Latest news with #JudyParfitt
Business Upturn
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Call the Midwife Season 15: Release date speculation, cast and plot details – Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on May 19, 2025, 17:30 IST Last updated May 19, 2025, 11:35 IST Call the Midwife , the beloved British period drama, continues to captivate audiences with its heartfelt storytelling and historical charm. With Season 14 already making waves, fans are eagerly awaiting news about Call the Midwife Season 15. From release date speculation to cast updates and plot details, here's everything we know so far about the upcoming season. Call the Midwife Season 15 Release Date Speculation While an official release date for Call the Midwife Season 15 has not been confirmed, speculation points to an early 2026 premiere. Historically, new seasons of the show debut in the UK on BBC One around January, following a two-part Christmas special in December. Sources suggest that Season 15, consisting of eight episodes, is likely to follow this pattern, with a potential UK air date in January 2026. For US viewers, PBS typically airs new episodes a few months later, with a spring 2026 release expected. Call the Midwife Season 15 Expected Cast The core cast of Call the Midwife is expected to return for Season 15, bringing back the familiar faces of Nonnatus House. Returning actors include: Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne Laura Main as Shelagh Turner Stephen McGann as Dr. Patrick Turner Helen George as Trixie Aylward Cliff Parisi as Fred Buckle Annabelle Apsion as Violet Buckle Call the Midwife Season 15 Potential Plot Details Call the Midwife Season 15 will continue to explore the lives of nurse midwives in London's East End, set in the early 1970s. The show is known for blending personal dramas with historical events, tackling social issues like healthcare, poverty, and women's rights. While specific plot details remain under wraps, the upcoming season is expected to pick up after the events of the 2025 Christmas special, which will likely set the tone for new storylines. Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
ABC News
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Call The Midwife: Series 13 Episode 1
Skip to main content Period Drama British Relationships It's 1969. More babies than ever are being born in hospital and pressure on maternity beds is high. But Poplar is coping well due to the popularity of home births under the auspices of the Sisters. New series starts Sunday 10 May at 7:30pm on ABC iview and ABC TV. Jenny Agutter, Judy Parfitt, Helen George, Laura Main, Stephen McGann, Cliff Parisi, Linda Bassett, Annabelle Apsion, Daniel Laurie, Georgie Glen, Zephryn Taitte, Rebecca Gethings
The Herald Scotland
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Call The Midwife film and Second World War prequel series announced
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. 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. 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. '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.' 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.
RTÉ News
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
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. 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. 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. 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 Pippa Harris and Ann Tricklebank, who also produces. The trio will also helm series 16 together. 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. "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." Pippa Harris 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.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Call the Midwife viewers left concerned as popular show star ‘disappears' from set – after new series is confirmed
CALL the Midwife fans have been left scratching their heads after a familiar face was noticeably missing from the first look pictures at the new series. Fans of the BBC drama fear the beloved character has quietly quit the show just as a brand new series is confirmed. 6 6 Call the Midwife will be back to warm our hearts this Christmas - with a festive special confirmed before the beloved drama returns for its 15th series in 2026. The show's official Instagram page dropped a behind-the-scenes snap from the yuletide episode, showing fan favourites Helen George, Laura Main, Stephen McGann and Linda Bassett all smiles in snowy Nonnatus House scenes. The caption read: "NEWS! ! ! Call the Midwife Cast Begins Filming For Series 15! It's official - our team are back in Poplar! !" "We are delighted to announce the commencement of filming for our fifteenth series of Call the Midwife – and this year our traditional first-scene clapperboard shot is something a bit special, with a fine group of cast members present for the start of Christmas Special recording! 