Ben Caplan is desperate to carve out a career in the US.

Ben Caplan

Ben Caplan

The 42-year-old actor announced last week that he was planning to quit 'Call the Midwife' - a show he's starred in since 2012 - in order to try other ventures but it seems his dreams and aspirations extend further than just in his native country.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, he said: "I'm looking to explore more ventures. Because I've been working over here solidly, I've not really been available to go over there. I'll pop over to LA at some point and have some meetings.

"I'm watching so many good things on Netflix and Amazon. The quality is so exciting I would love to see if there might be opportunities for me."

Hearts broke around the country when Ben confirmed he was stepping down as PC Peter Noakes, who is married to Miranda Hart's Camilla 'Chummy' Fortescue-Cholmeley-Browne, in the period drama because he wanted to try new things.

He said: "I'm taking a break to concentrate on other things ... It's been lovely to have been there since the beginning, an amazing roller coaster ride, and I'm honoured to have been part of the whole journey, but there comes a point six years down the line that, as an actor, it's good to keep my foot in with the theatre world and exploring other roles.

"Much as I love playing Peter Noakes, it's great to go off and play some more edgy characters and show a little bit more diversity."

Despite leaving the show, Ben teased that bosses have left the door open for him and Miranda, who was written out of the fourth series, to return.

He explained: "The door is very much open for both myself and Miranda and I'm sure we'll make an appearance again."