Devoted fans of the beloved BBC period drama Call the Midwife have been left utterly astounded by a new glimpse of the show's young stars. The surprise came in the form of a behind-the-scenes photo shared by the series, revealing just how much the Turner children have grown ahead of the show's highly anticipated return.
A Festive Return and a Glimpse of the Future
The official Call the Midwife Instagram account confirmed exciting news for its audience. The show will make a festive comeback with two Christmas specials, scheduled to air on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. This will be followed by the full series 15 in 2026.
In a charming snapshot posted on Thursday, November 20, the young actors taking a break from filming were featured. The photo shows April Rae Hoang (May), Alice Brown (Angela), and Ned Shaw (Teddy Turner) looking noticeably more mature since their last appearance in series 14.
Teddy Turner, played by Ned Shaw, sports longer hair and cheekily grins at the camera while giving a thumbs-up. His on-screen sisters, Angela and May, sit beside him on the bottom of a wooden staircase, beaming as they balance a colouring book on their laps. The sisters are dressed in matching outfits, adding to the photo's charm.
Fan Reaction to the Growing Cast
The show's caption for the image read, "Turner kids all ready to shoot their final scenes on Series 15. Next stop...CHRISTMAS! Call the Midwife will return with a new Christmas Special and Series 15 in 2026 xx."
Viewers were quick to flood the comments with their surprise and delight at the children's development. One fan exclaimed, "Growing up fast and doing great work in CTM", while another shared, "It's been such a joy watching these 3 grow up on screen." The sentiment was echoed by many, with one emotional follower writing, "So grown up" accompanied by a crying emoji.
Who Are the Turner Children?
For those unfamiliar with the family dynamics in Poplar, the Turner household is a central part of the show. Dr. Patrick Turner, portrayed by Stephen McGann, is the family's patriarch. His family includes:
- Timothy Turner (Max Macmillan), who first appeared in the 2012 Christmas Special.
- Angela, adopted by Dr. Turner and his wife Shelagh (Laura Main) in the third series.
- Edward 'Teddy' Turner, the couple's biological son, born in series six.
- May, who was fostered and later adopted by the family in series eight.
The family now lives happily together in Poplar, representing a heartwarming core of the long-running drama.
What's Next for Call the Midwife?
Filming for the 2025 Christmas special has officially wrapped. The special is set to take viewers from Hong Kong to Poplar, continuing the success of the previous year's two-part festive event.
Looking further ahead, the upcoming eighth-episode season of Call the Midwife is slated for a January 2026 premiere, though a specific broadcast date remains under wraps. In even more exciting news for fans, the franchise has announced plans for a new film set in 1972, as well as a prequel series that will transport audiences back to Poplar during World War II.
Call the Midwife returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Christmas Day.
