Call the Midwife
Call the Midwife
Now Showing

Call the Midwife

"In 1950's London, they delivered hope for all."

7.5
Yr 2012
Rt 52m
Status Returning Series
Drama
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Series Brief

Overview

Drama following the lives of a group of midwives working in the poverty-stricken East End of London during the 1950s, based on the best-selling memoirs of Jennifer Worth.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 86 /100

Call the Midwife received warm critical acclaim upon release, widely praised as a stirring and engaging period drama that balances comforting warmth with historical realism. Critics noted that while the series can be formulaic, it maintains enough emotional weight and grit to balance out its sweeter tendencies, making for ideal comfort viewing.

Performances across the ensemble cast were heavily commended, particularly the strong dynamics among the young midwives and veteran nuns navigating post-war hardship. Media analysts and healthcare observers also lauded the series for providing an informative and realistic depiction of the era, showcasing positive role models and exceptional portrayals of nursing autonomy.

“There's just enough grit to balance out the sugar.”

“formulaic but undeniably watchable—reliable Sunday evening comfort television”

“the show probably has the best overall portrayal of nursing autonomy of any major health-related series”

“Stands out for positive messages and positive role models”

Why fans love it

Premiering in 2012, this 1950s period drama balances the stark reality of healthcare in London's poverty-stricken East End with an inherently comforting spirit. Adapted from the factual memoirs of Jennifer Worth, the series focuses on a dedicated group of nurses and midwives tackling the everyday challenges of hospital duty, home visits, and maternity care in a struggling neighborhood.

What keeps audiences returning is the show's remarkably consistent bittersweet tone. It approaches difficult medical cases and severe social hardship with quiet grace, offering a portrait of community resilience that feels grounded rather than sentimental. Supported by an ensemble cast that includes Vanessa Redgrave, the drama delivers an authentic look at the mid-century nursing profession, finding light and humanity in the unlikeliest places.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 11
Longest run 117 eps
Vanessa Redgrave
Vanessa Redgrave
as Jennifer Worth (voice)
117 episodes
Helen George
Helen George
as Trixie Franklin
117 episodes
Jessica Raine
Jessica Raine
as Jenny Lee
22 episodes
Jenny Agutter
Jenny Agutter
as Sister Julienne
117 episodes
Judy Parfitt
Judy Parfitt
as Sister Monica Joan
117 episodes
Jennifer Kirby
Jennifer Kirby
as Nurse Valerie Dyer
32 episodes
Linda Bassett
Linda Bassett
as Phyllis Crane
79 episodes
Leonie Elliott
Leonie Elliott
as Nurse Lucille Anderson
41 episodes
Show 67 more
Pam Ferris as Sister Evangelina 38 episodes Alice Brown as Angela Turner 69 episodes April Rae Hoang as May Tang 40 episodes Laura Main as Shelagh 'Sister Bernadette' Turner 101 episodes Ella Bruccoleri as Sister Frances 31 episodes Cliff Parisi as Fred Burkle 117 episodes Fenella Woolgar as Sister Hilda 31 episodes Bryony Hannah as Cynthia Miller 42 episodes Oliver Rix as Matthew Aylward 30 episodes Georgie Glen as Millicent Higgins 47 episodes Miranda Hart as Chummy Noakes 24 episodes Victoria Yeates as Sister Winifred 48 episodes Max Macmillan as Timothy Turner 63 episodes Kate Lamb as Delia Busby 20 episodes Jack Ashton as Tom Hereward 33 episodes Stephen McGann as Patrick Turner 117 episodes Edward Shaw as Teddy Turner 23 episodes Linda Hargreaves as Mrs. Wallace 17 episodes Francesca Fullilove as Colette Corrigan 20 episodes Rebecca Gethings as Sister Veronica 16 episodes Renee Bailey as Pupil Midwife Joyce Highland 8 episodes Natalie Quarry as Pupil Midwife Rosalind Clifford 8 episodes Grace Doherty as Alison Casey 8 episodes Annabelle Apsion as Violet Buckle 69 episodes Emerald Fennell as Patsy Mount 33 episodes Zephryn Taitte as Cyril Robinson 38 episodes Megan Cusack as Nurse Nancy Corrigan 28 episodes Ben Caplan as PC Peter Noakes 27 episodes Trevor Cooper as Sergeant Woolf 13 episodes Jo Herbert as Fiona Aylward 2 episodes Richard Dillane as Mr. Scarisbrick 2 episodes Kathryn Wilder as Audrey Fleming 2 episodes Jack Colgrave Hirst as Derek Fleming 2 episodes Harriet Walter as Sister Ursula 3 episodes George Rainsford as Jimmy 7 episodes Amanda Daniels as Edith Mills 2 episodes Sophie Cosson as Ingrid Mason 2 episodes Amy McAllister as Mary 2 episodes Jake Bailey as Jack Smith 5 episodes Charlotte Ritchie as Barbara Gilbert 11 episodes Elizabeth Rider as Peggy 2 episodes Cheryl Campbell as Lady Browne 3 episodes Cassandra Compton as Francine Spencer 2 episodes Dorothy Atkinson as Jane Sutton 6 episodes Leo Staar as Alec Jesmond 4 episodes Colin Young as Jacob Milligan 2 episodes Elsie Marquez as Sheryl Torpy 2 episodes Nicky Goldie as Aunt Flo 6 episodes Nina De Cosimo as Lizzie 2 episodes Sherry Baines as Mrs. Litchcroft 2 episodes Liam Kiff as Freddie Noakes 2 episodes Kate Copeland as Miss Dawkins 3 episodes Maxine Evans as Mrs. Busby 3 episodes Daniel Laurie as Reggie Jackson 22 episodes Miriam Margolyes as Mother Mildred 4 episodes Gerrard McArthur as Mr. Kenley 5 episodes Liz White as Rhoda Mullucks 3 episodes Archie O'Callaghan as Jonty Aylward 5 episodes Jack Hawkins as Christopher Dockerill 9 episodes Tipper Seifert-Cleveland as Alexandra Dockerill 4 episodes Ann Mitchell as Elsie Dyer 5 episodes Emilia Williams as Miss Graham 4 episodes Scarlett Courtney as Pupil Midwife Janice Cowan 3 episodes Rebecca Tebbett as Pupil Midwife Alison Hopkiss 3 episodes Karene Peter as Pupil Midwife Georgette Bains 3 episodes Rachel Nicholson as Pupil Midwife Kathy Downes 3 episodes Shamia Pills as Pupil Midwife Norelle Morris 3 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Call the Midwife overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

london, england nurse nun based on novel or book midwife hospital doctor period drama historical nostalgic nursing social issues 1950s medical drama thoughtful medical clinic maternity loving convent clinical bittersweet factual sentimental comforting empathetic sympathetic
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
January 15, 2012
Status
Returning Series
Episode Runtime
52 minutes
Origin
GB
TMDB Votes
257