The BEST episodes of Call the Midwife

Every episode of Call the Midwife ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Call the Midwife!

Chronicles the lives of a group of midwives living in East London in the late-1950s to mid-1960s.

Last Updated: 12/2/2024Network: BBC OneStatus: Continuing
Episode 6
star
8.59
362 votes

#1 - Episode 6

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/24/2013

Doctor Turner is concerned by the spread of tuberculosis in the community, Jenny tries to repair a father and daughter's fractured relationship, and Sister Bernadette receives devastating news.

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Episode 7
star
8.58
422 votes

#2 - Episode 7

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/3/2013

Cynthia has to administer daily insulin injections to diabetic John Lacey, a bully who consistently belittles his wife Annie. When Annie’s beloved son Bob pays a visit, Annie gains the confidence to start to turn her life around. Jenny looks after a black mother to be, Monique, who is subjected to racial prejudice from her neighbours.

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Episode 5
star
8.52
415 votes

#3 - Episode 5

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/17/2013

Nonnatus House prepares for the annual summer fête, but when a baby show is announced, the girls must find a host for the proceedings. Meanwhile, a patient of Jenny's puts her life at risk, and Sister Bernadette remains troubled.

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Episode 8
star
8.52
404 votes

#4 - Episode 8

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/9/2014

Jenny is assigned to first-time mother Jeanette, who requires frequent visits during a protracted labour, and when she meets her patient's cousin, Philip, a new friendship begins to grow for the midwife. Meanwhile, Chummy worries about her mother's illness when she discovers Lady Browne has discharged herself from hospital.

Directors: Minkie Spiro
Writer: Heidi Thomas
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 8
star
8.48
438 votes

#5 - Episode 8

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/10/2013

The convent comes under threat of demolition. Fred's pregnant daughter and her young son come and stay with him. Jenny is wooed by a new love interest. Chummy and PC Noakes prepare for the arrival of their baby.

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Episode 3
star
8.39
467 votes

#6 - Episode 3

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/3/2013

Jenny is seconded to a short-staffed hospital in London, but grows increasingly reluctant to carry out her duties when she finds out she is working under intimidating surgeon Mr Tracey. Back in Poplar, the midwives are introduced to newcomer Jane and outspoken twins Meg and Mave Carter. The sisters are identical in every way, except one of them is now pregnant - forcing them to come to terms with the impact a baby will have on them.

Directors: Roger Goldby
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Episode 6
star
8.38
484 votes

#7 - Episode 6

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/19/2012

When Chummy's imperious mother visits and disapproves of Peter Noakes, Chummy defies her mother and has her wedding on her own terms. Senile Sister Monica Joan is arrested for shoplifting.

Directors: Jayme Payne
Writer: Heidi Thomas
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 1
star
8.38
422 votes

#8 - Episode 1

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/19/2014

After the closure of Nonnatus House, the nuns and midwives finally move into their new premises. Sister Winifred arrives from the Mother House. Jenny is worried about new mother Merle’s mental state and the welfare of her baby who isn't feeding properly. Dr Turner is worried that it could be something more serious.

Directors: Thea Sharrock
Writer: Heidi Thomas
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 8
star
8.30
361 votes

#9 - Episode 8

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/6/2016

Dr Turner is horrified to realise he may be partly to blame as the cause of the recent rise in birth deformities comes to light, and tries to prevent further cases. Sister Evangelina returns to work, but has clearly been affected badly by her stroke, and her health continues to deteriorate. A pregnant bride goes into labour during her wedding reception, while her mother is forced to come to terms with her grandchild being conceived out of wedlock.

Directors: Darcia Martin
Writer: Heidi Thomas
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 7
star
8.23
449 votes

#10 - Episode 7

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/2/2014

Sister Julienne calms an anxious new mother who has put her baby in danger. Jenny, seconded to The London, is impressed with the facilities, but soon begins to see cracks in the establishment. Chummy is upset to learn that her mother has walked out on her father, leaving Lady Browne penniless. As Dr. Turner and Shelagh continue the adoption process, they uncover a devastating secret.

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Episode 7
star
8.23
115 votes

#11 - Episode 7

Season 10 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/30/2021

While Nonnatus House struggles to come to terms with Nancy’s revelation, the housing conditions in Poplar reach crisis point. A birth causes a rift in a close-knit family.

Directors: Thomas Hescott
Writer: Heidi Thomas
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 4
star
8.21
467 votes

#12 - Episode 4

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/10/2013

A friend of Chummy's, Reverend Applebee-Thornton, comes to stay at Nonnatus House and soon gets on everyone's nerves. Meanwhile, Jenny and Sister Evangelina deliver a baby with spina bifida, and Sister Bernadette plays matchmaker.

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Episode 4
star
8.20
382 votes

#13 - Episode 4

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/9/2014

Jenny has an eventful few days, starting with a patient who as well as having herself to worry about, is also struggling to cope with her mother, an agoraphobic who hasn't been outside for at least 12 years. On top of that, Alec asks the midwife to accompany him to Brighton for the weekend, leaving her wondering if his intentions are strictly honourable. However, things soon take a tragic turn. Meanwhile, Shelagh joins the local choir to take her mind off her problems.

