It’s 1970. The swinging sixties are a memory, and Poplar is staring down a decade of strikes, flares, and a lot of industrial smog. Honestly, if you thought the drama at Nonnatus House was going to settle down after that massive Season 13 cliffhanger, you clearly haven’t been paying attention for the last decade. Call the Midwife Season 14 didn't just bring the babies; it brought the kind of social upheaval that makes the early years of the show look like a Sunday picnic.
Fans were biting their nails over Helen George’s future as Trixie Franklin. Let’s be real, the idea of her just vanishing to New York to be a "corporate wife" to Matthew Aylward felt wrong. It felt like a betrayal of everything Trixie stands for. Thankfully, the writers agreed. While Matthew stayed in the States trying to fix his crumbling finances, Trixie came back to the East End, sans husband, and stepped into a management role that honestly, she was born for.
The Trixie Dilemma and the New Nonnatus Dynamic
The big question everyone had was about Olly Rix. It’s been confirmed: he’s out. Matthew is effectively a ghost in Season 14. Trixie is back in the habit—well, not the literal nun habit, but the midwifery uniform—and she’s brooding. You can’t blame her. One minute she’s Lady Aylward with a fancy flat, and the next she’s back in her old bedroom at Nonnatus House, popping caffeine pills to stay awake because her marriage is a long-distance disaster.
But it wasn't just about the marital drama. Season 14 took a hard look at the changing face of British healthcare. We saw Sister Julienne (the legendary Jenny Agutter) finally growing a bit of a backbone against the Board of Health. The NHS is moving toward hospital births, and the "home birth" mission of Nonnatus is under fire. It’s a bit of a "adapt or die" situation.
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- Trixie’s Return: Back in Poplar, managing the house, but struggling with the pill-popping habit she picked up during her breakdown.
- The New Face: We got Sister Catherine (Molly Vevers), a Scottish postulant who is basically a walking library. She’s studious, she’s sharp, and she’s training as a midwife while preparing for her vows.
- Cyril’s Path: He didn't just stay a social worker; he got involved with the Isle of Dogs "independence" protests. The politics of the 70s are messy, and Cyril is right in the thick of it.
Why Season 14 Hit Differently
Some people say the show is getting too "modern." I get that. When we started in the 50s, it was all gas and air and bicycles. Now we have "Women’s Lib" protests and the shadow of the 1971 protests looming. But that’s the point, isn't it? Poplar is changing.
One of the most gut-wrenching storylines in Season 14 involved a 14-year-old girl named Paula. Her family, deeply religious, actually believed her pregnancy was an "immaculate conception" because they couldn't face the reality of what was happening. It was classic Heidi Thomas—taking a heavy, controversial topic and wrapping it in so much empathy that you’re crying before the first commercial break.
And then there was the Miss Higgins bombshell. We found out in Season 13 she had a son, Victor, whom she gave up in India. In Season 14, we saw the aftermath of that brief, tragic reunion. The show doesn't just let these things go. It explores the grief of a woman who spent her life being the "perfect" secretary while carrying a massive secret.
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The Cast: Who Stayed and Who Left?
Basically, everyone you love is still there, except for Olly Rix.
- The Nuns: Sister Julienne, Sister Monica Joan (who is still a chaotic delight), and Sister Veronica.
- The Turners: Dr. Turner and Shelagh are still the moral compass of the show. Timothy is growing up, and the younger kids (Angela, May, Teddy) are getting actual dialogue now.
- The Midwives: Nancy, Joyce, and Rosalind.
- The Buckles: Fred and Violet are still the heart of the community, even though Violet’s job as Mayor is putting a massive strain on their "quiet" life.
The biggest surprise? Sister Hilda (Fenella Woolgar) actually made a return for the finale. It was a one-off, but seeing her back in the habit brought back all those mid-series feels.
Looking Ahead: Is it Ending?
There were rumors floating around that the show was getting axed. People were panicking on Reddit. Let's put that to rest right now. The BBC has already greenlit Season 15 (set in 1971) and Season 16. We aren't going anywhere. In fact, the "Midwife Universe" is expanding.
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There’s a prequel series in the works set during World War II, which is going to be fascinating. Imagine Nonnatus House during the Blitz. Plus, there's a movie coming out, reportedly set in 1972 and taking some of our favorites overseas. Rumor has it they might be heading to Hong Kong for a "mercy mission."
What You Should Do Now
If you've missed the linear broadcast, Call the Midwife Season 14 is currently streaming on BBC iPlayer in the UK and PBS in the US. If you’re a Netflix subscriber, you’ll have to wait until September 2025 to see the full season drop there.
Honestly, the best way to prep for the upcoming Season 15 (which starts January 2026) is to go back and re-watch the Season 13 finale. You need to remember exactly how Joyce’s past—or should I say Claudine Warren’s past—caught up with her. That blackmail plot with her husband Sylvester isn't over yet, and it's going to play a huge role in the upcoming episodes. Keep an eye on the official social media accounts for those "naughty" behind-the-scenes photos; they're usually the first hint we get about who is filming and where.