Call the Midwife confirms beloved character's return in Christmas special amid show future

For the first time, the BBC will air a two-part Christmas special. This year's festive trip to 1960s east London will consist of two 60-minute episodes rather than one 90-minute episode, complete with a Christmas cliffhanger.

Express Online gives an exclusive insight into a first look at the beloved show as the BBC recently hinted at the show's future after more than a decade on-screen.

The celebratory instalment follows an explosive season thirteen finale, which left fans desperate to know whether Matthew Aylward (played by Olly Rix) and his wife Trixie's (Helen George) marriage will survive.

With Helen George already revealing her character would return to Poplar, the 2024 Yuletide episode could be the perfect setting for viewers to find out what is next for the pair.

In the season 13 finale, Trixie appeared to be leaving the show after her husband Matthew announced he was moving to New York to rebuild his business. However, she decided to follow her heart and go to Matthew.

In the special, the midwives of Nonnatus House continue their work delivering babies while a funfair brings joy to Poplar. However, as the locals gear up for a carol concert, news of an escaped prisoner sparks fears following a series of break-ins.

The Turner children get swept up in the Blue Peter Christmas appeal to collect Dinky cars and scrap metal, while Trixie (Helen George) pays a brief visit to Nonnatus House and is thrilled to see her brother, Geoffrey (Christopher Harper).

Meanwhile, Miss Higgins (Georgie Glen) has her grandson Harry over for Christmas, Violet (Annabelle Apsion) organises a mince pie competition, and the Buckles' plans for Reggie's return are disrupted.

"The Autumn nights are closing in here at Call the Midwife, and that means there are just a few weeks of filming left on Series 14 before we start the engines on our countdown to the new Christmas Special," read a dedicated Instagram post.

"The team have been filming in our much-loved church location in London, and they've sent us this intriguing behind-scenes shot."

The Instagram post then announced that the period drama would officially return with a brand new Christmas special and the fourteenth season sometime in 2025.

The hotly anticipated two-part Christmas special will grace screens on BBC One during the holiday season.

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