Olly Rix – Full Bio, Age, Partner, and TV Roles

Olly Rix is an English actor widely recognised for his portrayal of Matthew Aylward in the BBC period drama Call the Midwife and surgeon Flynn Byron in the long-running medical series Casualty. Born on 14 February 1985, he established himself through classical theatre before transitioning to prominent television roles. His recent engagement to fellow Casualty actor Anna Chell has drawn considerable public interest.

Rix studied English Literature at Trinity College, Oxford, before training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). His career began in earnest on the stage, including work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, before he moved into screen acting in the early 2010s.

Over the past decade, Rix has built a filmography that spans historical epics, period dramas, and contemporary hospital series, making him a familiar face to British television audiences.

Who Is Olly Rix?

Olly Rix is a British actor born on 14 February 1985, best known for his television work. He gained widespread recognition after joining the cast of Call the Midwife in 2021.

Overview

Key Insights

• Rix is a British actor best known for playing Matthew Aylward in BBC’s Call the Midwife.
• He transitioned to Casualty in the mid-2020s, taking on the role of Clinical Lead Flynn Byron.
• He studied English Literature at Oxford University before training at LAMDA.
• His early career was rooted in theatre, notably with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
• He is engaged to Casualty co-star Anna Chell, with the engagement confirmed in January 2026.

Biographical Facts

Who Is Olly Rix’s Partner?

Olly Rix and Anna Chell

Olly Rix is engaged to actress Anna Chell. The couple confirmed their engagement in January 2026 after appearing together in a social-media photograph. At the time, Rix was reported as 40 and Chell as 29. They are colleagues on the set of Casualty, where Chell plays nurse Jodie Whyte. The Evening Standard reported the news alongside details of their working relationship.

Who Is Anna Chell?

Born Anna Lucy Chell on 17 January 1997 in Stafford, England, she is 29 in 2026. She joined Casualty in 2023 as Jodie Whyte. According to her biography on Wikipedia, her television career is primarily defined by this role.

Previous Relationship

Before his relationship with Chell, Rix was linked to Call the Midwife co-star Helen George, who played his on-screen wife Trixie Franklin. Reports indicate this off-screen relationship ended before Rix’s romance with Chell became public.

What Movies and TV Shows Has Olly Rix Been In?

Call the Midwife (Matthew Aylward)

Rix joined the BBC period drama in 2021 as Matthew Aylward, a wealthy widower who forms a romantic relationship with Trixie Franklin. He appeared as a series regular across four series, making the role his most recognisable to date. His Wikipedia entry notes Matthew was eventually written out of the programme after this run.

Casualty (Flynn Byron)

Rix plays Flynn Byron, a surgeon and clinical lead in the BBC’s Casualty. The character’s background includes service in the special forces, creating dramatic tension with the NHS bureaucracy. The Evening Standard outlined this contrast in their coverage of the show’s new lineup.

Other Television Roles

Rix has a string of notable television credits. He played Edward Stafford in the Starz series The Spanish Princess through 2020. Earlier roles include David in ABC’s Of Kings and Prophets, a recurring part in The Musketeers, and appearances in Death Comes to Pemberley and Ashes to Ashes. A full list is available on his Apple TV profile.

Why Did Olly Rix Leave Call the Midwife?

Rix exited Call the Midwife after the 2024 season. In an interview with Hello! magazine, he said he understood fans’ disappointment and shared their feelings about his departure from the show. No specific creative or personal reasons were officially detailed beyond the natural conclusion of his storyline over four series.

Olly Rix Career and Life Timeline

1. 1985: Born on 14 February.
2. 2000s: Studies English Literature at Trinity College, Oxford; becomes involved in the university’s dramatic society.
3. 2010s: Begins professional theatre work, including with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
4. 2015: Appears in The Musketeers and WPC 56.
5. 2016: Plays David in ABC’s Of Kings and Prophets.
6. 2019–2020: Portrays Edward Stafford in Starz’s The Spanish Princess.
7. 2021–2024: Stars as Matthew Aylward in BBC’s Call the Midwife.
8. 2024–2025: Joins BBC’s Casualty as Flynn Byron.
9. 2026: Confirms engagement to Casualty co-star Anna Chell.

How Tall Is Olly Rix and What Else Is Uncertain?

While Rix’s birth date and educational background are well-documented, some details remain ambiguous across public sources.

Established Information

• Birth date: 14 February 1985.
• Nationality: English / British.
• Education: Trinity College, Oxford; LAMDA.
• Notable roles in Call the Midwife, Casualty, and The Spanish Princess.

Information That Remains Unclear

• Height: No official or reliable figure for Rix’s height is published in any major, authoritative source. Any measurement circulating online is speculative.
• Marital status: He is confirmed to be engaged to Anna Chell. Whether they are legally married is not publicly verified. Terminology varies between “partner”, “fiancée”, and “wife”.
• Exact birthplace: The specific town or county of his birth in England is not widely listed in standard biographies.

What Is Olly Rix’s Background?

Rix’s career arc demonstrates a deliberate progression from classical theatre to leading roles in prominent British television series. His background in the Royal Shakespeare Company and his Oxford education provided a strong foundation for the period dramas and historically-grounded characters he has played, such as Edward Stafford in The Spanish Princess and Matthew Aylward in Call the Midwife.

His transition to Casualty represents a shift towards a long-running contemporary series, suggesting a strategic move to increase his visibility over the long term. This career path, alongside the public interest in his personal life with Anna Chell, keeps him active in the UK television landscape. For a broader look at his career milestones, see our dedicated profile: Olly Rix – Biography, Age, Engagement, and Career.

Credible Sources on Olly Rix

The most reliable facts about Rix are compiled from standard entertainment databases and press interviews. His professional acting credits are catalogued on industry sites such as IMDb and his official talent agency page at ARG Talent.

“Olly Rix has spoken to HELLO! about his exit from Call the Midwife… The actor, who played Matthew Aylward in the BBC period drama, felt the same way as many fans about his departure.”

– Hello! magazine

“The character’s background includes service in the special forces, creating storylines around the contrast between military decision-making and the rules and bureaucracy of the NHS.”

– Evening Standard

Further discussion of his fanbase and departure can be found in public forums like this Reddit thread linking to the original interview.

Summary

Olly Rix is a versatile British actor whose career has spanned classical theatre, historical drama, and contemporary television. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Matthew Aylward in Call the Midwife and currently appears as Flynn Byron in Casualty. His personal life, particularly his engagement to co-star Anna Chell, has further sustained public interest. For a comprehensive look, read our profile: Olly Rix – Biography, Career, and Engagement to Anna Chell.

Frequently Asked Questions About Olly Rix