Call the Midwife Christmas Special 2025: Release Date, Cast
There’s a reason Call the Midwife remains one of television’s most beloved holiday traditions. The 2025 Christmas special takes the nuns and nurses farther from home than ever before — swapping the snowy East End for the sun-drenched streets of Hong Kong.
Premiere Date: December 25, 2025 ·
Network: BBC One (UK) / PBS (US) ·
Number of Episodes: 2 (UK) / 1 feature-length (US) ·
Filming Location: The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent, England ·
Setting Year: 1968 ·
Plot Focus: Senior Nonnatus House members travel to Hong Kong; Dr. Turner and Shelagh search for May’s birth mother
Quick snapshot
- Christmas special airs December 25, 2025 on BBC One and PBS (BBC Media Centre)
- Plot involves a Hong Kong mercy mission and a search for May’s birth mother (BBC Media Centre)
- Filmed at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent (IMDb)
- UK: Christmas Day 8:15pm + Boxing Day 8:30pm on BBC One (Radio Times)
- US: Christmas Day 8pm ET single feature-length special on PBS (TechRadar)
- Free streaming on PBS site/app until January 24, 2026 (Cheat Sheet)
- Potential 2026 Christmas special (unconfirmed)
- Series 15 expected to follow the 2026 timeline
Six facts about the special, one pattern: the UK and US are getting different episode structures despite the same core story.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Premiere Date | December 25, 2025 |
| Network | BBC One (UK) / PBS (US) |
| Filming Location | The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent, England |
| Setting Year | 1968 |
| Number of Episodes | 2 (UK) / 1 feature-length (US) |
| Plot Summary | Senior members of Nonnatus House travel to Hong Kong to tackle a crisis; Dr. Turner and Shelagh search for May’s birth mother. |
Is Call the Midwife doing a Christmas special in 2025?
Yes — the BBC has officially confirmed a two-part Christmas special for 2025. The first episode airs on Christmas Day at 8:15pm, followed by the second on Boxing Day at 8:30pm on BBC One, according to Radio Times (UK TV listings magazine).
The special breaks new ground by splitting the story into two one-hour episodes, making it longer than the previous 90-minute holiday specials. “The 2025 festive stories are split into two one-hour episodes, which is longer than typical,” the Radio Times notes.
What is the official confirmation?
On November 20, 2025, the BBC Media Centre released a press pack detailing the Christmas special. It confirms that “senior members of the convent embark on a mercy mission to Hong Kong — a chance to see what love can do.”
When is the premiere date?
Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, on both BBC One and PBS. The UK gets a second episode on Boxing Day, December 26.
Which network is airing it?
BBC One in the UK, PBS in the United States. The special is a Neal Street production for BBC, as stated in the PBS YouTube (official PBS channel).
The implication: This extended format signals a more ambitious narrative, giving the Hong Kong storyline room to develop.
Where can I see the 2025 Call the Midwife Christmas special?
UK viewers can watch on BBC One at 8:15pm on Christmas Day and 8:30pm on Boxing Day, or stream on BBC iPlayer. US viewers can watch on PBS at 8pm ET on Christmas Day, with free streaming via the PBS website and PBS App until January 24, 2026, per Cheat Sheet (US entertainment news site).
Is it on BBC One?
Yes, broadcast times confirmed by TVGuide.co.uk (UK TV listings aggregator).
Is it on PBS?
Yes, PBS confirmed the Christmas Day premiere in a PBS YouTube (official PBS channel) promotion.
Can I stream it on Prime Video or BritBox?
A Prime Video listing (Amazon streaming service) exists for “Call the Midwife: Christmas Special 2025.” BritBox availability is not yet confirmed.
Availability in Ireland and other regions?
Check local broadcasters for Ireland; the special is produced by BBC and likely syndicated. No official announcements for other regions yet.
US viewers should prioritize the live broadcast or the free streaming window, as the special may not be available on free platforms after January 24.
The pattern: US viewers get a compressed window, while UK viewers have both broadcast and iPlayer access indefinitely.
What year is Call the Midwife Christmas 2025 set in?
The 2025 Christmas special advances the series timeline to 1968, continuing the story from the 14th series. The show’s creator, Heidi Thomas, has kept the series roughly one year behind real time, so 1968 aligns with the 2025 broadcasts.
What is the timeline of the series?
Since its debut in 2012, Call the Midwife has moved from 1957 to 1968, with each season covering roughly one year. The 14th series (autumn 2025) is set in 1968, meaning the Christmas special is part of the same timeline.
Does the 2025 special advance the story?
Yes — the Hong Kong mission and the search for May’s birth mother are major plot developments that will have lasting consequences for the Turner family and the Nonnatus community.
By moving the action to Hong Kong, the show risks losing its signature East End atmosphere — but gains a fresh backdrop that could reinvigorate the series for its 15th season.
The catch: This pivot may alienate purists, but it also opens the door to new storytelling possibilities.
