Prepare to clear your schedules this Christmas, as filming has officially wrapped on the upcoming Call the Midwife spin-off, Sisters in Arms.
The three-part prequel special, which comes to BBC iPlayer and BBC One this festive period, follows a young Sister Monica Joan at Nonnatus House in 1939.
A first look at the series shows Julie Hesmondhalgh (Mr Bates vs the Post Office, Broadchurch) in nun’s habit as Sister Alice, alongside Helena Wilson (The Hills of California, The Custom of the Country) as Sister Julienne.
Another behind-the-scenes snap introduces a trio of new midwives: Olive Dobbs, who is played by Ellie McKay (Hijack, Austin), Marianne Siegler, played by Liv Andrusier (The Witcher, Fiddler on the Roof) and Sybil Maxted, played by Lizzie Back (Grantchester, Grace).
As we count down the days until Christmas, find out all we know about the upcoming spin-off below.
What is Sisters in Arms about?
The three-part special transports viewers back to September 1939, when Sister Monica Joan is in her prime, Sister Julienne and Sister Evangelina are young and zealous, and Nonnatus House is the beating heart of Poplar.
The synopsis continues: “Together with Sister Alice, and local GP Dr Kit, the nuns dedicate their lives to mothers, babies and those in need. But there is no gas and air, no penicillin, no cure for TB, and no welfare state. Then war is declared – and life gets even harder.
© Neal Street/BBC“The three young secular midwives who complete the team – Sybil, Olive and Marianne – receive a baptism of fire as the blackout and the Blitz take hold. While bombs rain from the sky, women give birth underground, families are shattered, children run wild, and whole streets are reduced to rubble. But courage, compassion and resilience triumph as the community unites in its efforts to survive.”
What has creator Heidi Thomas said about the show?
Teasing the upcoming prequel, showrunner Heidi Thomas said in a statement: “Call the Midwife has a long and noble history of filming Christmas specials during heatwaves, and this year we welcomed the snow-machine back to the Nonnatus House set like an old friend.
© BBC / Neal Street Productions / Nicky Johnston“But I was surprised how many new emotions Call the Midwife: Sisters in Arms sparked,” she continued. “In particular, the evacuation of Poplar’s children, and the fear that they may not make it home for Christmas had us all in tears.”
Call the Midwife is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.
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