Call the Midwife Cast 'Cried Their Eyes Out' as Series Brings 'Era to an End'
Heidi Thomas, the creator and boss of the beloved BBC drama Call the Midwife, has disclosed that the current season "very much brings an era to an end" as the show undergoes significant evolution. In an emotional revelation, Thomas shared that the cast and crew have all "cried their eyes out" at various points, grappling with the changes that signal things will never be the same again.
Emotional Toll of Transformation
Speaking candidly to the Radio Times, the 63-year-old writer explained that while change has always been a driving force behind the series' stories, it also proves emotionally taxing. "I think we've all cried our eyes out at different times because things will never be the same again," Thomas confessed. She emphasised that the programme, much like life itself, is a process of constant evolution for both the characters and the narratives.
Thomas has harboured many of these storylines for a long time, and she believes that transformation has generated numerous plots over the past few years. "I'm not quite sure what I would do if things weren't changing," she admitted. "The whole point is, it's about change and challenge – and the series itself looks to the future, so it very much brings an era to an end."
Prequel Series and Future Directions
This emotional shift comes as Call the Midwife prepares for a major transition. Thomas has previously announced plans to develop a prequel series, as reported by the Manchester Evening News. Reflecting on this new venture, she described the opening of new doors at Nonnatus House as "profoundly emotional, and yet just right."
Despite never running out of stories for the midwives, Thomas expressed a yearning to delve deeper into the past. "Having wept, laughed, and raged my way from 1957 to 1971, I found myself yearning to delve into the deeper past," she said. The prequel will explore the Blitz years in the East End, a period marked by loss, togetherness, courage, and joy. Thomas teased that fans can expect the appearance of some familiar, albeit much younger, faces.
Evolution of the Main Series
As the classic series progresses further into the 1970s, Thomas sees it as an opportune time for the beloved regular characters to take a short break from Poplar. This move allows them to test themselves in an unfamiliar landscape. She noted that the rise in hospital births and changes within the NHS have "clipped their wings," making this a chance for them to "take flight and work out what really matters."
Call the Midwife continues to be available for viewing on BBC iPlayer, offering audiences a chance to witness this pivotal era in the show's history. The series' enduring success is a testament to its ability to adapt and evolve, even as it bids farewell to one chapter and eagerly anticipates the next.
