Call the Midwife (Review)
- 14 hours ago
- 5 min read
Since its inception over a decade ago, the Call the Midwife British drama has evolved from a limited adaptation of a memoir into a global television phenomenon. Premiering on January 15, 2012, the show shared its release date with another iconic UK series, Endeavour, marking a significant day in the Call the Midwife series history and British television as a whole. Produced in the United Kingdom by Neal Street Productions, the series provides a moving and often unflinching look at midwifery, family, and the social evolution of London’s East End.
The Vision and Production
The show was created and is largely written by Heidi Thomas, who adapted the first two series from the best-selling memoirs of Jennifer Worth. Produced by Annie Tricklebank and executive produced by Pippa Harris, the series initially centered on Worth’s real-life experiences with the Community of St. John the Divine.
The production is noted for its meticulous attention to period detail. While early filming for the nursing convent, Nonnatus House, took place at St. Joseph's Missionary College in North London, the set was later moved to Longcross Studios in Surrey. Exterior scenes are famously shot at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, which stands in for the gritty streets of Poplar, London. The emotional resonance of the series is further bolstered by its orchestral score, composed by Peter Salem for the first three series and Maurizio Malagnini from series four onwards.
A Decade of Growth: Series History and Plot
The Call the Midwife series history is defined by its longevity and its commitment to tackling difficult subjects. As of early 2025, the show has aired 14 series and 123 episodes, with a 15th series confirmed to air in 2026.
The synopsis follows newly qualified midwife Jenny Lee as she arrives at Nonnatus House, an Anglican nursing convent. Initially expecting a private hospital, she is surprised to find herself working alongside a group of dedicated nuns and nurses in the deprived Poplar district. The plot focuses on the group’s primary mission: bringing safe childbirth to a community where 80 to 100 babies are born every month.
As the show progressed beyond Worth’s memoirs, each series began to cover a specific calendar year, allowing the narrative to explore the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s:
• Series 1-3 (1957–1959): Focused on the "Baby Boom," poverty, and post-war immigration.
• Series 4-6 (1960–1962): Addressed the threat of nuclear warfare, LGBT rights, the introduction of the contraceptive pill, and the thalidomide scandal.
• Series 7-9 (1963–1965): Introduced the first major character of colour, Nurse Lucille Anderson, and tackled leprosy, Huntington’s disease, and the role of Nonnatus House in a changing community.
• Series 10-14 (1966–1970): Explored the 1960s housing crisis, the addiction crisis, and most recently, the Isle of Dogs' fight for independence and single motherhood.
Main and Current Characters
The enduring appeal of the show is largely attributed to the Call the Midwife cast, which has maintained a core group of characters while introducing new faces over the years.
• Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter): The compassionate and steady Sister-in-charge.
• Sister Monica Joan (Judy Parfitt): One of Britain’s first qualified midwives, now retired and known for her eccentric, philosophical nature.
• Nurse Beatrix "Trixie" Franklin (Helen George): A glamorous but highly skilled midwife who has been with the show since the first episode.
• Shelagh Turner (Laura Main): Formerly Sister Bernadette, she left the order to marry Dr. Patrick Turner (Stephen McGann) and now works as the surgery’s practice manager.
• Nurse Phyllis Crane (Linda Bassett): A diligent and no-nonsense senior midwife who joined in series four.
• Fred Buckle (Cliff Parisi): The kind-hearted caretaker and shopkeeper.
• Jenny Lee (Jessica Raine): The original protagonist (series 1–3), with her older self narrated by Vanessa Redgrave.
The show has also featured memorable former cast members, such as Miranda Hart as "Chummy" Noakes and Pam Ferris as Sister Evangelina.
Distribution and Global Success
The original release network for the show is BBC One in the UK and PBS in the United States. However, its distribution has reached a massive scale. BBC Worldwide has sold the series to 237 global territories, including Australia (ABC), New Zealand (TVNZ 1), Sweden (SVT), and Norway (NRK). Additionally, the global Video on Demand rights were sold to Netflix, making it accessible to a wide digital audience.
Critics’ Response and Accolades
The critics response has been overwhelmingly positive, with the series achieving high ratings consistently. In the US, the first series received a Metacritic score of 8.0, with The Wall Street Journal describing it as an "immensely absorbing drama". It has been praised as a "torchbearer of feminism" for its depiction of female social, medical, and economic issues. While some academics recently suggested it should carry a "health warning" for outdated birthing practices, the production defended the show as a period drama accurate to its specific time.
The show’s accolades are extensive:
• TV Choice Awards: Won Best New Drama (2012) and multiple Best Family Drama awards (2015–2023).
• National Television Awards: Won Best Period Drama (2017) and Best Returning Drama (2025).
• BAFTAs: Won awards for Director (Philippa Lowthorpe) and Make Up and Hair Design.
• Radio Times: Voted the Best TV show of the past 25 years in 2022.
Future Adaptations and Spin-offs
The future of the franchise looks bright with several adaptations and spin-offs in development. In May 2025, the BBC announced that a Call the Midwife feature film is in the works, set in 1972 and featuring iconic characters from the series. Furthermore, a prequel spin-off series is planned, which will explore the lives of midwives in Poplar during the Second World War and the Blitz, potentially featuring younger versions of familiar characters.
🔖 Key Takeaways
🗝️ Call the Midwife is a highly successful British drama that premiered in 2012 on BBC One and PBS.
🗝️ The series history spans 14 completed series, with series 15 scheduled for 2026.
🗝️ The Call the Midwife cast features long-standing stars like Jenny Agutter, Judy Parfitt, and Helen George.
🗝️ It is globally distributed to over 230 territories and is a staple on Netflix and PBS.
🗝️ The show has won numerous BAFTAs and National Television Awards and was voted the best show of the last 25 years by Radio Times.
🗝️ Upcoming projects include a feature film set in 1972 and a prequel series set during the Blitz.
🌐 External sources
Keywords: Call the Midwife
Call the Midwife
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