Call the Midwife
Call the Midwife is a critically acclaimed British period drama television series that began in 2012, offering an intimate look into the lives of a group of nurse-midwives and Anglican nuns working in the impoverished East End of London. Starting in the late 1950s and progressing through the 1960s and 70s, the show centers on the daily challenges of childbirth and healthcare within a community grappling with evolving social issues, poverty, and medical advancements. It is renowned for its realistic portrayal of historical contexts, exploring topics such as public health, women's rights, and social welfare without shying away from difficult themes. The series has garnered praise for its compassionate storytelling and its ensemble cast, appealing to a mature audience interested in historical drama, social commentary, and stories of human resilience.
Concerns
Scary & Intense Content
HighCall the Midwife contains frequent intense and emotionally disturbing content. This includes realistic portrayals of medical emergencies, difficult and sometimes tragic childbirth outcomes (such as infant and maternal deaths), and the profound suffering caused by poverty, disease, and social injustices. While not horror, the emotional weight and realistic graphic medical situations can be deeply unsettling.
Scenes of childbirth can be graphic and distressing, featuring blood, pain, and the tragic loss of infants or mothers, such as 'disturbing moments, such as gray, lifeless infants and an abortion depicted in a realistic manner.' The series consistently features storylines involving severe social hardships and debilitating medical conditions, including outbreaks of diseases like tuberculosis and polio, as well as the long-term effects of conditions like spina bifida and thalidomide, all presented with considerable emotional intensity.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe series features significant LGBTQ storylines, exploring same-sex relationships and the historical discrimination faced by queer individuals. These themes are integrated into the narrative through both recurring characters and episodic plots, reflecting the social realities of the mid-20th century in Britain. The content is presented with a focus on empathy and understanding, highlighting the struggles for acceptance.
Nurse Patsy Mount's lesbian relationship with Delia Busby is a prominent and evolving storyline, beginning in Season 4 and continuing through subsequent seasons, showcasing their hidden romance and eventual decision to live together in Scotland in the 2018 Holiday Special. Earlier in Season 4, the series depicts the arrest of Tony Amos, a married expectant father, for 'gross indecency' due to homosexual acts, which were illegal at the time. He is subjected to hormone treatment, and his family endures severe social ostracization and homophobic vandalism.
Violence
MediumThe show realistically portrays various forms of violence, including domestic abuse and the visceral realities of childbirth, which can involve significant pain, blood, and medical complications. While not gratuitous, the depictions of harm, both physical and emotional, are often intense and can be distressing. These elements serve to underscore the harsh living conditions and medical challenges of the era.
Childbirth scenes are often explicit in their portrayal of pain, blood, and medical emergencies, including stillbirths or maternal deaths. One such instance includes the graphic depiction of 'gray, lifeless infants' and discussions of hemorrhages. The series also features severe domestic violence, as exemplified in Season 12, Episode 3, where Sandy is raped by her husband Joe, with her young daughter Ann Marie hearing the traumatic event from another room.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe series explores romantic relationships among its characters and delves into mature themes such as prostitution, incest, adultery, and rape. While explicit sexual acts or nudity are not depicted, the show realistically portrays the emotional and social consequences of sex and intimate relationships, particularly within the challenging historical context of the East End. The focus remains on the human stories and societal impact.
Couples' interactions often imply sexual activity but never show it explicitly; the narrative prioritizes the resulting emotional and social dynamics. Early in the series, characters involved in prostitution, like Mary in Season 1, Episode 2, are depicted. She becomes pregnant and faces a potential forced abortion by her pimp, highlighting the dangerous realities of the time. Jenny Lee herself struggles with feelings for a married man in early seasons.
Substance Use
MediumThe series accurately portrays substance use prevalent in its historical setting, primarily smoking and alcohol consumption. Characters are regularly shown engaging in these activities, and storylines frequently address the detrimental effects of alcoholism and other substance-related issues on individuals and their families. The show does not glorify substance abuse but presents its realities and consequences.
Characters are often seen smoking and drinking alcohol, reflecting the widespread social habits of the 1950s and 60s. The show explores the devastating impact of alcoholism on families, showcasing how it contributes to poverty and ill health within the community, such as families struggling due to a parent's heavy drinking.
Profanity
LowProfanity in 'Call the Midwife' is generally mild and infrequent. The language used is consistent with the show's British broadcasting slot, which is considered family viewing. Any stronger language is typically used in moments of heightened stress or emotion but does not constitute a regular or pervasive element of the dialogue.
The show does contain some mild profanity, but it is not prevalent throughout the dialogue. The use of language remains clean and generally free of offensive terms, aligning with its 8 PM UK broadcast time, which has strict rules on what is appropriate.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere is no depiction of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, spells, or any supernatural elements within 'Call the Midwife'. The series is grounded in historical realism and focuses on the social, medical, and personal challenges faced by its characters and the community.
No instances or mentions of witchcraft or occult practices were found in the comprehensive search of parental guidance and content reviews for 'Call the Midwife (2012)'. The narrative is strictly secular and historical in its approach to the challenges faced by the midwives.
Disrespect & Rebellion
LowWhile 'Call the Midwife' generally promotes values of community, empathy, and respect, instances of defiance or disagreement with authority figures do occur. These situations typically involve patients challenging medical advice or societal norms, or professional disagreements among the midwives and nuns. Such conflicts are usually portrayed with an emphasis on resolution or the consequences of the actions rather than celebrating rebellion.
Newer, younger midwives may occasionally question the more traditional methods or strict rules of the older nuns or senior doctors, presented as professional and evolving medical practice rather than outright disrespect. For example, Sister Evangelina is noted as a 'harsh critic' of new midwives. Patients sometimes resist advice or social expectations (e.g., hiding pregnancies or seeking illegal abortions), but these acts are often driven by desperation and the narrative explores the challenging circumstances leading to such defiance.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowChristian faith, particularly Anglicanism through the nuns of Nonnatus House, is central to 'Call the Midwife' and is generally portrayed in a positive and respectful manner. The nuns' faith is shown as integral to their vocation, compassion, and tireless service to the community. While the show addresses controversial topics like abortion, and some viewers have noted a perceived shift in narrative on such issues, the overarching depiction of Christian characters and their values remains positive.
The nuns' daily lives involve prayer, and their mission of service to the impoverished East End is explicitly rooted in their Anglican faith and commitment to God. For instance, nuns are shown chanting a prayer from Compline, followed by their intervention to help a young prostitute named Mary. While the show depicts the debate around abortion and its eventual legalization, drawing some criticism from certain Christian perspectives for potentially normalizing it in later seasons, it does not overtly mock or insult Christian beliefs. The nuns consistently uphold their pro-life stance.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Aged 14+ with parental guidance. The show consistently tackles mature and often heavy themes including domestic violence, sexual abuse, substance abuse, and complex medical situations like infant and maternal mortality, and difficult births. While explicit sexual acts are not shown and profanity is mild, the realistic and emotionally intense portrayal of suffering and social hardships warrants a mature audience. Parental co-viewing and discussion are highly recommended to process the historical context and sensitive content.
Additional Notes
The series often explores complex social issues (e.g., poverty, racism, disability, mental health) that were prevalent in post-war Britain. These are handled with sensitivity and historical accuracy, making the show an educational tool for understanding social history and healthcare evolution. Viewers should be prepared for themes of human suffering and death, which are integral to the medical drama genre and the historical period depicted.
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