❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Call the Midwife wins at the National Television Awards 2026 amid end of an era for BBC staple

The series took home the Returning Drama award for the second year in a row.

Helen George as Trixie Aylward and Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne in Call the Midwife. They are weighing two babies, with the others stood beside them.

BBC / Neal Street Productions / Olly Courtney

Published: Tuesday, 8 September 2026 at 9:31 pm

Subscribe to Radio Times: 10 weeks for £10, including the Christmas double issue

For the second year in a row, Call the Midwife won big at the National Television Awards, taking home the Returning Drama award.

Ad

The long-running BBC series was up against other nominees including Blue Lights, Bridgerton, Stranger Things and Trigger Point, but ultimately won out in the public vote.

Call the Midwife's win was announced during the NTAs 2026 awards ceremony, which took place at the O2 in London tonight, and was hosted by Joel Dommett.

Accepting the award, creator Heidi Thomas said winning was "so special", and thanked production company Neal Street Productions and the BBC.

She then said that "Call the Midwife has always been common endeavour, something we’ve done together," and that over the year "we have become a family".

"Connection in a fractured world like this, connection and togetherness, is so rare," she added.

A bride and groom stand facing each other and holding hands during a wedding ceremony. The bride wears a white dress and veil, and the groom wears a grey suit with a white boutonniere. An officiant stands behind them at a desk with an open register, as soft light filters through tall lace-curtained windows.

Natalie Quarry as Rosalind Clifford and Zephryn Taitte as Cyril Robinson in Call the Midwife. BBC / Neal Street / Olly Courtney

The win comes at a time of change for Call the Midwife, as the mainline series has gone on a break after its 15th season, to make way for a movie and a prequel series.

The prequel, titled Call the Midwife: Sisters in Arms, will be set during World War Two and will follow younger versions of Sister Evangelina, Sister Monica Joan and Sister Julienne.

The trio will be played by Amy Booth-Steel (Coronation Street, Doctor Who), Helen Schlesinger (Ted Lasso, Albion) and Helena Wilson (The Hills of California, The Custom of the Country), while the series will be narrated by original cast member Jenny Agutter as older Sister Julienne.

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

It is set to debut as a three-part special as part of the BBC's festive schedule this year, although the broadcaster has also confirmed that further details about a full-length series will be announced in due course.

Little is currently known about the movie, but we do know that it will be set in the 1970s and in an "unfamiliar landscape".

Add Call the Midwife to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Ad

Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of James Hibbs, smiling against a lime green background.

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

Ad

Ad

Get the Christmas double issue

Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.

Subscribe by 3 Dec

Loading...

Ad

Loading...