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: 8/2/2026Network: BBC OneStatus: Continuing
Episode 6
star
9.60
150 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.

Episode 5
star
9.30
210 votes

#2 - 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.

Episode 7
star
9.30
210 votes

#3 - 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.

Episode 1
star
9.20
180 votes

#4 - 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:Apple TV
Episode 3
star
9.00
240 votes

#5 - 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
Episode 8
star
9.00
210 votes

#6 - 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.

Episode 3
star
9.00
30 votes

#7 - Episode 3

Season 7 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/4/2018

Nurse Crane and Trixie investigate when a mother abandons her children at the clinic, fearing they were being abused or neglected. Her husband admits that she has been behaving strangely lately, and when she is referred to a neurologist by Dr Turner, the truth proves devastating for the whole family. Christopher admits that Alexandra has been unhappy since his divorce, and Violet and Fred organise a beauty contest to raise money for charity. Valerie and Magda both sign up and quickly become close friends - leading to the sharing of a terrible secret.

Episode 6
star
8.90
240 votes

#8 - 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
Episode 8
star
8.90
210 votes

#9 - 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
Episode 4
star
8.60
240 votes

#10 - 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.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Episode 5
star
8.50
60 votes

#11 - 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
Watch Now:Apple TV
Episode 8
star
8.50
60 votes

#12 - 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
Episode 8
star
8.50
60 votes

#13 - 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
Episode 7
star
8.50
60 votes

#14 - Episode 7

Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/1/2015

A pair of school friends are unexpectedly reunited in the delivery room, and a mix up results in complications for both. Meanwhile, Barbara helps an elderly couple in need of assistance, and Patsy's secret relationship with Delia pains them both.

Episode 6
star
8.50
60 votes

#15 - Episode 6

Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/22/2015

Phyllis deals with a young diabetic woman who has fallen pregnant, Sister Mary Cynthia comes into contact with a group of gypsies, and Patsy organises a square dance to raise money for the Cubs' trip to Norfolk.

Directors: Dominic Leclerc
Writer: Heidi Thomas
Watch Now:Apple TV
Episode 3
star
8.50
60 votes

#16 - Episode 3

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/1/2015

The Nonnatus team rallies to support first-time parents Marie and Tony Amos when Tony is arrested for gross indecency with another male. Elsewhere, as Poplar is gripped by an outbreak of dysentery, Trixie undertakes her first official church duty since her engagement to Tom.

Episode 2
star
8.50
60 votes

#17 - Episode 2

Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/25/2015

Barbara faces her most challenging case to date when she treats first-time mother Abigail Bissette and the birth does not go according to plan. As Sister Julienne struggles with the increasing financial pressure on Nonnatus House, a mystery benefactor comes to the rescue. Elsewhere Sister Evangelina is unimpressed by newly arrived nurse Phyllis Crane.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Episode 7
star
8.50
240 votes

#18 - 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.

Episode 4
star
8.50
180 votes

#19 - 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:Apple TV
Episode 3
star
8.40
210 votes

#20 - Episode 3

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

Sister Julienne receives an SOS from Holloway Prison, whose usual maternity workers have been struck down by illness, and when she and Trixie step in to help, the nun puts her reputation on the line to prevent a heavily pregnant convict having her unborn baby taken away by social services. Shelagh faces heartache when a routine pregnancy check reveals something far more serious, Alec has a confession for Jenny and Fred takes the gang to the theatre to celebrate Chummy's birthday - only for the trip to end in disaster.

Directors: Juliet May
Writer: Liz Lake
Watch Now:Apple TV
Episode 5
star
8.40
210 votes

#21 - 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:Apple TV
Episode 6
star
8.30
210 votes

#22 - 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.

Episode 5
star
8.30
90 votes

#23 - Episode 5

Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/14/2016

Turner and Shelagh are at the forefront of the advances in medical technology, and begin a campaign to ensure better respiratory health for their patients. However, Timothy fears their own lifestyle is not good for them and tries to encourage his parents to give up smoking. Violet injures her back and is forced to leave the shop in Fred's hands, a decision that strengthens their relationship but which proves to have other, unforeseen consequences. A new mother's past comes to light, with devastating repercussions for her family. Nurse Crane draws on her own experiences to help her.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Episode 6
star
8.30
90 votes

#24 - 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:Apple TV
Episode 7
star
8.30
90 votes

#25 - Episode 7

Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/28/2016

The introduction of the contraceptive pill is welcomed by Dr Turner, but some of his colleagues are less keen on the idea. Patsy tries to help a bargee who wants to give birth among her own community rather than in a maternity ward. Nurse Crane deals with an emergency during a storm, and a familiar face returns to Nonnatus House - but has been changed by her time away.

Directors: Darcia Martin
Writer: Heidi Thomas
Watch Now:Apple TV