Surprise Call The Midwife spin-off revealed – but with MAJOR change from show's last series
IT'S one of the BBC's biggest and longest running dramas, now the Call the Midwife universe is rapidly expanding over the coming year.
The biggest news is that they will be making a prequel - which bosses have hinted at for some time now - and since it's set in World War II it could feature younger versions of older characters from the more recent series.
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They're likely to include Fred Buckle, Dr Turner and a trio of nuns - Sister Julienne, Sister Evangelina and Sister Monica Joan - all of whom are known to have been around during the conflict.
As well as the prequel they are making a conventional 15th series - with a two part Christmas special - they're also creating a movie version as well.
Creator and writer Heidi Thomas said: 'The opening of new doors at Nonnatus House feels profoundly emotional, and yet just right.
"I have never run out of stories for our midwives, and I never will.
"But having wept, laughed, and raged my way from 1957 to 1971, I found myself yearning to delve into the deeper past.
" The Blitz years in the East End were extraordinary - filled with loss, togetherness, courage and joy.
"The bombs fell, the babies kept on coming, and the Sisters kept on going.
"There will be so much in the prequel for our wonderful, loyal fans, including the appearance of some familiar (if much younger!) faces."
The two-part festive special will be set in their traditional surroundings of Poplar as well as Hong Kong this time round.
Series 15 will then follow, kicking off in 1971 with several of the ladies embracing Women's Lib and burning their bras outside Nonnatus House.
Call the Midwife fans stunned after discovering Renee Bailey's racy TV past - and it's worlds away from Joyce
Meanwhile producers Neal Street will work with BBC Film on creating the movie version of the show which will be set overseas in
1972 and feature characters from the existing TV show.
Heidi added: "Whilst the location of the film remains top-secret, I can say it is going to look absolutely fantastic on the big screen.'
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