Following on from the Christmas special, which (as I think is now UK law at this point…) arrives on Christmas Day, the BBC has announced a January premiere date for ‘Call the Midwife‘ Season 13.
The new season continues to explore complex medical and personal situations on the midwifery and district nursing rounds. It is now 1969 and more babies are being born in hospitals than ever before. Pressure on maternity beds remains extremely high across the country but Poplar is coping better than most due to the work of Nonnatus House and the popularity of home births under the auspices of the Sisters.
This season will see stories from within the Sylheti and Nigerian communities and from around the docks. Poor housing continues to blight areas of Poplar presenting complex social and health challenges to the Nonnatus team. It will also explore issues surrounding Cerebral Palsy, Congenital Hip Dysplasia, Tetanus, Porphyria and TB.
Nonnatus House also kicks off a new pupil midwife-training scheme, welcoming pupil midwives Joyce Highland and Rosalind Clifford. Both are excited by this new stage in their careers and move into Nonnatus House, sharing a room.
Joyce Highland (Renee Bailey) hails from Trinidad and aims to become Matron of a British hospital. Hardworking, fiercely bright, and deeply kind, she has a traumatic past that she cannot conceal forever. Bailey previously starred as series regular Leila in BBC/Netflix’s popular series ‘Rebel Cheer Squad – A Get Even Series’, as well as the recurring role of Paris in the BAFTA-winning series ‘Mood’ for BBC Three/Bonafide
Rosalind Clifford (Natalie Quarry) is young, warm, passionate and funny. She may seem naive at times, but has an inner steeliness that will lead her to make some life-changing decisions. Quarry is a relative newcomer to TV, but has appeared previously in ‘Doctors’ for the BBC. Her recent theatre work includes ‘Amphibian’ at The King’s Head Theatre in 2021.
They join the regular returning cast including Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan, Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne, Laura Main as Shelagh Turner, Helen George as Trixie Aylward, Cliff Parisi as Fred Buckle, Stephen McGann as Dr Turner, Linda Bassett as Nurse Crane, Megan Cusack as Nancy Corrigan, Annabelle Apsion as Violet Buckle, Georgie Glen as Miss Higgins, Zephryn Taitte as Cyril Robinson, Olly Rix as Matthew Aylward, Rebecca Gethings as Sister Veronica, Daniel Laurie as Reggie Jackson, Max Macmillan as Timothy Turner, Alice Brown as Angela Turner, Francesca Fullilove as Colette Corrigan, April Rae Hoang as May Tang and Edward Shaw as Teddy Turner.
‘Call the Midwife’ has already been renewed for two further seasons (14 and 15) keeping the multiple award-winning drama will be on air until 2026.
‘Call the Midwife‘ returns on Christmas Day 2023 for a special, with Season 13 premiering Sunday, 7th January 2023 at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
