One Born Every Minute, the award-winning Channel 4 documentary series, is set to return after an eight-year break, moving to E4 for its new season. The show originally aired for 11 seasons between 2010 and 2018, offering an intimate, fly-on-the-wall perspective of a maternity ward. It captured over 250 births and attracted up to 5 million UK viewers per episode at its peak. The series won Best Factual Series at the 2010 BAFTAs and inspired multiple international adaptations.
Filming Begins at Manchester's Saint Mary's Hospital
Production for the new series is officially underway, with filming taking place at Manchester's Saint Mary's Hospital. An anonymous midwife who appeared on the show shared her experience of adapting to the cameras. She told Channel 4: "Having the cameras on labour ward moving around the room like a robotic friend, having a microphone attached to you and lots of people running around very enthusiastically with clipboards took quite a bit of getting used to."
The midwife admitted she was initially worried about saying something silly on camera. "I was worried that if I was filmed, I would end up saying something silly or making a fool of myself; don't get me wrong, I did say some silly things, but that's not too out of the ordinary," she said.
Cameras Become Invisible During Labour
Despite her initial self-consciousness, the midwife soon forgot about the cameras. "Although I was initially very aware of the cameras, suddenly I didn't even notice them following me around the room and tracking my every move," she explained. "My main concern was caring for the woman that I have looked after for the last seven months, and that I get to meet her newborn baby. Midwives always have a preference, and for me, it's labour! She did so well, and I was so proud of her."
The show's raw depiction of labour and delivery resonated with audiences worldwide. The midwife reflected on the lasting recognition the series brought: "It is funny how many people still say, 'Were you on One Born Every Minute?' I recently got a message from a friend who now lives in Australia who saw me on TV there, which was a memorable moment, it's a small world!"
E4 Commissioning Editor on the Show's Return
Vivienne Molokwu, Senior Commissioning Editor of Reality & Entertainment and Commissioning Lead for E4, expressed excitement about the revival. "Nearly 10 years on, we feel very privileged to once again follow the journey that parents embark on as they welcome their babies to the world," she said. "We know the roller coaster of emotions that this period brings is something that will really resonate with the E4 audience, and we cannot wait for our viewers to see how the digital age has reshaped how families navigate this stage of life."