Who is in the cast of the Call the Midwife Christmas special 2025?
The main cast returns, including Jenny Agutter (Sister Julienne), Judy Parfitt (Sister Monica Joan), Helen George (Trixie Franklin), Stephen McGann (Dr. Turner), and Laura Main (Shelagh Turner). The full cast list published by TechRadar (technology and entertainment news site) also includes Linda Bassett, Cliff Parisi, Annabelle Apsion, Zephryn Taitte, Molly Vevers, Rebecca Gethings, Natalie Quarry, Renee Bailey, and Christopher Harper.
Which main cast members return?
All of the above. New characters appear in the Hong Kong branch of the order.
Are there any guest stars?
TVGuide.co.uk’s synopsis mentions that Fred and Violet (Cliff Parisi and Annabelle Apsion) fly to Hong Kong to visit Derek, a character likely introduced in the special. No major guest stars have been announced.
For readers interested in other British TV cast guides, check out our overview of Cast of Sex Education: Full List & Season 4 Newcomers and Peaky Blinders Season 6: Cast, Plot & Final Season Guide.
What this means: The show retains its familiar ensemble while expanding its world, a strategy that balances nostalgia with novelty.
Where was the Call the Midwife Christmas special 2025 filmed?
Interior and exterior scenes set in Poplar were filmed at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent, the show’s long-time outdoor location. The Dockyard stands in for the East End streets, as confirmed by IMDb (film and TV database).
Was it filmed in Chatham?
Yes, principal photography took place in Chatham, with the Dockyard’s 18th-century buildings dressed as 1960s Poplar.
Were any scenes shot in Hong Kong?
No official confirmation. Given budget constraints, the Hong Kong sequences were likely filmed on a set or using location stand-ins, though the production has not released details.
The decision to set half the story in Hong Kong without traveling there showcases the show’s cost-effective production model, which has sustained it for 14 seasons.
The implication: The Dockyard’s versatility remains a key asset, allowing the series to explore new settings without expensive location shoots.
Timeline signal
- December 2024 — Series 14 of Call the Midwife concludes.
- Fall 2025 — Filming and announcement of the Christmas special (BBC Media Centre).
- December 25, 2025 — Christmas special airs on BBC One and PBS (Radio Times).
- Future — Potential 2026 Christmas special (unconfirmed).
What we know and what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Christmas special airs December 25, 2025 (BBC Media Centre).
- Plot involves a Hong Kong mercy mission (BBC Media Centre).
- Dr. Turner and Shelagh search for May’s birth mother (BBC Media Centre).
- Filming location: The Historic Dockyard Chatham (IMDb).
- UK broadcast split into two one-hour episodes; US gets one feature-length special (TechRadar).
What’s unclear
- Whether there will be a 2026 Christmas special.
- Exact runtime of the US feature-length edit.
- Full cast list including guest stars.
- Streaming availability outside the US and UK.
What the broadcasters are saying
“Senior members of the convent embark on a mercy mission to Hong Kong — a chance to see what love can do, while Sister Julienne becomes excited about the Order’s future.”
— BBC Media Centre (official BBC press office)
“Senior members of the convent embark on a mercy mission, swapping the snowy East End of London for the sun-drenched streets of Hong Kong.”
“Release date December 25, 2025 (United States), filming locations at The Historic Dockyard Chatham.”
— IMDb (film and TV database)
For fans who have followed the nuns and nurses for more than a decade, the 2025 special offers a fresh horizon. The choice is clear: gather around BBC One or PBS on Christmas Day, or risk missing one of the most ambitious storylines in the show’s history. For US viewers, the free streaming window is short — catch it before January 24, 2026, or wait for a paid platform.
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Frequently asked questions
Will the Call the Midwife Christmas special 2025 be available on Netflix?
No — Netflix does not currently carry Call the Midwife in the US or UK. BBC iPlayer (UK) and PBS platforms (US) are the primary streaming options.
Is the special a one-off or part of the next series?
It is a standalone Christmas special, but it continues the storyline from the 14th series and sets up the 15th series.
How long is the Call the Midwife Christmas special 2025?
The UK version is two 60-minute episodes. The US version is a single feature-length edit of approximately 90 minutes, though exact runtime is unconfirmed.
Who is the director of the 2025 Christmas special?
The director has not been officially announced. The series is typically directed by a rotating team including Christiana Ebohon-Green or Dominic Leclerc.
Is the special suitable for new viewers?
Yes — the Hong Kong storyline is largely self-contained. However, the Turner family subplot benefits from knowing the characters from previous series.
What is the music in the 2025 Christmas special?
The soundtrack has not been revealed. The show traditionally features a mix of 1960s classics and original score by composer Maurizio Malagnini.
Will there be a 2026 Christmas special?
Not yet confirmed. Given the show’s renewal pattern, a 2026 special is likely, but no official announcement has been made.
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