Latest news with #HeidiThomas
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hidden gem BBC period drama dubbed ‘better than Downton Abbey' returns to screens a whopping 18 years after original broadcast
An overlooked diamond from the BBC archive has received acclaim from watchers, who have compared it to the multi-award-winning Downton Abbey - a titan of British TV. Lilies, which premiered in 2007, had an eight-episode run, and followed the story of three sisters living with their father and brother in post-WWI Liverpool. Iris (played by Catherine Tyldesley), Mary (Leanne Rowe) and Ruby Moss (Kerrie Hayes) come of age in a family living on the breadline. The sisters, though vastly different, go through the simultaneous experience of launching their adult lives for the first time, navigating poverty, passion and prejudice. The show was the brainchild of Heidi Thomas (creator of Call the Midwife), who was inspired to write it from the stories that her grandmother told her of growing up in post-war Liverpool. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The show is close to home for Thomas, with some aspects being a raw, direct televisation of her grandmother's anecdotes. 'The end result is not a series about my family,' she notes, 'but a series about the family that might have lived next door.' 'There's not one single episode that doesn't contain something handed down in anecdote.' The series was praised for its compelling storyline and strong performance, however, it was not renewed past eight episodes, with the last episode to date airing on February 29, 2007. Producer Chrissy Skinns, whose credentials include The Last Kingdom, A Spy Among Friends and Elizabeth is Missing, was instantly mesmerised by the script once it crossed her desk. 'The Lilies scripts were quite unlike anything I had read before,' she said. 'They were funny, surprising, and made me cry. Above all else, I knew that the Mosses were a family I instantly cared about, and wanted to spend time with.' Fans are equally as mesmerised, with one rating it 10/10 on IMDB, penning: 'This series is brilliantly written and beautifully realized. Like Heidi Thomas' more recent effort CALL THE MIDWIFE, it seems coy, but tackles difficult topics head-on and without blinking. 'This was such a massive hit in the UK that a fervent campaign for more seasons resulted in nearly a year of developmental meetings and script experiments. In the end, it was decided not to tamper with it, it's that perfect' Another wrote: 'I came across this at the small local library near where I live and it had such a high imdb rating that I had to check it out---and I'm glad I did. 'Connected stories of a families troubles in England, 1920. It was so well written that you find yourself rooting for the different characters, and their setbacks tug at your emotions. Looking at the film extra's section after I viewed it, I was surprised to see how they made the set because it all seemed so realistic.' Viewers have gushed that the show even supersedes the quality of Julian Fellowes' hit ITV series Downton Abbey, which was released three years later, in 2010.
Edinburgh Live
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
BBC period drama series 'better than Downton Abbey' as fans demand return of show
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The 2007 BBC period-drama series 'Lilies', spanning eight episodes and crafted by Heidi Thomas, captivated audiences with its tale of the Ross sisters - Iris, Mary, and Ruby - navigating life in post-WWI Liverpool alongside their father and brother. Heidi Thomas, the mastermind behind 'Call The Midwife', moulded 'Lilies' from the rich tapestry of family anecdotes about her grandmother's upbringing in Liverpool after the war. In a heartfelt revelation in 2007 prior to the show's debut, Thomas shared with the BBC: "My family were all terrific raconteurs, and I grew up hearing tales that could make you weep, and rock with laughter. They evoked a hard world, but one that thrilled with energy." READ MORE - Netflix's new crime thriller hailed 'mind-blowing' as viewers demand multiple seasons READ MORE - Steven Gerrard's off-screen life from famous wife, massive net worth and 'career return' She continued to share the personal legacy embedded in her work: "There is not one single episode that doesn't contain something handed down in anecdote." Despite scoring exceptionally well with viewers, to the point of being hailed as The Sunday Times' pick of the week for a relentless two months, 'Lilies' did not return for further seasons, reports the Express. Yet, admiration for 'Lilies' continues to flourish amongst its fanbase, with numerous loyal viewers even rating it above the treasured ITV series 'Downtown Abbey', which has since expanded into a successful film series. TV fans have taken to IMDB to heap praise on Lilies, the period drama that's caught viewers' imaginations with its raw portrayal of post-WWI life. "I found this mini-series by accident, and what a delight. From beginning to end, I felt transported back in time. Throughout the series, you get a slice, perhaps, of a less sugar-coated time of transition after the First World War. This story unfolds through the eyes of three close but very different sisters and the surrounding family and friends." wrote one admirer of the show. Another avid watcher exclaimed: "I was totally drawn in from the first episode. The spirited Moss family, so much like my own family, was that believable? It was written from the reminisces of a grandmother of her family and that is probably why it rang so true. This is one of those shows that so deserved a much longer run that it