🎅🎄 "Oh, and of course, filming Christmas means… another heatwave in the UK!! Once more, our long-suffering team are laying down snow whilst wearing sunglasses ❄️ 😎 "And our cast can look sweaty-chic in those five layers of winter clothing…. 😆 "The mood is FANTASTIC on set, however, as our team are about to film an INCREDIBLE new Christmas story! "There is just so much to tell about this year's festive drama… but all we can say right now is that there are distant troubles, wild celebrations, new beginnings, sad reunions… and a few sore heads! "We just can't WAIT to show you this one… xx Call the Midwife returns with a new Christmas Special, and Series 15 in 2026 xx" Fans of the period drama were quick to share their excitement over the show's return. Call the Midwife Location Tour in Chatham But eagle-eyed viewers couldn't help noticing one familiar face missing. Judy Parfitt, who plays the iconic Sister Monica Joan, was nowhere to be seen in the festive snap, sparking fears she may have quietly bowed out of the show. Taking to the comment section, one user wrote: "Where is Sister Monica Joan?" Another added: "That's what I'm worried about." Call The Midwife: A breakdown Call The Midwife first came onto the airwaves in 2012 and has been seen by millions. But what is it about? Series one: Set in early 1957 and it explored the 'Baby Boom generation, which included themes of poverty and post-war immigration. Series two: Set in 1958 and it showed gas and air being introduced for pain relief for the first time. It ended with the Nonnatus House building being condemned. Series three: Set in 1959 and it depicted gruesome conditions such as cystic fibrosis, polio and it showed the midwives in the context on prisons. Series four: Set in 1960 under the threat of nuclear warfare and the emergency response guidelines issued by the local Civil Defence Corp. Other themes included LGBT rights, and syphilis. Series five: Set in 1961 and it shows the care of patients with conditions such as Typhoid and strokes. We also saw the effects of thalidomide, the introduction of the contraceptive pill. Series six: Set in 1962 and domestic violence was at the centre of the season. Other themes included FGM (female genital mutilation), mental health issues and interracial marriage. It was also notable for the introduction of Reggie, a recurring character with Down Syndrome. Series seven: Set in 1963 and we see Nurse Lucille Anderson for the first time. We also see the show address conditions such as dementia, huntington's disease, leprosy and meningitis Series eight: Set in 1964 and it bravely covered the issue of abortion, which was not legal for another three years in 1967. Sickle cell disease, cleft lip, cleft palate and intersex people also featured. Series nine: Diptheria was at the centre of the ninth instalment in 1965, and it was notable for featuring a blind expectant mother. But the role of Nonnatus House within the community also came into question. Series ten: Set in 1966, Nonnatus House has a rival in the form of the private Lady Emily Clinic in Mayfair. PKU, diabetes and the controversy surrounding abortion were central themes. Series eleven: Set in 1967 amid the housing crisis and a scabies epidemic. The show was rocked by a train crash right next to Nonnatus House. A third penned: "WHERE IS SISTER MONICA JOAN? ? ? ? ? ? DONT SCARE ME LIKE THIS" The 89-year-old actress has been on the show since it launched in 2012. She made her film debut in the 1950s, followed by a supporting role in the BBC television serial David Copperfield. Judy also appeared as Queen Gertrude in Tony Richardson's 1969 film adaptation of Hamlet. Judy found love with her husband, the late actor Tony Steedman, after the pair worked together on a stage play at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre back in 1960. Bonded by their shared passion for the craft, Judy and Tony built impressive careers on both sides of the Atlantic - from the West End to Hollywood blockbusters. Tony he landed roles in War & Peace (1972-1973), The Thirty Nine Steps (1978) and Scrooged (1988). Among his best known roles, Tony starred alongside Keanu Reeves as Socrates in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1988), and he also portrayed Jasper DeKimmel in Golden Girls. Tony sadly passed away after being diagnosed with vascular dementia. Having lovingly cared for him throughout his illness, Judy became a vocal advocate for dementia awareness - even using her beloved Call The Midwife character to highlight the struggles faced by those living with the condition. Sister Monica was suffering from dementia in the series, and she previously said: "Having watched my husband, the actor Tony Steedman, succumb to this terrible disease over ten years, depicting Sister Monica Joan's condition is still an extremely important aspect of the role to me." Call The Midwife is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. 6 6 6 6
