Call the Midwife Christmas special 2026 adds five new characters
BBC confirms prequel set in 1939 Poplar will air during the festive season
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The BBC has confirmed five new actors will join the cast of *Call the Midwife* for its 2026 Christmas special. The episode, titled *Sisters In Arms*, is set in Poplar in September 1939, as the Second World War begins. It will air during the festive season, though the BBC has not yet announced an exact date.
The new characters will be played by Julie Hesmondhalgh, Helena Wilson, Ellie McKay, Liv Andrusier and Lizzie Back. The special will serve as a three-part prequel to the long-running drama, which has aired a Christmas episode every year since its debut in January 2012.
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Story set during wartime evacuation
Writer and showrunner Heidi Thomas said the special explores the evacuation of children from Poplar and the emotional toll of families separated by war. She described filming the scenes as deeply moving, particularly the fear that some children might not return home in time for Christmas.
“I was surprised how many new emotions *Call The Midwife: Sisters In Arms* sparked. In particular, the evacuation of Poplar’s children, and the fear that they may not make it home for Christmas had us all in tears.”
Heidi Thomas, writer and showrunner
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A BBC synopsis for the special reveals the story follows young nuns and midwives at Nonnatus House as they care for mothers and babies amid the hardships of war. The synopsis notes the absence of modern medical advances, such as penicillin and pain relief, and the lack of a welfare state to support families.
The plot will show the impact of the Blitz on the community, with women giving birth in underground shelters and entire streets reduced to rubble. The synopsis emphasises themes of resilience and unity as the characters work to keep the community together.
How to watch
Previous series of *Call the Midwife* are available to stream on BBC iPlayer. The BBC has not yet confirmed whether the 2026 Christmas special will be released on the platform after its initial broadcast.
The special will mark the 16th Christmas episode of the series, which has followed the lives of midwives in east London since 2012. The BBC has not announced whether filming for the next regular series has begun.
Questions this report answers
+Who are the new characters in the 2026 Call the Midwife Christmas special?
The BBC has confirmed five new actors will join the cast: Julie Hesmondhalgh, Helena Wilson, Ellie McKay, Liv Andrusier and Lizzie Back. They will play characters in the three-part prequel set in 1939 Poplar.
+When will the Call the Midwife Christmas special 2026 air?
The BBC has not announced an exact date, but the special will air during the festive season. Previous Christmas episodes have typically been broadcast in late December.
+What is the 2026 Call the Midwife Christmas special about?
Titled *Sisters In Arms*, the special is set in Poplar in September 1939 during the outbreak of the Second World War. It follows midwives and nuns at Nonnatus House as they care for the community amid the Blitz and the evacuation of children.
+Where can I watch previous series of Call the Midwife?
All previous series of *Call the Midwife* are available to stream on BBC iPlayer. The platform hosts episodes dating back to the show’s debut in 2012.
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