Call The Midwife manages to take the hard-hitting business of baby delivery and nursing, team it with a female-led cast, thought-provoking plotlines and make it into one very lovable BBC series.

The period drama has, arguably, risen to national treasure status – not least because of all of the wonderful midwives at Nonnatus House.

As well as yearly Christmas specials and an exciting series 11 – which only came to an end this February – fans have been left to wonder just when series 12 will be coming to our screens. Well, it seems as though we needn’t have thought about it for long as it’s been confirmed that filming for the 12th season is currently underway.  

As well as knowing that filming for the new series is well under way, series creator Heidi Thomas has now revealed more about what we can expect in the new series. Speaking to RadioTimes, she revealed that series 12 is set in 1968 and explains: “Women’s lives were incredibly different. Abortion had been legalised. Domestic violence was something that was being talked about more openly. The pill had come onto the scene. All of these things were changing women’s experience and shifting the lens through which women, and that’s our regular characters as well as our guest characters, look at the world.

“So, it would be impossible, really, to make a drama about women in the 1950s and 60s that feels repetitive or would seem to turn in on itself because women are looking outward; women are questioning the world; women are arguing with the law; women are arguing with their husbands; and that in itself is very vital and very volatile.”

While the series has long been praised for its depictions of women’s issues and stories revolving around abortion, Thomas recognises the fact that, now more than ever, these storylines are even more important.

She said: “The abortion storylines always grab me by the heart and by the throat. And I find it shocking that they’ve become incredibly relevant. You know, particularly with recent events in America. So that will always be the standout strand for me, and it is a strand rather than an isolated episode.”

As for other plot details, Thomas has said that series 12 will continue to include “some very strong stories about the way society was changing at that time”. For example, the thalidomide scandal, Enoch Powell’s inflammatory anti-immigration speech and race relations in the UK. 

Thomas says: “In the very first episode of the new series, which will probably come out in January if it follows the usual pattern, I realised the timing of that episode coincided exactly with Enoch Powell’s Rivers Of Blood speech which made a huge difference, and not a very positive difference to race relations in Great Britain.

“It was a big turning point for our society and the way we spoke of and behaved towards people who had come here from other countries, so that was something we felt we had to tackle.”

As well as this fantastic news, Call The Midwife fans can rest easy knowing that one of the series’ most beloved characters will be returning for series 12. Trixie Franklin (Helen George), who left after season 11 episode five to care for her ill godmother, didn’t return for the rest of the season.

The storyline was used to account for George’s real-life pregnancy but since then, we’ve been left to wonder whether she’d ever be returning. Well, the good news is that she definitely is. Speaking to RadioTimes, series creator Heidi Thomas revealed: “Trixie rejoins us. And something interesting and rather wonderful will happen for Trixie this series, so she has big news coming up – which we probably won’t unveil just yet.”

Just what could be in store for Trixie? Well, it looks like we may get a glimpse of this “big news” in the 2022 Christmas special as she’ll be returning to our screens then also.

As the Facebook post details: “What will 1968 bring for Trixie? Will her relationship with Matthew continue to blossom? All will be revealed as Series 12 unfolds…”

We guess we’ll just have to wait nearer the time for those burning questions to be answered.

Also speaking to Radio Times, series star Megan Cusack (who plays Nancy Corrigan) previously said of filming the new series that she was “just really excited to get together with everyone again because everyone’s so lovely. It’s like a family. The crew are great. It’s great crack.”

Helen George (Trixie) also commented: “What’s nice is we’re not going to have Covid restrictions for the first time in a few years, which will be wonderful.”

Laura Main (Sister Bernadette) added: “There will be no perspex. We can kiss, we can touch and do what we do.” 

While we may have a little while to wait until the new series, we do know that it will continue to shine a light on not just the beloved protagonists’ lives but also some important themes. So far, the series has discussed women’s rights, abortion, diversity and from the sounds of it so far, series 12 will retain much of the same enlightening focus that fans know and love.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated once we know more. Watch this space for updates.     

Images: BBC