THE BBC has shared an exciting update about the latest series of period drama Call the Midwife.
The show’s official Instagram account posted a picture which was “14 years in the making” along with a lengthy update about filming for the upcoming series.
A behind-the-scenes photo from the set of Call the Midwife posted on social media confirmed that filming began back in April.
Another post has now revealed that the BBC has completed filming half of its upcoming episodes.
As a result, filming has briefly paused for a short summer break with many cast members, including Helen George who plays Trixie, taking a well-deserved summer holiday.
“We are now all back filming series 14 after our customary summer break. It was our annual leave for the CTM team in the middle of the long year’s filming, to allow us to see family and friends, book a holiday, and generally let our hair down!” the caption explained.
However, the Instagram post revealed that Stephen McGann, who plays Dr Patrick Turner, was too busy to take a trip. Instead, he partook in an exciting moment that was years in the making.
Alongside a picture of Stephen with his son Dominic, who he shares with partner Heidi Thomas, and his on-screen son Timothy (Max Macmillan) smiling happily together – albeit with Stephen looking a little overwhelmed.
“Call the Midwife Summer Recess: Real son meets fake son!” the caption read.
The post continued: “For Stephen McGann (Dr Turner), there was no time for a holiday. He and his partner Heidi Thomas (Writer & Executive Producer) had something rather special to take care of … their son Dominic’s wedding!
“It was a wonderful occasion by all accounts, and our Call the Midwife partied the night away after the ceremony!
“But we were amused to receive this particular photograph Stephen sent us from the after-party, because – for those familiar with our previous Call the Midwife posts – it marks a moment that has been 14 long years in the making!
“It is the moment when Stephen’s real son FINALLY met Max Macmillan, the actor who plays his screen son Timothy!”
It seems that throughout 14 years of filming Dominic and Timothy had never met in real life.
“Throughout the long filming of CTM, these two have been exchanging pleasantries with each other via Stephen – referring to each other as ‘real son’ and ‘fake son.’ But they’d never actually met face to face until now.”
“Stephen thought it worth recording the moment for posterity with a selfie – but his look of confusion is understandable, given the fact that his two worlds have now, finally, collided!”
Call The Midwife first came onto the airwaves in 2012 and has been seen by millions. But what is it about?
Series one: Set in early 1957 and it explored the ‘Baby Boom generation, which included themes of poverty and post-war immigration.
Series two: Set in 1958 and it showed gas and air being introduced for pain relief for the first time. It ended with the Nonnatus House building being condemned.
Series three: Set in 1959 and it depicted gruesome conditions such as cystic fibrosis, polio and it showed the midwives in the context on prisons.
Series four: Set in 1960 under the threat of nuclear warfare and the emergency response guidelines issued by the local Civil Defence Corp. Other themes included LGBT rights, and syphilis.
Series five: Set in 1961 and it shows the care of patients with conditions such as Typhoid and strokes. We also saw the effects of thalidomide, the introduction of the contraceptive pill.
Series six: Set in 1962 and domestic violence was at the centre of the season. Other themes included FGM (female genital mutilation), mental health issues and interracial marriage. It was also notable for the introduction of Reggie, a recurring character with Down Syndrome.
Series seven: Set in 1963 and we see Nurse Lucille Anderson for the first time. We also see the show address conditions such as dementia, huntington’s disease, leprosy and meningitis
Series eight: Set in 1964 and it bravely covered the issue of abortion, which was not legal for another three years in 1967. Sickle cell disease, cleft lip, cleft palate and intersex people also featured.
Series nine: Diptheria was at the centre of the ninth instalment in 1965, and it was notable for featuring a blind expectant mother. But the role of Nonnatus House within the community also came into question.
Series ten: Set in 1966, Nonnatus House has a rival in the form of the private Lady Emily Clinic in Mayfair. PKU, diabetes and the controversy surrounding abortion were central themes.
Series eleven: Set in 1967 amid the housing crisis and a scabies epidemic. The show was rocked by a train crash right next to Nonnatus House.
After enjoying their time off, Stephen, Max and the rest of the Call the Midwife cast will return to work filming the remaining episodes – the first of which to hit screens will be the upcoming Christmas Special.
Series 14 will then premiere in 2025.
While not too much is known about the upcoming series, it has been confirmed that the show will reach a major milestone as it enters a new decade.
“We begin our filming season in Christmas 1969, before we move on to the new year, and our new series 14 episodes. This yuletide marks a poignant turning point – as it’s the last time we’ll be filming in the swinging sixties! Next stop: the supersonic seventies!!!” a Facebook post previously confirmed.
All episodes of Call the Midwife are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
