ARLINGTON, VA (February 13, 2023) – PBS announced today that the critically acclaimed British drama CALL THE MIDWIFE will return for its 12th season Sundays, March 19 – May 7, 2023 at 8:00 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS app. The eight-part series, which follows the nurses, midwives and nuns from Nonnatus House in 1960s East London, will air as part of PBS’s Sunday night drama lineup this spring.

In Season 12 – set in 1968 – change is in the air. Enoch Powell’s infamous “Rivers of Blood” speech criticizing immigration creates serious tension in Poplar, especially when a group of dockers march in support of Powell – distressing Cyril (Zephryn Taitte) and Lucille (Leonie Elliott) in particular. The midwives welcome a new nun, Sister Veronica (Rebecca Gethings), who is an instant hit with everyone – except Nurse Crane (Linda Bassett). Meanwhile, the bond between Trixie (Helen George) and Matthew (Olly Rix) only strengthens following their engagement, while Nurse Crane helps Nancy (Megan Cusack) with her financial woes. Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) enjoys helping out the district, Shelagh (Laura Main) and Dr. Turner (Stephen McGann) split their time between the busy maternity home and their lively young family, and Reggie (Daniel Laurie) continues to bring joy into the lives of Violet (Annabelle Apsion) and Fred (Cliff Parisi).

CALL THE MIDWIFE stars Jenny Agutter (“The Railway Children,” “Spooks”) as Sister Julienne, Linda Bassett (“Lark Rise to Candleford”) as Nurse Phylllis Crane, Judy Parfitt (“Girl with a Pearl Earring”) as Sister Monica Joan, Ella Bruccoleri (“Genius: Picasso”) as Sister Frances, Helen George (“Doctors”) as Nurse Trixie Franklin, Laura Main (“Monarch of the Glen”) as Nurse Shelagh Turner, Leonie Elliott (“Black Mirror”) as Nurse Lucille Robinson, Stephen McGann (“The Hanging Gale,” “Emmerdale”) as Dr. Patrick Turner, Cliff Parisi (“EastEnders”) as Fred Buckle, Annabelle Apsion (“Hillsborough,” “The Lakes”) as Violet Buckle, Georgie Glen (“Waterloo Road”) as Millicent Higgins, Max Macmillan (“The Song of Names”) as Timothy Turner, Daniel Laurie (“Finding Alice”) as Reggie Jackson, Zephryn Taitte (“Brothers with No Game”) as Cyril Robinson, Megan Cusack (“The Cherry Orchard”) as Nurse Nancy Corrigan, Olly Rix (“The Spanish Princess”) as Matthew Aylward, and Vanessa Redgrave provides the voice of the mature Jennifer Worth.

CALL THE MIDWIFE is created and written by Heidi Thomas; Executive Producers are Pippa Harris, Heidi Thomas, Ann Tricklebank, and Gaynor Holmes. The series is a Neal Street Production for BBC, in co-production with PBS, and is distributed internationally by BBC Studios in addition to the previous 11 hit seasons.

CALL THE MIDWIFE will be available to stream on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS app, available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast and VIZIO.

About PBS

PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 120 million people through television and 26 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature, and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’s broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS’s premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math, and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV — including a 24/7 channel — online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps, and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at PBS.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Communications on Twitter.

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios, a global content company with bold British creativity at its heart, is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group, supporting the licence fee and enhancing programmes for UK audiences. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, its activities span content financing, development, production, sales, branded services, and ancillaries across both its own productions, and programmes and formats made by high-quality UK independents. Award-winning British programmes made by the business are internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear, Doctor Who and Bluey. BBC Studios has offices in over 20 markets globally, including ten production bases in the UK and production bases or partnerships in a further seven countries around the world. The company, which ordinarily makes around 2000 hours of content a year for both the BBC and third parties including Apple, Netflix and Migu, is a champion for British creativity around the world. It is also a committed partner for the UK’s independent sector through a mix of equity partnerships, content investment and international distribution for programme titles. BBC Studios | Website | Press Office | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram |

About Neal Street Productions

Neal Street Productions is run by Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Caro Newling, and Nicolas Brown. The company successfully produces award-winning film, TV and theatre and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Neal Street’s diverse television slate includes the hugely successful Call the Midwife for the BBC, which was recently voted the best TV show of the last 25 years in a Radio Times poll. The 13th series of which will begin filming in Spring 2023. Other dramas include Stuart A Life Backwards based on the life story of Stuart Shorter and starring Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch. John Logan’s Penny Dreadful and Penny Dreadful: City of Angels for Showtime; the award-winning The Hollow Crown for the BBC; three series of Jez Butterworth’s Britannia for Sky/Epix, and the BAFTA-nominated, contemporary thriller Informer for BBC/Amazon.

Neal Street’s film projects have included Revolutionary Road for Paramount and DreamWorks, Things We Lost in the Fire for DreamWorks, and Jarhead for Universal. 1917, Neal Street’s First World War epic, directed by Sam Mendes and co-written by Sam Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns for Amblin and Universal, starred George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch, and won over 100 awards, including 2 Golden Globes for Best Picture and Best Director, 3 Academy Awards for Best Cinematography, VFX and Sound Mixing, and 7 BAFTAs including Best Film, Best British Film and Best Director.

Most recently, Neal Street has released Empire of Light, for Searchlight Pictures, written and directed by Sam Mendes, starring Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward, Colin Firth and Toby Jones.

Also, The Franchise, an original TV comedy pilot, which Neal Street will produce for HBO and will be directed by Sam Mendes.

In theatre, recent productions include Jez Butterworth’s Olivier and Tony award-winning The Ferryman; and the Tony award-winning The Lehman Trilogy which has had sell-out runs on both sides of the Atlantic, and is currently performing in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.

Neal Street Productions is an All3Media company, All3Media is owned jointly between Discovery Communications and Liberty Global.