CALL THE MIDWIFE: BBC CONFIRMS TWO CHRISTMAS SPECIALS, RELEASES FIRST LOOK IMAGES

The BBC and Neal Street Productions have announced that this year, for the first time, Call the Midwife will celebrate Christmas with a two-part special coming to BBC iPlayer and BBC One over the festive period, in co-production with PBS.

The hugely popular series has traditionally treated fans to a 90-minute Christmas special, but 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).

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.

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.”

Production is already well underway on the next series of Call the Midwife, which consists of the two Christmas specials this year, followed by eight new episodes launching in early 2025 on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK, and on PBS in North America.

A further series – Call the Midwife’s fifteenth - has already been commissioned, meaning that the multiple award-winning drama will be on air until at least 2026.