Fans of Call The Midwife have been long awaiting the start of the BBC show's thirteenth series.

But it's not long to wait now, as the show returns this Sunday (January 7) for its latest series following the Christmas Special.

Call the Midwife began in 2012 and was originally based on the books by Jennifer Worth and her time as a midwife in the East End of London during the 1950s.

The BBC show has since gained global audiences and has been renewed until at least 2026.

What to expect from series 13 of Call the Midwife

Series 13 is set to be just as emotional and moving as the series gone by but with some big changes for the show.

In the latest series, Call the Midwife is set to welcome two characters including the likes of pupil Midwives Joyce Highland and Rosalind Clifford.

However, there will be some familiar faces absent from the show, as Nurse Lucille played by Leonie Elliott previously announced she would not be back on the BBC show.

The star confirmed back in 2023 that she would not be returning after sharing a picture of a clipboard saying "farewell" and captioning the Instagram post "Over and out."

Away from new and missing characters, the new series of Call the Midwife will see Nonnatus House start its new training scheme.

As the Radio Times shares: "One of the new arrivals has a baptism of fire when she attends a home birth where complications place the lives of both mother and baby in danger.

"Sister Julienne cares for an expectant mother who has cerebral palsy, and Reggie comes up with a plan to bring the community together."

When is Call the Midwife on? How to watch

Call the Midwife will start on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, January 7 from 8pm until 9pm.

There will be a total of eight new episodes for fans to enjoy, each airing weekly at the same time on Sunday evenings.

When is series 13 of Call the Midwife set?

Series 13 of Call the Midwife is expected to be set in 1969, seeing new medical advances and big shifts in political views in the UK take shape.