Directors: Juliet May
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 8
star
8.12
113 votes

#14 - Episode 8

Season 12 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/26/2023

Nonnatus House is abuzz with excitement as the countdown to Trixie and Matthew’s wedding begins. Whilst Sister Veronica has appointed herself in charge of organising the wedding gifts, Trixie’s brother, Geoffrey Franklin, arrives from Malta and immediately starts arranging the perfect hen do. However, the approaching nuptials cause stress levels to escalate as a catalogue of small and great disasters threaten to spoil the day. Dr Turner, Shelagh and Timothy are first on the scene of a fatal car crash. Dr Turner experiences the biggest test of his career as they race against time to save a precious life. Meanwhile, Nancy considers her future, and Sister Julienne hatches a plan to save Nonnatus House once and for all.

Directors: David Tucker
Writer: Heidi Thomas
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 8
star
8.11
509 votes

#15 - Episode 8

Season 6 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/12/2017

An unexpected turn of events leads to a hastily arranged wedding; Shelagh finally goes into labor; and the arrival of the birth control pill leads to unforeseen consequences.

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Episode 5
star
8.11
411 votes

#16 - Episode 5

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/16/2014

The nuns and midwives are busy preparing for Sister Evangelina's surprise jubilee celebrations, marking 50 years since she took her vows, but a face from the past threatens to ruin the party for the guest of honour. It's back to business when a young woman with Down's syndrome is brought in feeling unwell. To everyone's surprise, they discover she is six months pregnant, causing some of them to think the worst, and the staff are joined by new nurse Patsy, whose sense of humour and no-nonsense attitude make her an instant hit.

Directors: China Moo-Young
Writer: Heidi Thomas
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 1
star
8.11
260 votes

#17 - Episode 1

Season 8 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/13/2019

As spring arrives, Nonnatus House welcomes two new nuns, the experienced Sister Hilda and newly qualified Sister Frances, who must acclimatise to the changing East End. A complicated multiple birth tests the skills of some of the midwives to the limit, but Trixie has to face her fears and Valerie deals with a shocking case that arrives unexpectedly.

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Episode 6
star
8.09
159 votes

#18 - Episode 6

Season 9 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/9/2020

At the Turners, Shelagh receives a phone call from the Hong Kong adoption agency, which has the alarming news that someone from May's past has arrived in the UK and wants to see the little girl. Meanwhile, Valerie's cousin Maureen is heavily pregnant and hoping her baby will be born on Thursday, the same date as her father and grandfather. However, her due date isn't so soon and keen to bring on the birth, Maureen takes a big risk by secretly taking castor oil - with potentially disastrous consequences.

Directors: Noreen Kershaw
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 6
star
8.07
388 votes

#19 - Episode 6

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/21/2016

Poplar is rocked by a series of violent attacks on women, and a prostitute is too ashamed to report what she knows - but her actions lead to a dangerous man roaming the streets, with devastating consequences for the residents of Nonnatus House. A mother tries to keep her daughter's pregnancy a secret to avoid gossip, putting her life in danger. The Turners go on a long overdue holiday, but the weather ruins their plans.

Directors: Lisa Clarke
Writer: Heidi Thomas
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 8
star
8.06
175 votes

#20 - Episode 8

Season 9 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/23/2020

Sister Julienne decides it is time to take matters in hand when a letter arrives from the council saying that it will cut funding to Nonnatus House and no longer pay for the accommodation, and goes to see Violet at one of her open sessions as a local councillor. At clinic, Nurse Crane meets and cares for heavily pregnant Bonnie, who is not married but committed to the baby's father Eddie, while Kevin's dependency on pain relief is discovered by the team and Dr Turner and Miss Higgins must find a way to help him.

Directors: Syd Macartney
Writer: Heidi Thomas
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Episode 8
star
8.05
255 votes

#21 - Episode 8

Season 7 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/11/2018

As the nurses and midwives of Nonnatus House prepare to celebrate Sister Monica Joan's birthday, they face an influx of new patients when a nearby maternity home suddenly closes, leaving many expectant mothers in urgent need of support. Lucille treats a woman whose father has a long-hidden secret he feels he cannot hide any longer, while Tom and Nurse Crane struggle to move forward with their lives.

Directors: Syd Macartney
Writer: Heidi Thomas
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 8
star
8.05
277 votes

#22 - Episode 8

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/8/2015

Trixie and Sister Mary Cynthia help a deaf-and-dumb woman, and Barbara has a baffling case. Meanwhile, Fred's daughter arrives from Birmingham and interferes with his and Violet's engagement, and Delia has a proposal for Patsy.

Directors: Darcia Martin
Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 2
star
8.05
719 votes

#23 - Episode 2

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/22/2012

A new girl arrives Nonnatus House and finds it hard to earn the respect of Sister Evangelina. Jenny sees an unfamiliar darker side of life following an encounter with a runaway.

Writer: Heidi Thomas
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Episode 5
star
8.04
266 votes

#24 - Episode 5

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/15/2015

Sister Julienne's faith is challenged when a mother refuses medicine for her newborn baby. Dr Turner's involvement in the case forces him to face his own demons. Meanwhile, Barbara must work out a way to communicate with a pregnant Sylheti woman.

Directors: Dominic Leclerc
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Episode 6
star
8.04
424 votes

#25 - Episode 6

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/23/2014

Tom, the local curate, asks Trixie to join him for a day of cricket. She accepts, but the date is disastrous. Shelagh decides to talk to Dr. Turner about adopting a baby. Patsy, struggling to adapt to the unpredictable and chaotic life that midwifery brings, upsets a young mother in the clinic.

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