Call the Midwife - BBC confirms two Christmas visits to Poplar

The show’s festive two-part special takes place at Christmas 1969.

The festive episodes of Call the Midwife are a televisual institution, just like Doctor Who and latterly, Death in Paradise.

This year, however, the show takes things further by offering two 60-minute episodes, rather than a single 90-minute special.

Call the Midwife Christmas 2024 — (Image: BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney)

The BBC have released four images from the show, as well as a synopsis of the storyline.

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!”

The BBC report that filming on season 14 is well under way, with eight new episodes due in 2025. Plus, the show’s future is confirmed for 2026, with season 15 already commissioned too.

Call the Midwife comes from All3Media’s Neal Street Productions for the BBC in co-production with PBS.

We wait on the BBC’s festive schedule, but doubtless one of these episodes will take centre stage on Christmas Day. In the meantime, you can find the show’s entire back catalogue on BBC iPlayer.