Latest news with #PippaHarris
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
Wales Online
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Call the Midwife fans lose it as show bosses make another huge announcement
Call the Midwife fans lose it as show bosses make another huge announcement BBC's hit show Call the Midwife has left fans ecstatic following an update on new projects currently in the pipeline Call the Midwife fans have shared their excitement online after the announcement of a brand new film. Filming is officially underway for a two-part Christmas special set to air in 2025, along with the show's 15th season, which will debut in 2026. But that's not all—two new spin-off projects are also in the pipeline. First, a prequel series is in the works, taking viewers back to Poplar during World War II. This new show is being made for the BBC and is scheduled to premiere next year. The second project is a Call the Midwife feature film, currently in development. It will take place abroad in 1972 and bring back some of the beloved characters from the original series. Fans of Call the Midwife are in for a treat (Image: PA ) The new additions are being crafted by the show's creator, Heidi Thomas, alongside executive producers Pippa Harris and Ann Tricklebank. Plus, work is already beginning on season 16 of the main series. Article continues below In a statement, Heidi 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 show will return with a spin-off and a film (Image: BBC ) The creator promised some huge surprises as she continued: "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!" The BBC show creator explains that there is plenty of scope (Image: BBC / Neal Street Productions / Andrea southam ) After hearing that the Call the Midwife film is currently in production, fans shared their enthusiasm online. Taking to X, one social media user said: "Just the best news ever!! I am so happy xx." Article continues below Another said: "Oh wow, can't wait to see it…" While a third penned: "A Call The Midwife film AND prequel series. Pass me my wimple and one geared bike - I am ready!!" Call the Midwife is available to watch on BBC iPlayer
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.
