The BBC drama is getting a movie set in 1972 as Sister Julienne hinted at the location of the newest plot
Angie Quinn Screen Time Reporter
18:00, 29 Mar 2026
Nurse Crane and Dr Turner listened as Sister Julienne announced plans for Nonnatus House(Image: BBC)
The sisters and nurses of Nonnatus House are heading to the big screen.
Call the Midwife series 15 wrapped up recently with the poignant passing of Sister Monica Joan (Judy Parfitt), devastating audiences and prompting questions about the programme’s return.
The closing instalments also depicted medical breakthroughs and NHS reforms that threatened Nonnatus House with permanent shutdown, casting doubt over its survival.
The BBC programme debuted in 2012 and chronicles the challenges faced by midwife-nurses and Anglican sisters operating in London’s East End between the late 1950s and early 1970s, during the NHS’ formative years.
The initial series drew inspiration from Jennifer Worth’s memoirs, documenting her experiences as a community midwife and nurse in Poplar, reports the Mirror.
The prequel series will feature younger versions of Sister Julienne and Sister Evangelina(Image: BBC)
After the most recent series, creator Heidi Thomas has announced a prequel set during the London Blitz in Poplar is under development. The Second World War drama will showcase younger incarnations of cherished characters, Sisters Julienne, Monica Joan, and Evangelina, previously played by Jenny Agutter, Judy Parfitt, and Pam Ferris.
A 16th series of the popular programme has been greenlit, although transmission dates for fresh episodes and the prequel remain unconfirmed. Nevertheless, Call the Midwife devotees can anticipate a film set in 1972, taking place abroad, showcasing familiar faces from the television series.
The film and prequel projects will be penned, developed, and brought to the screen by Heidi Thomas, with Dame Pippa Harris and Ann Tricklebank serving as executive producers, overseeing production of the programme’s 16th series.
“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,” creator Heidi explained when the film was initially revealed last May.
“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… it is going to look absolutely fantastic on the big screen!”
The Call The Midwife saga continues with a new series, prequel and movie(Image: BBC)
Where is the Call the Midwife film set?
Heidi hinted that Australia might serve as a possible setting for the movie. In conversation with the Radio Times, she revealed: “It’s not so much doubts [about Australia], but there are three options. One is Australia, and there are another two.”
Yet, during series 15’s conclusion, Sister Julienne informed the midwives and Doctor Turner (Stephen McGann), “We are all facing loss, and we are facing change”, before revealing that Nonnatus House’s services would be “altered”.
She disclosed, “Sister Veronica and Sister Catherine and I have decided that Nonnatus House will become a house of prayer and charity while we discern our next steps.” Displaying a concerned expression, Nurse Crane (Linda Bassett) enquired: “Can you say what sort of steps you might be considering?”
Sister Julienne then revealed three possible new medical missions, “all of which would involve at least a year abroad.”
Call The Midwife creator Heidi Thomas confirmed the new movie will be set abroad (Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)
“One of them would be in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, one of them would be in British Columbia, and one would be in a remote part of Australia”, she continued, seemingly confirming three prospective settings for the film.
While the Call the Midwife movie cast has not been announced, Sister Julienne’s remarks suggest it may feature the three surviving nuns alongside Doctor Turner.
The remaining Call the Midwife cast at the conclusion of series 15 is as follows:
Jenny Agutter as Sister JulienneLaura Main as Shelagh TurnerHelen George as Trixie AylwardCliff Parisi as Fred BuckleStephen McGann as Dr TurnerLinda Bassett as Nurse CraneAnnabelle Apsion as Violet BuckleGeorgie Glen as Miss HigginsZephryn Taitte as Cyril RobinsonRebecca Gethings as Sister VeronicaDaniel Laurie as Reggie JacksonRenee Bailey as Joyce HighlandNatalie Quarry as Rosalind CliffordMolly Vevers as Sister CatherineMax Macmillan as Timothy TurnerAlice Brown as Angela TurnerApril Rae Hoang as May TangEdward Shaw as Teddy Turner
The Call the Midwife producers haven’t disclosed when the film will arrive or even when cameras will start rolling, particularly as the prequel also requires production. Filming is anticipated to begin this year for the prequel, making a precise movie release date difficult to predict, though 2027 or 2028 appears feasible.
Call the Midwife is available to catchup on BBC iPlayer