Call the Midwife creator reveals when the show will 'probably' have to end

'I don't know how far into the 1970s we could go'

Clarisse Loughrey
Tuesday 05 February 2019 09:11 EST
Comments
Call the Midwife: Series 8 Trailer

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Call the Midwife’s creator Heidi Thomas has revealed when she expects the show to end.

The BBC drama is currently in its eighth series, with new episodes taking place in 1964, as Poplar sees growing prosperity, increased immigration, and medical innovations.

“I do know that the original nuns on whom the original books were based left Poplar in 1976, because the social and the medical climate had changed,” Thomas told the Radio Times. “They relocated to Birmingham and focused more on spiritual work. So I don’t know how far into the 1970s we could go.”

She added: “Because every series has a new year attached to it, I think we could go on for a few years to come. But who knows? We aren’t bored yet!”

A ninth series set in 1965 has already been commissioned, with Thomas adding: “We may well continue. And, if we did, there seems to be no limit to the interest and excitement of the world in the 1960s.”

She also revealed that she’d be open to previous characters making a comeback, specifically Sister Winifred (Victoria Yeates), Nurse Patsy Mount (Emerald Fennell), and Chummy (Miranda Hart).

“I think anybody who leaves is always welcome back,” she said. “Call the Midwife has a momentum of its own and what we find is, particularly when it’s a matter of an actor wanting to move on, very quickly they’re replaced by new characters that the audience take to their heart.”

“And I think that’s what keeps Call the Midwife going, is the idea that we constantly move forward. There’s always something refreshing happening and a new face on the horizon, and I just love the way people have embraced Sister Hilda and Sister Frances, and of course the magnificent Miriam as Mother Mildred.”

Call the Midwife continues on Sundays at 8pm on BBC1

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in