The BBC has confirmed that this year's Call the Midwife Christmas special will be a prequel spin-off, titled Call The Midwife: Sisters In Arms, and fans are already expressing mixed feelings about the departure from the beloved original series.
The emotional finale of the last series saw Sister Monica Joan pass away after deciding to stop taking her medication, leaving viewers in tears. Now, the character is set to return to screens in her younger years, as the prequel chronicles the early days of Nonnatus House.
Set in 1939 During the Outbreak of War
The special is set in Poplar in September 1939, at the outbreak of the Second World War. New pictures released by the BBC show actresses Julie Hesmondhalgh, best known for playing Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, Helena Wilson, Ellie McKay, Liv Andrusier, and Lizzie Back in their uniforms as they take part in the series for the first time.
Julie Hesmondhalgh, who hails from Accrington, Lancs, joins the cast as Sister Alice. Helena Wilson, known for her work with the National Theatre, portrays a younger Sister Julienne, while Emmy-winning actress Jenny Agutter, who stars in the original series as Sister Julienne, will narrate the special episodes as the older version of her character.
Writer Heidi Thomas on the New Special
Heidi Thomas, writer and showrunner, said: "Call The Midwife has a long and noble history of filming Christmas specials during heatwaves, and this year we welcomed the snow-machine back to the Nonnatus House set like an old friend."
"But I was surprised how many new emotions Call The Midwife: Sisters In Arms sparked. In particular, the evacuation of Poplar’s children, and the fear that they may not make it home for Christmas had us all in tears."
She hailed the new show as "a joy to write", adding: "Having loved and lived with the sisters of Nonnatus House for so many years, I found myself longing to turn the clock back and tell the story of their finest hour – the Blitz."
Synopsis Reveals War-Time Drama
A synopsis from the BBC reads: "Sister Monica Joan is in her prime, Sister Julienne and Sister Evangelina are young and zealous, and Nonnatus House is the beating heart of Poplar.
"Together with Sister Alice, and local GP Dr Kit, the nuns dedicate their lives to mothers, babies and those in need. But there is no gas and air, no penicillin, no cure for TB, and no welfare state. Then war is declared – and life gets even harder. The three young secular midwives who complete the team – Sybil, Olive and Marianne – receive a baptism of fire as the blackout and the Blitz take hold."
"While bombs rain from the sky, women give birth underground, families are shattered, children run wild, and whole streets are reduced to rubble. But courage, compassion and resilience triumph as the community unites in its efforts to survive."
Fans Divided Over the Spin-Off
An exact broadcast date has yet to be announced, but the special will be aired during the festive period. The spin-off will be helmed by the Call The Midwife creative team, including showrunner, creator and writer Heidi Thomas.
Fans of the beloved series appear divided over the Christmas special, with some expressing reservations. One viewer penned: "New cast, but I do have mixed feelings" as another added: "I'll definitely give it a go, just not sure if I will enjoy it as much as the original! But, can't say until I have watched it all".
Another fan agreed: "Yep! Will be interesting to see, keeping my fingers crossed that it has the same charm and thought added into it for that Christmas magic."
However, others are already looking forward to it, as a viewer wrote: "Aww I cannot wait for this to air i do so miss Call the Midwife", as another simply stated: "This will be brilliant".
