Call The Midwife

2020
4.8
1.22K reviews
TV-14
Rating
Eligible
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Season 1 episodes (6)

1 Episode 1
1/15/12
In the spring of 1957 newly qualified midwife Jenny Lee arrives in the East End of London to begin her career. After overcoming the initial shock that her new home, Nonnatus House, is a convent rather than a private hospital she quickly becomes immersed in her new life. Living with Nuns and working in a community of colorful characters, such as Conchita Warren and her 25 pregnancies, is different from anything Jenny has encountered previously. Through her we experience the sorrows and joys which come with being a midwife.
2 Episode 2
1/22/12
As Jenny Lee settles into her role, there is a new arrival at Nonnatus House, Chummy (Miranda Hart). A welcome pair of extra hands Chummy sets about showing her worth, but an overwhelming keenness to please and her inability to ride a bike prove obstacles in gaining the respect of Sister Evangelina. Meanwhile a chance encounter with Mary, a young pregnant runaway, forces Jenny to see an unfamiliar darker side of life.
3 Episode 3
1/29/12
Jenny is placed on the district nursing roster for a few weeks, to extend her experience of community practice. During her rounds she attends to Joe, a gentle old soldier, and a friendship forms. At the antenatal clinic Trixie and Cynthia enrol Winnie Lawson as new patient. In her forties Winnie had thought her days of diapers and babies were long gone, and seems upset by her pregnancy. By contrast her husband Ted is overjoyed by the news. However at the baby's birth everyone gets a bit of a surprise.
4 Episode 4
2/5/12
A baby girl, recently delivered by Jenny, is snatched from her carriage, causing great anguish to her family and uniting the local community as they search for the missing child. Meanwhile Cynthia witnesses another type of loss as she assists in the case of soon-to-be parents David and Margaret. Newly married and excited about their future, everything is put in jeopardy when Margaret develops eclampsia.
5 Episode 5
2/12/12
Jenny finds herself for once not involved in the beginning of life, but at it's end. When Frank, the brother of Peggy the cleaner at Nonnatus House, is diagnosed with cancer Jenny and the nuns are called upon to provide him with care. In doing so Jenny comes to know the siblings better, learning of their upbringing in a workhouse and the profound effect it has had on their relationship. As Jenny tends to Frank, the other residents of Nonnatus House find themselves involved in helping Fred with his latest money making venture - a pig called "Evie". Fred's plan had been to make his fortune from bacon, this is spoiled when it's realized the pig is pregnant . The nuns and nurses help out Fred and Evie in the manner they know best.
6 Episode 6
2/19/12
Sister Monica Joan is found wandering near the docks, and returned to Nonnatus House by the police. Her adventure takes its toll on her health and she succumbs to pneumonia. When she eventually recovers she sails forth back into the community only to find herself in trouble with the law when she is accused of theft. As Sister Monica Joan's case progresses to trial the Nonnatus House community fear that the old nun could find herself going to jail. Chummy has further worries when her mother decides to make a trip to inspect her new "beau".

About this show

A moving, intimate, funny and, above all, true-to-life look at the colorful stories of midwifery and families in East London from the Fifties, based on the best-selling memoirs of the late Jennifer Worth. When Jenny Lee first arrives in Poplar, she knows nothing about hardship, poverty or indeed, life itself. Attached to an order of nursing nuns at Nonnatus House, Jenny is part of a team of midwives who visit expectant mothers, providing the poorest women with the best possible care.

Ratings and reviews

4.8
1.22K reviews
Jason Rotolo
April 15, 2014
Well written, sometimes humorous, but always touching and relatable, Call The Midwife is one of the best shows on TV. The cast works well together, and the acting is tasteful and believable. One can't help but feel compassion for the struggles of the poor families of Poplar who are in desperate need of quality medical care. The expectant mothers of the show really drive the story lines, and, as a group, are like an uncredited cast member. There is also a little sex appeal for the male viewers (Jenny Lee and Trixie Franklin). I wish the first two seasons were available.
33 people found this review helpful
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Magen
March 19, 2016
It's not just about the characters and their growth as people in a rapidly changing world. It's also a commentary on the social changes and challenges facing them and their East End area. If you like history, a dash of romance, music, the mystery of what nuns actually do and the idea of babies then you will enjoy this show.
5 people found this review helpful
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A Google user
August 15, 2016
Between Call the Midwife never missed a a season, and watching Downton Abbey my Sunday nights where in the best place. How I found out about this series I actually read her books every one of them and when I found out they were on PBS I had to watch them and was hooked. Thanks Masterpiece Theater for making 2 of the most wonderful and intriguing Shadows I've ever seen. :) :) :)
6 people found this review helpful
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