Jenny Agutter, the esteemed actress behind Call the Midwife's Sister Julienne, has revealed that the beloved BBC period drama is set for a significantly darker and more perilous fifteenth series.
A Shift Away from Cosy Comfort
Speaking at a launch event for the new season, Agutter addressed the tone of the recent two-part Christmas special, set in Hong Kong, which aired on December 25 and 26, 2025. She agreed with assessments that it lacked the traditional festive warmth of earlier episodes, suggesting this shift is indicative of the series as a whole.
"The whole of the series is no longer cosy," the 73-year-old actress stated. She drew a parallel with contemporary anxieties, explaining, "One's feeling in many ways, not unlike we are today, with the changes that are happening. One looks towards a future that hopefully will be better, but it feels a little dangerous."
Nonnatus House Faces an Existential Threat
The central drama of the new series will revolve around the very survival of Nonnatus House and its mission. Agutter, who recently lost her husband Johan Tham, detailed the mounting pressure from local authorities for the nuns to integrate fully with the NHS and council systems.
A key point of conflict is a demand that the sisters swap their traditional habits for standard uniforms. "Well, that's fine in itself," Agutter noted, "but it's actually a bigger question." For Sister Julienne, the habit symbolises a divine calling to serve the East End community, a higher authority than the council.
"It's a matter of knowing what one's role is and what they're meant to be doing and feeling that one's no longer wanted," she elaborated. The potential closure of Nonnatus House would mean the loss of vital community services, creating a profound dilemma for its residents.
When and Where to Watch
The much-anticipated 15th season of Call the Midwife is scheduled to premiere on BBC One on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Fans eager to catch up can stream all previous series, along with the 2025 Christmas special, on BBC iPlayer.
Agutter offered a sliver of hope amidst the looming challenges, praising the show's core theme of community. "What makes it easier is this community that are actually cohesive and are actually supporting one another, which we look to and hope to have," she said. "But yes, it's not a cosy watch."
