Cue the Midwife

IT has been a TV staple for Sunday night viewers across the cold winter months since 2012, but Call the Midwife will be on pause after the 15th series airs next year.

- BY NICOLA METHVEN TV Editor

Fans of the much-loved BBC1 drama should not fret though as production will switch to a prequel series and a standalone film for cinema release.

The prequel, set during the Blitz years of the Second World War, will feature younger versions of many favourite current characters, likely to include Sister Julienne, Sister Monica Joan, Dr Turner and Fred Buckle.

It could also feature Sister Evangelina, the character played by Pam Ferris until the nun's death during the fifth series.

The action will take place at least 15 years earlier than the debut series, based on the memoirs of real-life midwife Jennifer Worth, which was set in 1957.