Look, we've all been there. It’s a rainy Tuesday, you need a good cry, and nothing hits quite like the bicycling midwives of Poplar. But finding exactly where can i watch Call the Midwife depends entirely on whether you’re sitting in a flat in London or a ranch in Texas. It’s messy. One season is here, the next is there, and suddenly you’re staring at a "content not available in your region" screen while holding a box of tissues.
Let’s be real.
The show is a global powerhouse, yet the streaming rights are a tangled web of licensing deals that change faster than a newborn's diaper. If you're in the UK, it’s straightforward. If you’re in the US, it’s a bit of a scavenger hunt between PBS and Netflix. And if you’re trying to catch the most recent Christmas special? Well, that’s its own saga.
The BBC iPlayer Monopoly (and why it’s the gold standard)
If you happen to be in the United Kingdom, you’ve got it easy. The BBC is the mother ship. Every single episode, from the very first time Jenny Lee stepped into Nonnatus House to the latest series, lives on BBC iPlayer. It’s free—assuming you’ve paid your TV license.
The beauty of iPlayer isn't just the price tag. It's the speed. When a new series drops, usually in January, the episodes land there the moment they air on BBC One. No waiting months for a "global release." You get the gritty 1960s medical drama in real-time. For everyone else outside the UK, this is where the frustration starts.
Where can i watch Call the Midwife in the United States?
Stateside, the situation is... complicated. For years, Netflix was the go-to. It still is, mostly. Currently, Netflix hosts the vast majority of the series, but there’s always a lag. You’re usually looking at a year-long delay between the UK broadcast and the Netflix US upload.
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But wait. There’s a catch.
Netflix doesn't always have the newest season. That honor usually goes to PBS. Because Call the Midwife is a co-production with PBS, they get the first bite of the apple in America. You can stream the latest episodes on the PBS app or via the PBS Passport member benefit. If you’re the kind of person who can’t wait a year to see what happens to Trixie, you basically have to support your local public television station.
The Netflix vs. PBS Tug-of-War
It’s a weird dynamic. Netflix has the "archive" feel. It’s where people go to binge the 1950s-era episodes when Chummy was still around (we miss you, Miranda Hart). But PBS is the "newsroom" for the show.
- PBS Passport: Usually carries the most recent series for a limited window.
- Netflix US: Generally has Seasons 1 through 12, with Season 13 arriving much later.
- YouTube TV / Live Streamers: If you have a live TV cord-cutting service, you can often DVR it when it airs on your local PBS station.
What about the Christmas Specials?
This is where people get tripped up. The Christmas special is the pivot point of every season. In the UK, it airs on Christmas Day. In the US, PBS usually airs it on Christmas Day too. However, these specials sometimes get categorized differently on streaming platforms. On some services, they are listed as "Episode 0" of the upcoming season. On others, they are standalone movies. If you're searching where can i watch Call the Midwife and you can’t find the holiday episode, check the very beginning of the next season's list. It’s probably hiding right there in plain sight.
International Streaming: Canada and Australia
Canada is a bit of a mix. CBC Gem is often the hero here. They’ve carried the show historically, but availability fluctuates. Much like the US, Netflix Canada carries the back catalog, but the "new" stuff often requires a different subscription or a wait.
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Down under in Australia, ABC iview and BINGE have been the heavy hitters. Foxtel also keeps a grip on the rights. It’s honestly a bit of a headache for Aussies because the show moves around. One year it’s on one platform, the next it’s moved to a premium tier. If you’re in Australia, your best bet is checking the "JustWatch" app daily because, honestly, who can keep up?
Buying vs. Streaming: Is it worth the digital purchase?
Sometimes, you just don't want to deal with the "disappearing content" act. Shows leave Netflix all the time. If you’re a superfan, buying the seasons on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Vudu is the only way to ensure your favorite episodes don't vanish into a licensing black hole.
Yes, it costs money. Usually about $20 per season in HD. But there’s a peace of mind in knowing you own the 1963 polio outbreak episode whenever you need a perspective shift on life. Plus, the digital purchase versions often include "Behind the Scenes" featurettes that you won't find on Netflix. These little snippets with Heidi Thomas (the creator) explaining the real-world history behind the scripts are gold for history buffs.
The VPN "Gray Area"
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. A lot of people use VPNs to access BBC iPlayer from outside the UK. While this technically works, it’s a violation of the BBC’s Terms of Use. The BBC is getting much better at blocking known VPN IP addresses. You might get halfway through an episode only for the screen to go black with a "proxy detected" error. It’s a cat-and-mouse game that, frankly, is often more trouble than it’s worth when PBS provides a perfectly legal (and high-quality) alternative in the States.
Why the show is worth the hunt
It’s easy to dismiss Call the Midwife as just a "nice" show. It isn't. It’s brutal. It covers illegal abortion, racism, the thalidomide scandal, and the crushing poverty of the post-war East End. The reason people are so desperate to find where can i watch Call the Midwife is that it manages to be incredibly hopeful despite being centered on some of the darkest parts of human experience.
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The acting is top-tier. Even after original cast members like Jessica Raine left, the show found its soul in characters like Sister Monica Joan (played by the legendary Judy Parfitt). You aren't just watching a medical procedural; you’re watching the evolution of the British Welfare State through the eyes of women.
A Quick Cheat Sheet for 2026 Viewing
If you're looking for the path of least resistance right now, follow this:
- For the newest episodes (Series 13 and 14): Go to PBS Passport (US) or BBC iPlayer (UK).
- For a massive binge-watch: Netflix is your best friend in most territories.
- For the "I want to own it forever" crowd: Buy the "Complete Series" DVD sets or digital bundles on Amazon. Just be careful with DVD regions—a UK DVD won't play in a US player without a region-free machine.
Step-by-Step Action Plan
To get your Call the Midwife fix immediately, do this:
- Check your local library. Seriously. Many libraries have the DVD sets, and some offer "Hoopla," a digital streaming service where you can borrow seasons for free with your library card.
- Download the PBS App. Even if you aren't a "Passport" member, they often leave the most recent episode up for free for a few weeks after it airs.
- Verify your Netflix region. If you're traveling, the available seasons will change. Don't be surprised if the episode you were watching in New York isn't available when you land in Paris.
- Sign up for the "Call the Midwife" official newsletter. It sounds nerdy, but they send out "Where to Watch" alerts whenever a new season is about to premiere globally, which saves you the frantic Google searching later.
The show is a masterpiece of social history and empathy. It’s worth the three different app downloads it takes to find it. Just make sure you have the tea ready and the tissues nearby—you’re going to need them.