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Call the Midwife

Drama: Classic & Period

Drama: Medical

Drama set in London's East End during the 1950s, based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth.

A heart-warming tale of life in London's hard-up East End. Midwives welcome new lives in the changing times of the 50s and 60s.

Series 1

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Simulcast of network BBC One in high definition. From 03/11/2010

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Call the Midwife: Series 1

Philippa Lowthorpe

Jessica Raine

Jenny Agutter

Pam Ferris

Judy Parfitt

Helen George

Bryony Hannah

Laura Main

Cliff Parisi

Stephen McGann

Ben Caplan

Lorraine Stanley

Hayley Squires

Carolina Valdes

Tim Faraday

Lacey Bond

Benjamin Wilkin

Sarah Ridgeway

David Annen

Vanessa Redgrave

Hugh Warren

Heidi Thomas

Call the Midwife: Series 1: Episode 1

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Episode 1

BBC One - Call the Midwife, Series 1, Episode 1

Newly qualified midwife Jenny arrives in the East End to embark on a challenging career.

Drama set in the 1950s, based on Jennifer Worth's memoirs. Newly qualified midwife Jenny Lee arrives in the East End to embark on a challenging career alongside an order of nuns.

This opening episode sees newly qualified midwife Jenny Lee arriving at Nonnatus House. Believing she has been sent to a small private hospital, Jenny is initially surprised to find herself at a convent. Via Jenny, we are introduced to the series world and its regular characters - the Sisters (Julienne, Evangelina, Bernadette and Monica Joan), her nursing colleagues Trixie and Cynthia, and the jovial handyman Fred. Initially daunted by her surroundings, which are so different to anything she has witnessed previously, Jenny gradually begins to find her feet.

The story of the week focuses on the first case Jenny is allowed to handle alone - the care of Mrs Conchita Warren, during her 25th pregnancy. Conchita is married to Len Warren, an East End painter and decorator who fought in the Spanish Civil War. He brought Conchita home with him after hostilities ceased - a living, breathing and very beautiful souvenir. 

Conchita speaks no English, as according to Len there has never been any need, and spends her days caring for her enormous family. Her case appears to be routine, but when freezing smog descends on London events take a turn for the worse. Conchita slips, falls and goes into labour at 30 weeks gestation - suffering from severe concussion. Jenny, alone in the house with Conchita and her husband, must draw on all her reserves of skill and courage if Conchita and her premature child are to survive.

This episode also features Pearl, whose indomitable spirit rises above a dose of venereal disease; and Muriel, whose home delivery shows us the best and worst that the system has to offer.

A newly-qualified midwife begins her career alongside an order of nursing nuns.

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