‘Call the Midwife’ Creator Heidi Thomas Declines Streamer Offers, Prioritizes BBC Partnership
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The critically acclaimed period drama, Call the Midwife, has solidified its position as a cornerstone of the BBC’s programming, and its creator, Heidi Thomas, remains firmly committed to the broadcaster despite significant interest from streaming giants like Netflix. With a 13th Christmas special imminent, followed by a 15th season in the new year, and plans for a prequel series, a feature film, and a 16th season already in development, the show’s future appears secure.
Thomas revealed during a recent press event that she regularly receives “wonderful opportunities” from streamers, but has no intention of leaving the BBC, which she described as “the best opportunity I have ever had.” “Why would I give it up for something that’s a shot in the dark?” she questioned, referencing the long-running series that intimately portrays the lives of midwives and nuns at Nonnatus House in London’s East End from the late 1950s through the 1970s.
A Lifetime Commitment to Storytelling
For Thomas, the appeal of Call the Midwife extends beyond professional opportunity. She emphasized the importance of having “things to say” and collaborating with “brilliant people” to bring those stories to life. “This is my job of a lifetime – I’ve probably spent half my lifetime doing it – and that’s not going to change,” she stated.
The series’ dedication to representing diverse communities – women, the working class, people with disabilities, and newcomers to the country – is a key factor in Thomas’s commitment. She believes that streamers don’t consistently offer the same platform for these narratives, characterizing their proposals as “a puff of smoke in the dark,” with projects often arriving and disappearing “like a firework.” In contrast, she views Call the Midwife as “solid… a building, we built it from the ground up and there will be more stories.”
Values Over Finances
When questioned about the financial incentives often associated with streaming deals, Thomas was unequivocal: “it’s not about the money, it’s about values.” She expressed appreciation for the BBC’s “not unreasonable budget,” emphasizing that every resource is strategically allocated to enhance the on-screen product. “There’s never enough time and there’s never enough money, but what you make out of not having enough time and not having enough money is a jewel because you put thought into every gesture that you make, both on the screen and behind it,” she explained. “And I don’t think you can put a price on thoughtfulness.”
The Impact on Viewers
The dedication to detail and emotional resonance of Call the Midwife has clearly resonated with its audience. Jenny Agutter, who has portrayed Sister Julienne in nearly every episode, shared that she and her fellow cast members regularly receive letters detailing the profound impact the show has had on viewers’ lives. “All of us will have had letters from people which are not about what we do, but what the story does for them,” Agutter said. “And that is so touching, and has always made me feel that… sometimes, you think acting is a frivolous job. But when you hear from somebody that the show got them through circumstances, or it was something that touched their lives, you think that actually it is a gift to other people.”
Christopher Harper, who joined the cast in 2023 as Trixie’s brother Geoffrey, echoed this sentiment, describing his involvement with Call the Midwife as a “massive privilege.” He noted the unique connection actors develop with viewers, becoming a “face to somebody who it’s really resonated with.” “You realise how important this show is to people and what it does to people’s hearts,” Harper added.
Call the Midwife will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Christmas.
