Call the Midwife season 11: Release date and latest news for BBC drama

Fans of the midwife-based drama have plenty to look forward to, and the cast has been hinting at all the delights to come.

Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, Trixie star Helen George told us: “It has naturally sort of settled into something which isn’t dissimilar from the first series, but it’s settled into a new way of being. It’s changed because there’s an influx of new blood coming in all the time, so there’s a lovely changeover and renewal of energy as we go through each series.”

Dr Patrick Turner actor Stephen McGann added: “It’s big, it’s brilliant and it is a real challenge. And I think for people who watch the show, I think it’s a departure. It’s different. It’s ambitious.

"Everybody, in their way, is affected by it. Everyone comes into it. It smashes. It’s great. And it shows us again going on and on with this thing and finding new things to tell.”

Call us intrigued, then!

Now the new season is here, here is all you need to know about the beloved drama.

Call the Midwife season 11 release date

Call the Midwife season 11 began on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday 2nd January 2022.

This means the new episodes arrived only eight days after the feature-length Call the Midwife Christmas special airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

The episodes continue on Sunday nights from 8pm on BBC One and on BBC iPlayer.

The news of the show's return date was revealed on Thursday, 9th December 2022 in a tweet from the show's official Twitter account.

In the meantime, fans can catch up on previous episodes on BBC iPlayer.

Who will appear in Call the Midwife season 11?

The regular Call the Midwife cast shall be returning following the latest festive special.

That includes our favourite characters: Nurse Trixie Franklin (Helen George), Nurse Lucille Anderson (Leonie Elliott), Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) (Sister Julienne), Sister Monica Joan (Judy Parfitt), and Nurse Phyllis Crane (Linda Bassett).

Other actors to return for the new episodes include Stephen McGann (Dr Turner), Laura Main (Shelagh Turner), Cliff Parisi (Fred Buckle), Annabel Apsion (Violet Buckle), Daniel Laurie (Reggie), Zephryn Taitte (Cyril Robinson), Ella Bruccoleri (Sister Frances), Fenella Woolgar (Sister Hilda), and Georgie Glen (Miss Higgins).

We can also now reveal that Megan Cusack will return as Nancy Corrigan, Nonnatus House's resident pupil midwife who arrived in season 10.

Miriam Margolyes also remains in the cast of Call the Midwife as Mother Mildred, even though she did not appear on screen in season 10; presumably, for COVID-related reasons, all her interactions took place down the telephone line.

However, given that the legendary Margolyes plays an active role in the festive special, she shall be back full-time in the eleventh run.

Further guest stars for the Christmas special and season 11 will be confirmed in due course.

What will happen in Call the Midwife season 11?

As detailed above, actor Stephen George, who plays Dr Patrick Turner, has teased a seismic event in the next set of episodes, but exactly what this is remains unknown.

Call the Midwife’s Helen George has also hinted at “obstacles” ahead for her character and widower Matthew Aylward (Olly Rix).

Viewers have been hoping for a romance between the pair, but whether this actually materialises remains to be seen and viewers will have to tune in to find out.

While we don't have any official details, we can take a quick look at what happened in 1967, when season 11 will be set.

Firstly, there were a couple of big legislative changes which Call the Midwife will certainly cover. The Abortion Act 1967 was passed towards the end of the year, legalising abortion in a wide range of cases; this is sure to have a big impact on the women of Poplar, and on the work of the midwives at Nonnatus House.

The second significant change was the Sexual Offences Act 1967, which came into effect in July. The Act permitted "homosexual acts" between two consenting adults over the age of 21, and was a considerable milestone, even if it did not ensure equality in law.

This was also the year when the UK and Republic of Ireland applied for European Economic Community membership (a precursor to the EU); the Beatles released Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band; Bond film You Only Live Twice premiered; colour television began on BBC Two; and Norwell Roberts became the first Black officer in London's Met Police.

How many more seasons of Call the Midwife will there be?

Fans will be delighted to hear that the future of Call the Midwife is secure! Aside from season 11 (2022), the show has already been re-commissioned by the BBC for season 12 (2023) and season 13 (2024).

The seasons will each consist of eight one-hour episodes, plus a feature-length Christmas special. This also means that the story will continue until at least the end of 1969, and potentially into the 1970s.

Creator, writer and executive producer Heidi Thomas said: "It’s an incredible privilege to be able to look back on a decade of Call The Midwife, and yet know that our journey is still very far from over. We are thrilled to be going on for a few more years!

“Like Nonnatus House itself, we have a proud past but an even more exciting future – full of old favourites, fresh faces, higher hemlines, new ideas. The stories we tell are like babies – they never stop coming, we love them all, and we vow to do our best by every single one.”

Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, added: “The enduring popularity of Call The Midwife is a testament to the extraordinary love and creativity from its creator Heidi Thomas and its producers Pippa Harris and Ann Tricklebank. We are delighted to have secured the future of Call The Midwife for two further series beyond those which are currently in production, and look forward to enjoying more adventures for the inhabitants of Nonnatus House for years to come.”

Call the Midwife season 11 continues on Sunday nights on BBC One, while seasons 1-10 are available on BBC iPlayer.

Looking for something else to watch? Check out the rest of our Drama coverage or take a look at our TV Guide.