Rebecca Gethings suggests a new Call the Midwife film set in 1972 is on the horizon, with Nonnatus House heading overseas
The long-running BBC drama Call the Midwife is preparing to expand beyond television, and actress Rebecca Gethings has offered one of the clearest hints yet about what fans can expect. Gethings, who joined the series in 2026 as Sister Veronica, has been central to a recent storyline in which her character wrestles with vocation and the desire for family.
During series 15 — which aired earlier this year — Sister Veronica temporarily left Nonnatus House, adopting the name Beryl while she considered whether to remain a nun or seek a different path. Her return to the community, and the emotional threads left unresolved, create fertile ground for a cinematic continuation.
That cinematic continuation appears to be a feature-length film reportedly set in 1972, transported to an international setting that promises fresh scenery and stakes for the ensemble. The drama ended its most recent run with Sister Julienne announcing a change of direction for Nonnatus House, describing the institution as becoming a house of prayer and charity while its members decide their futures.
Those remarks included mention of a likely year-long medical mission, which opens the story to remote postings and cross-cultural work. As a result, producers appear to be steering the franchise toward a global chapter rather than a domestic continuation.
What the film’s setting and mission might look like
At the close of the latest television series, Sister Julienne outlined three potential destinations that could host the new project: the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, British Columbia, or a remote part of Australia. These options were presented as part of a plan for a one-year medical mission, and they hint at the film’s visual and cultural palette — island communities, rugged Canadian landscapes, or outback isolation. Each choice would shift the narrative tone: community-based outreach in island territories, frontier-style medical work in Canada, or a sparsely populated Australian setting that tests the team’s resilience. Any location would bring its own historical and logistical considerations for a period piece set in 1972.
Potential narrative focuses
The film is expected to balance personal dilemmas with public service: Sister Veronica continues to question motherhood and vocation following her temporary departure, and fellow characters will likely confront their own crossroads as the mission unfolds. Key drama could stem from cultural exchange and medical challenges encountered abroad, with the midwives adapting their practice to new communities while the sisters discern whether to return home. The house of prayer and charity designation suggests spiritual reflection will remain central, so viewers can anticipate scenes that explore faith, duty, and personal desire against the backdrop of 1970s social change.
Who might appear and what we know about production
Though no official cast list for the film has been released, the programme’s closing notes make it plausible that the surviving core sisters — Sister Veronica, Sister Catherine (played by Molly Vevers), and Sister Julienne (played by Jenny Agutter) — will feature prominently. Regulars such as Doctor Turner (played by Stephen McGann) were also suggested as natural additions to a mission-based storyline. Production details remain under wraps: there is no confirmed filming schedule or premiere date yet, and the creative team has so far kept logistical information private while casting and location decisions are finalised behind the scenes.
Recent signals from the cast
Interest in the project was ramped up when Rebecca Gethings posted a short clip on social media that included a scene featuring the Beryl persona and Geoffrey Franklin, prompting questions from followers. The actress captioned the clip saying the scene was “Available now on BBC iPlayer xx,” and in response to a fan enquiring about a film she replied that “Yes, there will be one in the not too distant future, I believe,” which many took as confirmation that development is advanced. This informal exchange suggests the team feels confident about the project moving forward, even if formal announcements are yet to come.
Running alongside the film: prequel and series plans
In addition to the feature, the franchise is expanding in other directions: a prequel set during World War II is in the works, and the show’s creators have indicated a continuation of the main timeline with series 16. Together, these projects point to a multi-pronged approach that both explores the programme’s origins and pushes its characters into new environments. For devoted viewers, that means there will be fresh ways to follow familiar faces whether on television or in cinemas, as the Nonnatus House community adapts to new roles and places while keeping the show’s core themes intact.
Until the production issues a formal schedule, audiences should expect gradual updates via official BBC channels and cast social media. The combination of a period feature set in 1972, the teased overseas mission, and the ongoing television commitments makes this an ambitious phase for the franchise and one likely to reward long-term fans with new settings and emotional arcs for beloved characters.
