Last Updated on December 29, 2020

“Call the Midwife,” one of PBS’s most beloved and popular dramas, returns for a spectacular 90-minute holiday special this December, and is available to stream for free into January.

Call the Midwife Holiday Special, Courtesy of BBC Worldwide Limited


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Season 10 continues the powerful stories of the nurses, midwives, and nuns from Nonnatus House in post-World War II London. 





“Call the Midwife” returns to PBS on Christmas day with its 2020 Holiday Special, where everyone at Nonnatus House is looking forward to a traditional holiday.

Call the Midwife Holiday Special, Courtesy of BBC Worldwide Limited

It’s December 1965 and top of everyone’s wish list is a classic Christmas celebration with all the trimmings, but nothing goes quite to plan.

Sister Monica Joan is rushed to hospital, and Trixie is incensed to receive a subscription to a Marriage Bureau as a Christmas gift.

Meanwhile, a surprise reunion for Shelagh involves her in a deeply moving birth, and the Circus arrives in Poplar, bringing new friendships, new experiences, and an exciting adventure for Nurse Crane.

As production took place during the COVID pandemic, additional safety measures were implemented during filming to keep everyone safe.

Call the Midwife Holiday Special, Courtesy of BBC Worldwide Limited

Dame Pippa Harris, Executive Producer, said “Our midwives and nurses may not be the front-line heroes of today’s NHS, but.. they, and we, hope to bring some joy and respite into people’s lives. In such difficult times, the values of Call The Midwife seem more resonant than ever. In series ten we will continue to celebrate the skill and bravery of the UK’s NHS whilst bringing laughter and love into our homes.”

Due to the later than usual start to filming, series 10 in 2021 will consist of seven hour-long episodes instead of eight.

The “Call the Midwife” Holiday Special (2020) premieres on Friday, December 25, 9:00-10:30pm ET on PBS (check local listings).

The “Call the Midwife” Holiday Special (2020) is available to stream for free until January 24, 2021, here

The Holiday Special cast includes: Jenny Agutter (Sister Julienne), Linda Bassett (Nurse Crane), Judy Parfitt (Sister Monica Joan), Fenella Woolgar (Sister Hilda), Ella Bruccoleri (Sister Frances), Helen George (Trixie), Laura Main (Shelagh Turner), Leonie Elliott (Lucille), Stephen McGann (Dr Turner), Cliff Parisi (Fred), Annabelle Apsion (Violet), Georgie Glen (Miss Higgins), Max Macmillan (Timothy), Daniel Laurie (Reggie) and Zephryn Taitte (Cyril).

Subject to change, “Call the Midwife” Season 10 premieres in the US on PBS in Fall 2021.


If you enjoyed this post, wander over to The Period Films List. Also see the Best Period Dramas: Classic Christmas list, and Masterpiece Classic Period Dramas on Prime. For a look at all the period dramas that have aired on MASTERPIECE, season by season, see this page