Franklin in Call the Midwife. Their relationship ended before Rix moved on to Casualty.

Olly Rix’s Engagement and Recent News

The engagement to Anna Chell has been the dominant news story surrounding Olly Rix in 2026. The announcement was picked up by multiple entertainment outlets, including Hello! Magazine and Digital Spy.

Later coverage in August 2026 showed the couple continuing to share affectionate photographs on social media, suggesting a stable and happy relationship.

The engagement announcement was met with widespread positivity. Fans and media outlets noted the pattern of on-screen romances turning into real-life partnerships for Rix, following his earlier relationship with Helen George.

Olly Rix’s Career and Personal Life Timeline

1. 14 February 1985: Olly Rix is born.
2. 2014–2016: Studies English Literature at Trinity College, Oxford; involved in the university dramatic society.
3. 2016: Begins professional acting career. Trains at LAMDA.
4. 2021: Joins cast of Call the Midwife as Matthew Aylward.
5. 2024: Joins cast of Casualty as Flynn Byron.
6. June 2025: Publicly criticises BBC bosses over Call the Midwife exit.
7. 2025: Confirms relationship with Casualty co-star Anna Chell.
8. January 2026: Announces engagement to Anna Chell.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Olly Rix?

Several facts are a matter of public record. Rix is a British actor, known for playing Matthew Aylward in Call the Midwife and Flynn Byron in Casualty, who studied at Oxford University before training at LAMDA. He became engaged to Anna Chell in January 2026.

Other personal details have not been officially confirmed. His height is known only through fan estimates, his departure from Call the Midwife remains subject to conflicting public statements, and no public evidence exists regarding children or his net worth.

Broader Context of Olly Rix’s Rise and Public Profile

Olly Rix’s career trajectory reflects a pattern familiar in British television: a move from period and historical dramas to long-running contemporary series. His transition from Call the Midwife to Casualty gave him a platform on two of the BBC’s most-watched shows within a short span of time.

His public criticism of BBC management over his Call the Midwife exit brought a rare moment of tension between actor and network into the open, a dynamic that entertainment journalists frequently cover. The engagement to Anna Chell turned a professional collaboration into a personal news story, adding to his visibility in celebrity media.

Rix’s path shares some similarities with other British actors transitioning between critically acclaimed period pieces and long-running television series, such as Dominic Cooper – Net Worth, Wife, Kids, and Famous Roles, or Adjoa Andoh – Age, Roles and Career Beyond Bridgerton, though Rix’s career is distinctively focused on medical dramas.

Key Sources and Statements About Olly Rix

Call the Midwife star Olly Rix has announced his engagement to his Casualty co-star Anna Chell.

— Hello! Magazine (Jan 2026)

Call the Midwife star Olly Rix previously said he didn’t like the way he was treated by bosses after his character was axed.

— WalesOnline (Jun 2025)

After securing a place to study English Literature at Trinity College Oxford, Olly became actively involved in the university’s dramatic society.

— Prime Video Bio

Summary of Olly Rix’s Life and Career

Olly Rix has built a solid career in British television through standout roles in Call the Midwife and Casualty. His relationship with Anna Chell has kept him in the public eye beyond his acting work, culminating in a widely celebrated engagement. While some aspects of his personal life remain private, the verified facts confirm a steady professional trajectory and a high-profile personal chapter that continues to unfold.

Frequently Asked Questions About Olly Rix