is a travesty that it was not given one. What WAS made is a gem to be savoured for eight episodes." The series has even been held in higher regard than Downton Abbey by some, as evidenced by the following feedback: "The series did portray the division between Catholics and Northern Irish Protestants very well." They continued, discussing the religious tensions depicted: "Unless you grew up in that environment, it is hard to understand today that neither could enter a church of the other faith without condemning their immortal soul to hell forever more." Over on Rotten Tomatoes, another viewer gave kudos for the show being rooted in realism: "Well done, and a lot more grounded than some of the BBC's other costume pieces. It dealt with touchy topics in a realistic manner. Shame it was cancelled." Although currently out of reach on BBC iPlayer or Prime, Lilies can still be purchased on Amazon for viewers looking to immerse themselves into this highly regarded series.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What we know about the Call the Midwife film
Call the Midwife fans have got treat after treat lined up over the coming months - confirmation of a movie has been added to announcements on the new series, Christmas special and 1940s-set prequel. It's long been a much anticipated fixture in the BBC's TV schedules, and now viewers will be able to enjoy a feature-length tale that sets the familiar faces from Nonnatus House in an overseas location. Here's all we know so far – and what we don't yet know – about Call the Midwife the movie. Yes! The exciting news for all Call the Midwife fans is that there is definitely a film version in the works, after confirmation from the BBC in May 2025. An announcement from the BBC read: "In an exciting new development, the world of Nonnatus House will also be expanding. A prequel TV series set in Poplar during World War Two will be made for the BBC in 2026. In addition, Neal Street, in development with BBC Film, are producing a Call the Midwife film. This will be set overseas in 1972 and feature iconic characters from the existing TV show." As well as the news that the film version will be set in the 1970s and outside of the UK, we know that the show's creator Heidi Thomas is on board to make it, along with executive producers Pippa Harris and Ann Tricklebank. Just like the TV series, the film gets an all-female lead team to make it and Thomas hinted at the storyline, as well as the "top-secret" location. She said: "As the classic Call the Midwife series moves further into the 1970s, it also seems the perfect time for our much-loved regulars to take a short break from Poplar and test themselves in an unfamiliar landscape. "The rise in hospital births, and changes in the NHS, have clipped their wings, and this is their chance to take flight and work out what really matters. Whilst the location of the film remains top-secret, I can say it is going to look absolutely fantastic on the big screen." Harris added they were looking forward to rewarding loyal fans with a new story: "Not only have our loyal fans stayed with us for 14 years, but they've been joined by a new, younger generation who have also fallen in love with our characters and the challenges they face. Emboldened by this warmth and enthusiasm, now feels like the right time to expand our world and take our nuns and midwives onto the big screen with our movie, and back in time with the prequel!" Director of BBC Drama Lindsay Salt called it "an incredibly exciting time to be a Call the Midwife fan", while director of BBC Film Eva Yates said: "Call the Midwife has always brilliantly explored the issues and experiences of women across history and it is with great excitement that we are joining Pippa and Heidi in expanding the Midwife universe to bring these wonderful characters onto the big screen." As yet, no release date has been given for the film so it could be a while until fans can book their cinema tickets. Thomas is keeping details of the location tightly under wraps, and other than the suggestion that the midwives will use their trip abroad to reflect on their aims in life, not much else has been released about the storyline. We do know that some of the current cast will feature, but we're not yet sure who. Show stars set to return for series 16 in 2026 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, and Stephen McGann as Dr Turner. The new series also includes returning stars Linda Bassett as Nurse Crane, Annabelle Apsion as Violet Buckle, Georgie Glen as Miss Higgins, Zephryn Taitte as Cyril Robinson, Rebecca Gethings as Sister Veronica, Daniel Laurie as Reggie Jackson, Renee Bailey as Joyce Highland, Natalie Quarry as Rosalind Clifford, Molly Vevers as Sister Catherine, Max Macmillan as Timothy Turner, Alice Brown as Angela Turner, April Rae Hoang as May Tang and Edward Shaw as Teddy Turner. The Call the Midwife Christmas special has become traditional festive viewing in recent years, so of course it is set to take centre stage in the Christmas schedules later this year. Details of the two-part Christmas special have revealed a double location for the story - with the action set both at home in Poplar, and abroad in Hong Kong as some of the staff head out on a mercy mission. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Call the Midwife (@ As usual, the Christmas specials will move seamlessly on into a new full season, with series 16 currently filming and set to air in January 2026. There's also a prequel series with a new, younger cast on the way, which was announced by the BBC at the same time as the film. Showrunner 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."
