Call the Midwife (2012)
A landmark British drama series set in 1950s East End London, following dedicated midwives whose work illuminates the era's social struggles with warmth and unflinching honesty.
Call the Midwife - Series Information
- Original Title: Call the Midwife
- First Air Year: 2012
- Last Air Year: 2026
- Created by: Heidi Thomas
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (52 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 15
- Number of Episodes: 113
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: January 15, 2012 (United States - TV-MA), January 15, 2012 (Canada - PG), January 15, 2012 (United Kingdom - 12), January 15, 2012 (Germany - 12), January 15, 2012 (France - 18), January 15, 2012 (Australia - M), January 15, 2012 (Brazil - 12), January 15, 2012 (Mexico - AA), January 15, 2012 (Spain - 18), January 15, 2012 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: BBC One
- Alternative Titles: SOS sages-femmes (BE), Call the Midwife: Ruf des Lebens (DE), SOS Sages Femmes (CA), Call the Midwife : Les héroïnes de l'ombre (FR), Вызовите акушерку (RU), Επειγόντως τη μαμή (GR)
- Production Companies: BBC, Neal Street Productions
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Call the Midwife - Plot
Drama following the lives of a group of midwives working in the poverty-stricken East End of London during the 1950s, based on the best-selling memoirs of Jennifer Worth.
Call the Midwife - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the world of 1950s East End London come to life:
In 1950's London, they delivered hope for all.
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Call the Midwife - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Heidi Thomas
Main Cast
- Vanessa Redgrave
- Helen George
- Jenny Agutter
- Judy Parfitt
- Cliff Parisi
- Stephen McGann
- Laura Main
- Linda Bassett
- Alice Brown
- Annabelle Apsion
Writers
- Heidi Thomas
- Jonathan Harvey
- Nicola Wilson
- Sally Abbott
- Andrea Gibb
Executive Producers
- Pippa Harris
- Heidi Thomas
- Ann Tricklebank
Call the Midwife - FAQs
Where can you watch Call the Midwife online?
Call the Midwife is available to stream on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads in the United States. It is also accessible via Thirteen, WETA+, and KQED with ads, free on Hoopla, and available to purchase on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Is Call the Midwife based on a true story?
Yes. Call the Midwife is based on the bestselling memoirs of Jennifer Worth, a nurse and midwife who worked in the impoverished East End of London during the 1950s. Her books — Call the Midwife, Shadows of the Workhouse, and Farewell to the East End — form the basis of the series.
How many seasons does Call the Midwife have?
Call the Midwife has 15 seasons, comprising 113 episodes in total, plus a collection of Christmas specials grouped under Season 0. The series premiered in January 2012 on BBC One and continues to air as a returning series, with Season 15 scheduled through 2026.
Who are the main actors in Call the Midwife?
The principal cast includes Vanessa Redgrave as narrator Jennifer Worth, Helen George as Trixie Franklin, Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne, Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan, Stephen McGann as Dr. Patrick Turner, Laura Main as Shelagh Turner, Cliff Parisi as Fred Burkle, and Linda Bassett as Phyllis Crane.
Will there be a Season 16 of Call the Midwife?
As of 2025, Call the Midwife has been confirmed as a returning series currently in production, with Season 15 set to air in 2026. BBC One has consistently renewed the show well in advance, and creator Heidi Thomas has expressed commitment to continuing the story beyond Season 15.
What is Call the Midwife about?
Call the Midwife follows a group of nurse-midwives working in the poverty-stricken East End of London during the 1950s. The series blends intimate birth stories with broader social issues of the era — including poverty, inequality, and public health — drawing critical praise for its emotional depth and historical authenticity.
Did Call the Midwife win any awards?
Yes. Call the Midwife has received multiple BAFTA nominations and wins over its run, including recognition for its writing and performances. It has also won National Television Awards in the UK and earned widespread critical acclaim for its portrayal of postwar British social history and its compassionate storytelling.
What is the content rating for Call the Midwife?
Call the Midwife is rated TV-PG in the United States, making it suitable for most general audiences with parental guidance suggested for younger viewers. The series deals with childbirth, medical situations, and period social issues, but does so with sensitivity rather than graphic depiction.
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