Nonnatus House welcomes two new pupil midwives as the show reaches 1969.
The BBC have announced the start of production on series 13 of the enduring Call the Midwife.
With all the regulars retuning, the show is also adding two new faces. As Nonnatus House launches a new training scheme, two pupil midwifes join the team.
Renee Bailey (Mood) plays Joyce Highland. Joyce comes from Trinidad and aims to become Matron of a British hospital. Hardworking, fiercely bright, and deeply kind, she has a traumatic past that she cannot conceal forever.
Natalie Quarry is Rosalind Clifford, who is described as young, warm, passionate and funny. She may seem naive at times but has an inner steeliness that will lead her to make some life-changing decisions.
Series 13 storylines
Call the Midwife will continue to explore complex medical and personal situations on the midwifery and district nursing rounds. It is now 1969 and more babies are being born in hospital than ever before. Pressure on maternity beds remains extremely high across the country but Poplar is coping better than most due to the work of Nonnatus House and the popularity of home births under the auspices of the Sisters.
This series will see stories from within the Sylheti and Nigerian communities and from around the docks. Poor housing continues to blight areas of Poplar presenting complex social and health challenges to the Nonnatus team. It will also explore issues surrounding Cerebral Palsy, Congenital Hip Dysplasia, Tetanus, Porphyria and TB.
Returning faces
The show’s returning ensemble are; Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan, Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne, Laura Main as Shelagh Turner, Helen George as Trixie Aylward, Cliff Parisi as Fred Buckle, Stephen McGann as Dr Turner, Linda Bassett as Nurse Crane, Megan Cusack as Nancy Corrigan, Annabelle Apsion as Violet Buckle, Georgie Glen as Miss Higgins, Zephryn Taitte as Cyril Robinson, Olly Rix as Matthew Aylward, Rebecca Gethings as Sister Veronica, Daniel Laurie as Reggie Jackson, Max Macmillan as Timothy Turner, Alice Brown as Angela Turner, Francesca Fullilove as Colette Corrigan, April Rae Hoang as May Tang and Edward Shaw as Teddy Turner.
Creator and writer Heidi Thomas says:
“After so many years, our much loved regular characters are like family to me – and our wonderful fans so often tell me that they feel the same. I know they will be as thrilled as I am that Series 13 of Call the Midwife is full of beautiful moments that celebrate the young, the old, and the precious ties that bind them. After Trixie’s spectacular wedding, the Nonnatus House community feels more tightly-knit than ever, but life in Poplar has never been a fairy tale. As 1969 unfolds we will see change and challenge rock the world of our beloved nuns, nurses, medics, and midwives. Newcomers Joyce and Rosalind arrive with much to learn, and much to give. And yet even as man prepares to walk on the moon, we see them grappling with life’s eternal questions. Who are we? What is love? And where do we belong?”
Call the Midwife is made by All3Media’s Neal Street Productions for the BBC. The series is created, written and executive produced by Heidi Thomas, executive produced by Pippa Harris, for Neal Street Productions, and Ann Tricklebank who also serves as producer. Gaynor Holmes is the executive producer for the BBC.
Production has commenced on a 90-minute Christmas special for 2023, followed by 8 episodes for 2024. Series 14 and 15 have already been confirmed too, keeping the show on air until 2026.
In the meantime, the show’s entire back catalogue is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.