Call the Midwife

Original version

BBC One North West HD

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 13

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Jenny Agutter

Linda Bassett

Judy Parfitt

Helen George

Pippa Harris

Heidi Thomas

Ann Tricklebank

David Tucker

Neal Street Productions

Call the Midwife: Series 13: Episode 1

Episode 1

BBC One - Call the Midwife, Series 13, Episode 1

The new midwifery training scheme begins, and the team care for a mum with cerebral palsy.

Sister Julienne cares for an expectant mother who has cerebral palsy. Nonnatus House kicks off its new midwifery training scheme with the arrival of four new pupil midwives.

Sister Julienne and Shelagh are thrilled that the new midwifery training scheme is underway, which includes pupil midwives Rosalind Clifford, Joyce Highland, Kathy Downes and Norelle Morris. Once introduced to the routines of a home delivery, Rosalind and Joyce unpack their belongings and settle into Nonnatus House. 

Dr Turner expresses his delight about a new scheme which allows GPs to deliver some of their more complex patients in hospital with a consultant on standby. When Doreen Challis, a young woman with cerebral palsy, is confirmed to be pregnant, her mother Ada is furious, not only at the baby’s father, Graham, but Doreen’s sister Anne, who helped conceal the pregnancy. As concerns grow for Doreen, a shocking detail from her own birth comes to light.  

Rosalind’s first birth on the district is a baptism of fire under Trixie’s tutelage. All seems to be going well until events take a dramatic turn, putting Trixie, Rosalind, mother and baby in danger.  

When Violet regretfully tells Fred and Reggie that the fairground she’s booked for Easter Monday has been cancelled, Reggie comes up with an idea that will bring the community together. Meanwhile, the Nonnatus team learn of the nurses' Raise the Roof campaign for better pay and conditions, and there is a clear divide of opinion around the table.

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