Fans of Call The Midwife are in for a big change this Christmas – and not the one you were expecting!
The beloved BBC drama has just revealed that there will be no festive special this year, leaving viewers heartbroken as they won’t get their usual dose of holiday cheer from Nonnatus House. For years, the series has brightened Christmas Day with its emotional and heartwarming special episodes. But now, Call The Midwife is shaking things up.
Instead of the traditional Christmas special, fans will be treated to the exciting launch of a prequel series entitled Sisters In Arms, which will air during the Christmas period. The prequel will dive into the past, bringing viewers back to World War II, and promises to include younger versions of much-loved characters such as Fred Buckle, Dr. Turner, and nuns like Sister Julienne, Sister Evangelina, and Sister Monica Joan – all of whom were active during the war years.
Creator and writer Heidi Thomas confirmed the shift, telling reporters: “No, there won’t be a Christmas special this Christmas, not in the traditional mould. This is really just a very temporary pause in the usual pattern.”
This prequel will open new doors at Nonnatus House, offering fans a fresh perspective on familiar faces – though much younger! Thomas shared that the Blitz years in the East End were filled with loss, unity, courage, and joy. Despite the chaos of war, the babies kept coming, and the Sisters never stopped their life-saving work.
“There will be so much in the prequel for our wonderful, loyal fans, including the appearance of some familiar (if much younger!) faces,” Thomas teased.
While it was suggested that the prequel might focus on Nurse Trixie Franklin’s backstory, it remains to be seen which character will take center stage. Trixie, currently played by Helen George, may be portrayed by a younger actress, giving us a glimpse of her early years during the war.
The big change comes on the heels of an emotional series finale for Call The Midwife Season 15, which saw Sister Monica Joan (played by 90-year-old Judy Parfitt) say goodbye in a heartbreaking death scene. Fans were left reeling as the beloved character, who has been a staple of the show since it began in 2012, passed away in a truly emotional twist.
While there won’t be a Call The Midwife special this Christmas, the prequel will fill the gap, giving fans a fresh, emotional story to look forward to. As for the future of the main series? It’s on a brief hiatus, with creator Heidi Thomas also working on a movie version of the beloved show.
Get ready for a whole new chapter in the Call The Midwife world – and, even though there’s no festive special this year, the heartwarming legacy of Nonnatus House will never fade away. Stay tuned!
