Monday, December 25, 9 PM

This year's Call the Midwife Holiday Special airs on WHRO TV 15 on Christmas night. Written by Heidi Thomas, the holiday special opens with Poplar under a thick blanket of snow, as the midwives face the challenge of the coldest winter in the United Kingdom in 300 years. That winter — commonly referred to as the Big Freeze of 1963 — saw temperatures plunge to record lows; the whole country was brought to a standstill due to the severe weather. Battling snow, ice, power shortages and frozen pipes, the midwives strive to provide the best possible care for their patients.

The adverse weather causes major disruption across Poplar as roads become blocked, pipes start to freeze and the milk float struggles to make its deliveries. Trixie’s holiday with Christopher is cancelled due to the snow, and Valerie helps Linda and Selwyn, an unmarried couple living in a caravan, prepare for their baby. As the labor progresses, unforeseen complications knock Valerie’s confidence in her ability as a midwife. Elsewhere, the freezing weather takes the life of Dr. Turner’s patient, Percy Tillerson. Sister Julienne must inform the family of his death and uncovers an uncomfortable truth about the chirpy late Percy. Anita Dobson (EastEnders, Doctors) guest stars as Mabel Tillerson, Percy’s wife.

 

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