‘Call the Midwife’ season 16 confirmed but major shake-up ahead for beloved BBC drama

Fans of Call the Midwife can relax, at least for now. The beloved BBC period drama has officially been confirmed for season 16.

But after the dramatic events of the season 15 finale, the future of Nonnatus House and its team of midwives appears more uncertain than ever.

The emotional finale delivered several major changes that left viewers fearing the long-running series could be entering a new era.

The episode featured the death of Sister Monica Joan, a moment that marked the end of one of the show’s most iconic storylines.

At the same time, the team faced another huge upheaval when the sign outside Nonnatus House revealed the building would temporarily close.

Sister Julienne later explained that the house would become a place of prayer and charity while the future of the order is decided.

The team’s next steps could involve overseas medical missions lasting up to a year, with potential locations including British Columbia in Canada, Australia or the Gilbert and Ellice Islands.

Those developments are expected to play out in the upcoming Call the Midwife film, which showrunner Heidi Thomas has suggested will be set around 1972 or 1973.

While season 16 has been confirmed, fans may have to wait longer than usual for its return.

The show traditionally premieres each January, but the schedule will shift as production moves forward on both the film and a newly announced prequel series.

Thomas said the drama is not ending anytime soon, though it may take a brief pause.

“I don’t think it’s the last series in the classic form,” she said, adding that the show could take a break for “a couple of years”.

When the series eventually returns, it could look slightly different.

Thomas hinted that changes within the NHS may push the story into a new setting, potentially moving the action to a small community hospital or GP practice in London’s East End.

The finale also left several characters heading in different directions.

Trixie has secured a powerful new role after gaining control of the Lady Emily Clinic for Women and Babies, while nurse Joyce Highland has accepted a new position at St Cuthbert’s hospital.

Meanwhile, newly married Rosalind Robinson and Cyril are preparing for the next chapter of their lives as they start a family.

With the Nonnatus team scattered, fans are now waiting to see how the beloved characters will reunite.

Despite the uncertainty, Thomas reassured viewers that most of the current cast are expected to appear in the upcoming film.

The franchise is also expanding with a new prequel series exploring the early years of Sisters Julienne, Monica Joan and Evangelina.

For now, Call the Midwife fans can expect plenty more stories from Poplar, even if the road ahead looks a little different.

Call the Midwife airs on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer.