ITV's medical period drama 'The Royal' is being hailed as an ideal replacement for 'Call the Midwife' by fans seeking a similar binge-worthy series. The show, which first premiered in 2003, is available to stream for free on ITVX.
A Spin-Off with Its Own Identity
Originally a spin-off of the popular ITV medical drama 'Heartbeat', 'The Royal' quickly established its own identity. By its fourth season, the series removed crossover elements and characters from 'Heartbeat' to focus on original storylines. The show ran for eight seasons, comprising 87 episodes, until its cancellation in 2011.
Setting and Cast
Set in the 1960s, 'The Royal' follows the lives of staff and patients at the fictional St Aidan's Royal Free Hospital, an NHS hospital serving the rural seaside town of Elsinby. The ensemble cast includes Ian Carmichael, Wendy Craig, Julian Ovenden, Robert Daws, Zoie Kennedy, Amy Robbins, and Linda Armstrong. Outdoor scenes were filmed in North Yorkshire, including Scarborough and Whitby, while interior hospital scenes were shot at St Luke's Hospital in Bradford and The Leeds Studios.
Critical Acclaim and Fan Praise
Fans have praised the series for its authenticity and emotional depth. One IMDB user review stated: 'Recreation of medical past, this show is amazingly good. The songs from the 60's are tastefully interwoven throughout. The acting is natural and gripping.' Another viewer wrote: 'This show exemplifies the quality of British television. The writing, dialogue and character development is on point.' A third fan labeled it 'outstanding', noting: 'The action was outstanding each minute of each episode, the blood looked real, loved the coastal scenery, and the acting top notch.'
Comparison to Call the Midwife
One IMDB user directly compared it to 'Call the Midwife', saying: 'Watched this on BritBox through Amazon and was hooked immediately. I was really into Call the Midwife... This show was very quaint and had a real air of enjoying itself.' The series also spawned a daytime spin-off in 2007 called 'The Royal Today', which was set in the present day with a new cast but was cancelled after one season.
Where to Watch
'The Royal' is available to stream for free on ITVX, offering fans of period medical dramas a nostalgic journey back to the 1960s.
