Call the Midwife Getting Two-Part Christmas Special

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For the first time, Call the Midwife will mark Christmas with a two-part special for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, in co-production with PBS.

Call the Midwife’s Christmas special has consistently been one of the BBC’s most popular dramas over the holiday period, with last year’s special reaching 8.9 million viewers. In the past, the Christmas special has been 90 minutes, but this year’s holiday offering will consist of two 60-minute episodes.

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. As Poplar also prepares for a carol concert, the neighborhood 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.

Neal Street Productions is already well underway on production on the next season 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 U.K. and on PBS in North America.

BBC Studios distributes Call the Midwife globally and has sold the series to over 260 territories worldwide.

Heidi Thomas OBE, creator and writer, said: “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, added: “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, added: “Call the Midwife has become one of U.K. 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.”