The beloved BBC series Call the Midwife returns with its annual Christmas special, featuring stories set in both Poplar and Hong Kong. A team from Nonnatus House travels abroad to assist after a collapse, while local tales involve displacement and community support. Familiar faces lead the ensemble, joined by new guest stars.
The Christmas special of Call the Midwife spans locations in Poplar, East London, and Hong Kong, where a small party from Nonnatus House responds to the collapse of the Branch House. Jenny Agutter, who plays Sister Julienne, teased the themes: "Everything is about people being displaced in some way... it's very disturbing."
In Poplar, Cyril Robinson receives an unexpected request from a visitor, while Rosalind Clifford and Joyce Highland host a Christmas gathering. Sister Catherine, portrayed by Molly Vevers, becomes involved in a poignant case with two expectant Irish travellers living in a camp. Vevers described the storyline: "As the story unfolds, there's a lovely character called Queenie, who has a heartbreaking back story. And Sister Catherine is pivotal in supporting her and helping her process the grief she's been through. It's a really heart-rending story but woven in with all the Christmas magic of the rest of the episode."
The core cast returns, including Helen George as Trixie Aylward, who now splits time between New York and Poplar; Stephen McGann as Dr. Patrick Turner; Laura Main as Shelagh Turner; Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne; Linda Bassett as Nurse Phyllis Crane; Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan; and others like Rebecca Gethings as Sister Veronica, Renee Bailey as Joyce Highland, Natalie Quarry as Rosalind Clifford, and Zephryn Taitte as Cyril Robinson. Supporting roles feature Annabelle Apsion as Violet Buckle, Cliff Parisi as Fred Buckle, and Daniel Laurie as Reggie Jackson.
Guest stars for the special include Yennis Cheung as Esther Tang, Nicholas Atkinson as Derek Gee, Henry Goodman as Mr. Fischer, Aoife McMahon as Queenie Forsyth, and several others bringing fresh dynamics to the narratives. Dame Vanessa Redgrave narrates as the voice of Jennifer Worth, providing continuity to the series' heartfelt storytelling.
This special precedes season 15, set to premiere on January 11 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
