It finally happened. After years of the same 90-minute formula, the Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2024 decided to break the rules. Instead of one cozy evening by the fire, we got a two-part event that left fans feeling... well, a lot of things.
Some loved the extra time. Others? They felt like the writers tried to cram a whole season's worth of trauma into two hours of "festive" television. It was bold. It was crowded. Honestly, it was a bit of a chaotic mess at times, but that's Poplar for you.
Why the Two-Part Format Changed Everything
For the first time ever, the BBC split the holiday magic into two 60-minute episodes. Why? Apparently, creator Heidi Thomas had too much story to tell.
We’ve usually got one central birth and maybe a lighthearted B-plot involving Fred Buckle in a ridiculous outfit. Not this year. The 2024 special felt like a high-speed train. It moved from the snowy streets of London to the gripping reality of the "Hong Kong Flu" epidemic of 1969.
The stakes were higher because the clock was ticking. If you felt breathless watching it, you weren't the only one.
The Hong Kong Flu Hits Hard
The year is 1969. While the rest of the world is looking toward the 70s, Poplar is struggling to breathe. Literally. The Hong Kong Flu serves as the grim backdrop for the entire special.
🔗 Read more: Anjelica Huston in The Addams Family: What You Didn't Know About Morticia
Dr. Turner, played by the ever-reliable Stephen McGann, is basically at his wit's end. Seeing him pedaling through the streets on a bicycle—because his kids accidentally mailed his car keys away in a scrap metal drive—was the kind of "classic Turner" comedy we needed. But the reality of the illness wasn't funny.
The show didn't shy away from the tragedy of the era. Dr. Turner discovers an elderly woman, Gertrude, who had died alone in her flat from the flu. It was a stark reminder of how isolation kills just as much as a virus does.
The Escaped Prisoner Plot
This was the part that divided the living room. Jock, an escaped prisoner from a jail in Lancashire, ends up in Poplar. Why? He’s Gertrude's son. He just wanted to see his mum.
- Rosalind Clifford (Natalie Quarry) is the one who finds him.
- She treats his wound in an abandoned building.
- She has to break the news that his mother is dead.
It was tense. It felt more like a crime drama than a midwifery show for a minute there. Some fans on Reddit complained that the subplot was "wasted" or "too dark," but it showcased Rosalind’s growth. She didn't call the cops immediately; she acted like a nurse first.
Trixie’s Return from New York
Let’s talk about Trixie. Everyone was worried she was gone for good after she headed to New York to be with Matthew.
💡 You might also like: Isaiah Washington Movies and Shows: Why the Star Still Matters
She’s back! Sort of.
Trixie returns for the holidays after a stopover in Portofino. She’s still the glamorous heart of the show, but there’s a noticeable weight on her shoulders. She’s not practicing midwifery in the States because of licensing issues, and you can tell it’s eating her alive.
When she jumps in to help Shelagh deliver a baby boy in a cramped, one-room flat, the old Trixie is back. But that ending? The flight cancellation that keeps her in London for Christmas was a classic "TV miracle" that felt a bit convenient, didn't it?
Love and Chaos for Nancy Corrigan
Nancy (Megan Cusack) finally got a bit of a romantic spark. Enter Roger Noble, an Irish medical salesman who is, frankly, quite charming.
They flirt. It’s cute. But Nancy is Nancy. She’s guarded. She’s got Colette to think about. When she eventually tells him the truth—that she had a baby at 16 and spent her childhood in an orphanage—it’s one of the most grounded moments in the whole special.
📖 Related: Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett: Why Fans Are Still Divided Over the Daimyo of Tatooine
It wasn't a fairy tale. It was real.
Real Historical Details You Might Have Missed
- The Blue Peter Appeal: The Turner kids are obsessed with collecting scrap metal and "dinky cars." This was a real-life 1969 charity drive that raised massive amounts for people in need.
- The Funfair: Poplar welcomes a traveling fair, which sounds fun until you realize the owners, the Currans, are also struggling. Alma Curran delivers her baby, Richard, while the fair is in town.
- Medical Accuracy: Sister Veronica deals with an "atonic hemorrhage" during a birth. This is when the uterus doesn't contract after delivery. It was a terrifying scene that reminded everyone why hospital births were becoming the new standard.
What Most People Got Wrong About the Ending
There’s been a lot of chatter about whether Nonnatus House is safe. Sister Julienne is still fighting the Board of Health.
The order now owns the deed to the house, thanks to a "generous benefactor" (wink wink, Matthew), but that doesn't mean the money problems are over. The special leaves the future of the clinic dangling. It wasn't a "happily ever after." It was a "we survived another year."
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're feeling a bit lost after that cliffhanger, here is how to prep for Season 14:
- Watch the "Behind the Scenes" on PBS: They released a 6-minute clip where the cast explains the jump into the 1970s.
- Mark Your Calendar: Season 14 traditionally kicks off in January (UK) and early spring (US).
- Check the Ratings: The special pulled in over 4 million viewers, so the show isn't going anywhere. We are confirmed through 1971 (Season 15).
The 2024 holiday special was a lot. It was messy, crowded, and occasionally heartbreaking. But in a world that feels increasingly disconnected, there's something about those blue cardigans that keeps us coming back. Even if they do make us cry into our mince pies every single year.