How a nursing convent’s memoirs became a television phenomenon

Cultures · Published 1 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the struggling East End of London, a group of midwives and nuns managed between 80 and 100 births every month. This intense reality, captured in the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, was transformed into one of the BBC's most successful modern dramas.

Created by Heidi Thomas, the series Call the Midwife is based on the life and writings of Jennifer Worth, who served with the Community of St. John the Divine. This Anglican nursing order, which traces its origins back to 1849, operated a convent known as Nonnatus House in the Poplar district of London. The show’s narrative follows the professional and personal lives of midwives like Jenny Lee as they navigate the medical and social challenges of a deprived urban community.

The series serves as a historical window into the shifting landscape of mid-20th century Britain. Spanning the late 1950s through the 1970s, the storylines reflect profound societal changes, from the post-war 'Baby Boom' and the introduction of the contraceptive pill in 1961 to the legalisation of abortion in 1967. It also documents the arrival of new medical technologies, such as the use of gas and air for pain relief in 1958 and the development of the ventouse in 1968.

Beyond medical progress, the drama tackles heavy social themes including the impact of the thalidomide scandal, the effects of the 1960s housing crisis, and the complexities of racial prejudice and immigration. By weaving together the daily duties of the midwives with significant historical events—ranging from the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969 to the women's liberation movement of the 1970s—the series provides a nuanced look at how large-scale political and cultural shifts directly influenced the lives of local Londoners.

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