Call Midwife Adds Miriam Margoyles 2018 Christmas Special

Call the Midwife has confirmed that Miriam Margolyes will guest star in its 2018 Christmas Special, adding further star power to one of BBC One’s most cherished festive drama traditions.

The long-running series, set in London’s East End during the late 1950s and 1960s, has become a centrepiece of BBC One’s Christmas schedule, regularly drawing audiences of more than 9 million viewers. The addition of Margolyes, an actor renowned for her warmth, wit and emotional range, is expected to enhance the emotional depth of the feature-length festive episode.

Miriam Margolyes will play a character whose arrival at Nonnatus House coincides with a particularly challenging Christmas for the midwives and nuns. While full plot details are being kept under wraps, her role is described as pivotal to the special’s central storyline, with her character bringing both humour and poignancy to events unfolding in Poplar.

Margolyes is known for her ability to deliver deeply affecting performances across drama, comedy and family entertainment. Her extensive television credits include Blackadder, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries and numerous stage productions, while she is also familiar to global audiences through major film franchises. Her casting reflects Call the Midwife’s tradition of attracting high-calibre guest talent for its Christmas episodes.

The 2018 Christmas Special continues the show’s long-standing format of extended festive storytelling, often placing the characters in unusual or heightened circumstances. Previous Christmas episodes have featured international settings, major community crises and emotionally resonant one-off characters whose stories leave a lasting impression.

Call the Midwife creator Heidi Thomas has frequently spoken about the importance of the Christmas specials as an opportunity to explore broader themes while celebrating compassion, community and resilience. Margolyes’ casting aligns closely with that ethos, offering the potential for a character who embodies lived experience, wisdom and emotional complexity.

The special will feature the show’s established ensemble cast, including Vanessa Redgrave as the voice of mature Jennifer Worth, alongside favourites such as Sister Julienne, Nurse Phyllis Crane and the younger midwives of Nonnatus House. As ever, the Christmas episode is expected to balance joyful moments with difficult social realities.

BBC One has long relied on Call the Midwife as a cornerstone of its festive programming. Unlike many Christmas dramas that lean heavily into escapism, the series consistently blends celebration with social realism, addressing issues such as poverty, illness and inequality while maintaining a hopeful tone.

The 2018 Christmas Special will also act as a narrative bridge between seasons, setting up character arcs that continue into the following run. These episodes often introduce new figures whose influence resonates beyond the festive instalment, raising speculation that Margolyes’ character may have a particularly lasting impact.

Filming for the Christmas episode took place alongside production for the main series, with the show’s meticulously recreated period setting once again playing a crucial role. Costume design, music and production detail remain central to the show’s immersive appeal, especially during festive episodes that emphasise tradition and community.

The announcement of Margolyes’ involvement has been warmly received by fans, many of whom associate her performances with emotional storytelling and memorable character work. Her presence is expected to attract additional viewers beyond the show’s already substantial audience.