The BBC and Neal Street Productions have announced that, for the first time, Call the Midwife will celebrate Christmas with a two-part special, airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer during the festive season, in collaboration with PBS.
Traditionally, the beloved series has delighted fans with a 90-minute Christmas special, but this year’s holiday offering will be expanded into two 60-minute episodes, complete with a Christmas cliffhanger! Call the Midwife‘s annual festive special has become a fan favourite, with last year’s episode drawing 8.9 million viewers (28-day figure), making it one of the most-watched dramas of the season.
Returning to 1969, all the much-loved characters are back in Poplar for a Christmas filled with the usual bustle of midwifery duties. The Nonnatus House team is hard at work delivering babies and caring for their community, while the arrival of a funfair brings added colour and joy to the chilly streets. However, the festivities are tempered by the onset of influenza, including the Hong Kong flu, which begins to spread through the borough. Poplar’s preparations for a Christmas carol concert are also overshadowed by unsettling news of an escaped prisoner, and a series of break-ins fuel fears that he may be hiding nearby.
The Turner children become swept up in the excitement of the Blue Peter Christmas appeal, collecting dinky cars and scrap metal. Meanwhile, Trixie makes a brief return to Nonnatus House to reconnect with her brother Geoffrey, and Miss Higgins’ grandson Harry stays with her for the holidays. Violet hosts a mince pie competition, but the Buckles’ plans for Reggie’s homecoming are thrown into chaos as unexpected challenges arise.
It’s shaping up to be a Christmas full of drama, heart, and holiday cheer in Poplar!
Heidi Thomas OBE, creator and writer says: “Who doesn’t love finding an extra, unexpected present underneath the Christmas tree? When I was asked to write a two-part Christmas special for 2024, I couldn’t resist!”
Dame Pippa Harris, executive producer says: “For the first time viewers can luxuriate in a two part festive treat this Christmas. Heidi has created a spellbinding special which I know will delight our loyal fans.”
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: “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! 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.”
As the Call the Midwife Christmas specials have become a cherished tradition, they continue to capture the hearts of viewers year after year with their perfect blend of warmth, drama, and festive spirit. Each holiday season, the series takes us back to the beloved community of Poplar, where the Nonnatus House team faces new challenges, celebrates triumphs, and spreads joy, all while embracing the true meaning of Christmas.
Whether it’s the emotional moments, the unforgettable cliffhangers, or the return of familiar faces, the Christmas specials remind us of the strength of community, the power of compassion, and the enduring spirit of the holidays. With each passing year, Call the Midwife proves that there’s no better way to ring in the season than with a trip to Poplar.
