Call the Midwife Ventures to Hong Kong in Ambitious Two-Part Christmas Special, Teasing Transformative Series 15

The beloved BBC period drama Call the Midwife returns this festive season with its most expansive Christmas special yet: a two-part event splitting the action between the snowy streets of London’s East End in Poplar and the humid, bustling tropics of Hong Kong. Airing on Christmas Day at 8:15pm and Boxing Day at 8:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer, the specials bridge the gap to Series 15, which launches with eight new episodes in January 2026.

Created by Heidi Thomas and inspired by Jennifer Worth’s memoirs of working with the Anglican Community of St John the Divine, the series—now set in 1970—continues to blend heartfelt midwifery stories with historical social issues. This year’s holiday offering marks a bold departure, showcasing the Nonnatus House team’s global reach through a humanitarian mission.

bbc.co.uk

BBC One – Call the Midwife, Christmas Specials 2025, Episode 1

The story begins with Fred Buckle (Cliff Parisi) and Violet (Annabelle Apsion) traveling to Hong Kong to visit Violet’s son Derek, a police officer there. Upon arrival, they discover tragedy: the Order’s branch house in Kowloon has collapsed due to unstable ground, resulting in fatalities and leaving orphans and mothers homeless. This prompts an urgent response from Nonnatus House, with senior members—including Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter), Sister Hilda (Fenella Woolgar), Nurse Crane (Linda Bassett), Shelagh Turner (Laura Main), and Dr. Patrick Turner (Stephen McGann)—heading overseas to assist.

Meanwhile, back in wintry Poplar, the junior midwives—led by Trixie Aylward (Helen George), Rosalind Clifford (Natalie Quarry), and Joyce Highland (Renee Bailey)—step up to manage deliveries and community crises independently. Subplots include Dr. Turner and Shelagh searching for adopted daughter May’s birth mother, Sister Catherine (Molly Vevers) investigating a past case, and Rosalind and Joyce hosting a festive gathering.

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Call The Midwife cast talk Christmas in Poplar with tear-jerking moments and uplifting festive cheer

Jenny Agutter, portraying the steadfast Sister Julienne, has teased a profound character arc. After years of resisting change amid the Order’s evolving role, Julienne finds unexpected renewal in Hong Kong. “She discovers herself surprisingly revitalised about the Order’s prospects,” Agutter shared in recent interviews. “She starts to welcome transformation, deciding to collaborate with change and witness what compassion can achieve.” This shift sets up major developments for Series 15, where themes of women’s liberation and societal progress take center stage in 1971.

The specials embrace cultural diversity, weaving in celebrations of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Chinese traditions—a “melting pot of communities,” as described by the production team. Dramatic tension escalates in the second part, with Sister Julienne and Sister Hilda confronting a gangster over new premises for the mission.

Filming proved challenging: cast members endured sweltering summer heat in Hong Kong (standing in for winter), and even a typhoon disrupted shoots, forcing the team indoors at times.

tvinsider.com

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The full ensemble returns, including Judy Parfitt as the eccentric Sister Monica Joan, Rebecca Gethings as Sister Veronica, and Zephryn Taitte as Cyril Robinson. New faces add depth to the Hong Kong storyline, reflecting the era’s colonial and multicultural backdrop.

Series 15, picking up in 1971, promises eight hour-long episodes tackling premature births, serious illnesses, and broader issues like women’s rights protests outside Nonnatus House. With the show renewed through future seasons, a WWII prequel in development, and even a feature film planned for 1972, Call the Midwife‘s world continues to expand.

Creator Heidi Thomas calls the dual-location special “uncharted waters,” highlighting fresh dynamics in Poplar without the seniors. “It’s unlike anything you’ve seen before,” echoes Laura Main.

entertainmentdaily.com

Call the Midwife stars warned not to ‘venture outside’ while filming Christmas specials in Hong Kong – Entertainment Daily

As Nonnatus House navigates disaster and distance, the specials deliver classic Call the Midwife emotion: heartbreak, humor, and hope. In an era of rapid change, the series reminds us of compassion’s enduring power—whether in foggy London or far-flung Hong Kong.

Don’t miss this festive double bill; it’s poised to be one of the most memorable yet.

entertainmentdaily.com

Call the Midwife stars warned not to ‘venture outside’ while filming Christmas specials in Hong Kong – Entertainment Daily