Fans of Call the Midwife, get ready for a double dose of excitement because the beloved world of Nonnatus House is about to grow in two thrilling new directions. While the period drama is set to take a short break, it's for good reason as a Call the Midwife film and a prequel series are officially in the works! Both promise to deliver the same heart, drama and emotional storytelling that viewers have cherished for over a decade.
This time, the midwives are flying away from Poplar - quite literally. The upcoming film will jet-set the beloved characters abroad for a cinematic adventure set in 1972, likely following directly on from the next series and Christmas special.
While the Call the Midwife prequel will journey back to wartime Poplar, the film pushes forward, offering a fresh new landscape and emotional depth as the team faces unfamiliar challenges far from home.
Reflecting on the exciting new direction, writer Heidi Thomas OBE said: "As the classic Call the Midwife series moves further into the 1970s, it also seems the perfect time for our much-loved regulars to take a short break from Poplar and test themselves in an unfamiliar landscape.
"The rise in hospital births, and changes in the NHS, have clipped their wings, and this is their chance to take flight and work out what really matters."
Where is the Call the Midwife movie being filmed?
Production for the Call the Midwife film is set to begin in 2026, and it promises to take the show's beloved characters far from the familiar cobbled streets of Poplar. While plot details remain closely guarded, fans can expect a fresh and striking setting that will reflect the changing world of the 1970s.
As for the exact filming location? That’s still a closely kept secret. Heidi Thomas hinted, “Whilst the location of the film remains top-secret, I can say it is going to look absolutely fantastic on the big screen!”
Executive Producer Dame Pippa Harris has also shared her excitement: “We have all been delighted by the way audiences have continued to embrace Heidi’s imaginative and moving stories from Nonnatus House. Emboldened by this warmth and enthusiasm, now feels like the right time to expand our world and take our nuns and midwives onto the big screen with our movie, and back in time with the prequel!”
Will there be a Call the Midwife prequel series?
In addition to the upcoming film, the team behind Call the Midwife is also developing a prequel series set during World War Two. This new series will explore life in Poplar during the 1940s, giving fans a glimpse into the early days that shaped the world of Nonnatus House.
With this announcement coinciding with the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the timing feels particularly poignant. Viewers will get to experience the roots of the show’s characters and themes, long before the events of the main series.
Neal Street Productions is developing both the film and the prequel in collaboration with BBC Film. They promise to honour the spirit of the original series while offering fresh narratives and settings.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, cinema trips, playing board games and walking her three dogs.