The BBC has an additional present for ‘Call The Midwife‘ fans this Christmas as they announce that, for the first time ever, the drama will have a two-part special on BBC iPlayer and BBC One over the festive period.
“Who doesn’t love finding an extra, unexpected present underneath the Christmas tree?” commented Heidi Thomas OBE, creator and writer. “When I was asked to write a two-part Christmas special for 2024, I couldn’t resist!”
All the regular, well-loved characters will return for a Christmas set in 1969 where the Nonnatus midwives are in their element, all busy delivering babies and doing the job they are most dedicated and committed to. The funfair comes to Poplar, adding a burst of colour and excitement to the frosty landscape but there are other visitors to the borough – including influenza and the Hong Kong flu. As Poplar also prepares for a carol concert, the neighbourhood is gripped by the news of an escaped prisoner and fears grow that he may be in the local area after a spate of break-ins. The Turner children are caught up in the fever surrounding the Blue Peter Christmas appeal to collect dinky cars and scrap metal. Trixie makes a fleeting visit to Nonnatus House and is delighted to see her brother Geoffrey, and Miss Higgins has her grandson Harry stay for Christmas. Violet hosts a mince pie competition but the Buckles’ preparations for Reggie’s homecoming are thrown into turmoil.
Regular cast returning are: 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, Rebecca Gethings as Sister Veronica, Daniel Laurie as Reggie Jackson, Renee Bailey as Joyce Highland, Natalie Quarry as Rosalind Clifford, Alice Brown as Angela Turner, Francesca Fullilove as Colette Corrigan, April Rae Hoang as May Tang and Edward Shaw as Teddy Turner.
Whilst traditionally the hugely popular series has treated fans to a 90-minute Christmas special, this year’s festive trip to Poplar will consist of two 60-minute episodes – complete with a Christmas cliffhanger! Call the Midwife’s Christmas special has repeatedly proven to be one of the most popular dramas on TV over the festive period, with last year’s special reaching 8.9 million viewers (28-day figure).
Production is already well underway on the next season, which consists of eight new episodes launching in early 2025 on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK, and on PBS in North America. ‘Call the Midwife’ has already been renewed for a 15th Season, meaning that the multiple award-winning drama will be on air until at least 2026.
“Call the Midwife has become one of UK television’s most popular festive traditions, and this year we wanted to go even better with Call the Midwife’s biggest Christmas ever!” adds Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. “Heidi and the team have lined up an absolute treat, with two irresistible episodes packed full of everything fans will love about this very special series at Christmas time.”
Commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, and Gaynor Holmes, Commissioning Editor for BBC Drama, Call the Midwife is made by All3Media’s Neal Street Productions for the BBC in co-production with PBS. The series is created, written and executive produced by Heidi Thomas, executive produced by Pippa Harris, for Neal Street Productions, and Ann Tricklebank who also serves as producer. Gaynor Holmes is the executive producer for the BBC. BBC Studios distribute Call the Midwife globally and have sold the series to over 260 territories worldwide and counting.
‘Call The Midwife‘ Christmas specials don’t have an exact date yet (although at least one episode will likely be on Christmas Day), but will air over the 2024 festive period, followed by Season 14 in early 2025 on BBC One & BBC iPlayer. If you want to keep track of this or any other show, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