BreakingNews.ie
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Call The Midwife film and Second World War prequel series announced
A Call The Midwife film and prequel TV series set during the Second World War are being made, the BBC has announced. It comes as the hit drama about a group of nurse midwives working in the East End of London begins filming for its 15th series. Advertisement The prequel series will be set in Poplar, east London, amid the backdrop of the Blitz, while the film will be set overseas in 1972 and feature characters from the existing TV show. Cast members of Call The Midwife attending the National Television Awards in 2017 (Matt Crossick/PA) The next series of Call The Midwife will kick off with a two-part Christmas special that sees senior members of the Nonnatus House staff head to Hong Kong on a mercy mission. The two-parter will be followed by eight new hour-long episodes, transmitting from January 2026 on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The series will kick off in 1971 with several of the ladies embracing the Women's Liberation Movement and burning their bras outside Nonnatus House. Advertisement Viewers will also see the team handle cases including premature birth, placenta previa, kidney cancer, tuberculosis and slavery. Regular cast members returning for the new series, which is now filming, include 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 and Stephen McGann as Dr Turner. The new projects will be written, created and produced by showrunner Heidi Thomas and executive producers Dame Pippa Harris and Ann Tricklebank, who also produces. The trio will also helm series 16 together. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 'There will be so much in the prequel for our wonderful, loyal fans, including the appearance of some familiar (if much younger) faces. 'As the classic Call The Midwife series moves further into the 1970s, it also seems the perfect time for our much-loved regulars to take a short break from Poplar and test themselves in an unfamiliar landscape. 'The rise in hospital births, and changes in the NHS, have clipped their wings, and this is their chance to take flight and work out what really matters. 'Whilst the location of the film remains top secret, I can say it is going to look absolutely fantastic on the big screen.' Advertisement Dame Pippa said: 'We have all been delighted by the way in which audiences have continued to embrace Heidi's imaginative and moving stories from Nonnatus House. 'In an increasingly competitive viewing environment, not only have our loyal fans stayed with us for 14 years, but they've been joined by a new, younger generation who have also fallen in love with our characters and the challenges they face. 'Emboldened by this warmth and enthusiasm, now feels like the right time to expand our world and take our nuns and midwives on to the big screen with our movie, and back in time with the prequel.' Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said: 'Call The Midwife has been a jewel in the BBC's crown for well over a decade, and this feels like the perfect time to further expand on the glorious, perfectly realised world that Heidi, Pippa, Annie and the team have created for the show's millions of passionate and dedicated viewers.' The first series of Call The Midwife was originally inspired by Jennifer Worth's books of the same name. The hit TV series won the best family drama gong for a 10th consecutive year at the TV Choice Awards earlier in the year. Further details about the prequel TV series and film will be released later this year.
Metro
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
BBC fans praise 'best news ever' as show confirms prequel after 13 years
TV fans have celebrated the 'amazing news' after one of the BBC's most beloved shows confirmed a new film and prequel spin-off series. The long-running drama Call the Midwife follows a group of nurse midwives working in London's East End, with the story spanning from the late 1950s to the start of the 1970s. Having first started airing 13 years ago in 2012, it's now been confirmed that the story will continue in a feature film, which will be set in 1972 in an unknown location, featuring familiar characters from the series. Meanwhile, the upcoming prequel series will also feature younger versions of fan-favourite midwives, and fans could barely contain their excitement. Explaining the new prequel series, the series writer and executive producer Heidi Thomas said: 'The Blitz years in the East End were extraordinary – 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.' Discussing the upcoming film, which is due to be shot in 2026, executive producer Dame Pippa Harris added: 'We have all been delighted by the way audiences have continued to embrace Heidi's imaginative and moving stories from Nonnatus House. 'Emboldened by this warmth and enthusiasm, now feels like the right time to expand our world and take our nuns and midwives onto the big screen with our movie, and back in time with the prequel!' Responding on Reddit, SherLovesCats said: 'Let's hope the prequel has more of the grit of the early seasons. I love the idea of the prequel. I hope they get the right people to play the nuns. This is the best news!' AndyKWHau wrote: 'My mum and dad are from Hong Kong and lived through this era so I'm super excited for this!' RainbowRevolver added: 'Amazing news. Been wanting a prequel series set during the war for ages.' Fellow user rem_1984 commented: 'Omg, that's amazing!! We always heard about the early years in Poplar before the NHS, I'm looking forward to seeing it now.' Call the Midwife has been airing for 13 years, having first premiered in 2012 So far, there have been 14 seasons, the latest of which concluded with its final episode on March 2 2025 Call the Midwife has already been renewed for a 15th series, which is due to air in 2026 Before that, this year's Christmas special will be released as usual And now of course, a film and prequel series are on the way too! The film will be set in 1972 in a currently undisclosed location The prequel spin-off series will depict the years of the Blitz in the East End, taking place before the 1950s setting of series one Meanwhile, on Instagram, Shellbeddall said: 'Oh my gosh…this is amazing ❤️❤️ I literally can not wait. 'Been a fan since day one…watching with my Nan on a Sunday evening and listening to her stories from her childhood and youth living in Poplar (she was a true East End girl)! I've just started to re-watch from the start.' Snipsindisguise remarked that the latest news 'goes to show that even after all these years people still want more Call the Midwife'. 'Who can blame them. To get a prequel and a film is amazing,' they shared. In addition to the film and prequel series, Call the Midwife will also be back later this year with its annual Christmas special, which will be set in Hong Kong and Poplar. More Trending An official Instagram post for the series stated: 'When senior members of the Nonnatus House staff head to Hong Kong on a mercy mission, the younger midwives are left to cope alone. 'As the Christmas action shifts between the sun-drenched Far East and a snowy East End, Sister Julienne finds herself excited about the Order's future.' The first series of the show was originally inspired by the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, who was a midwife and nurse in Poplar. View More » Call the Midwife is available to watch on BBC. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Race Across The World star 'close to tears' with ex over marriage breakdown MORE: Stacey Solomon 'doesn't think' she had sex with Joe Swash for whole year MORE: BBC presenter, 40, announces pregnancy live on air after 'emotional' fertility struggle
