“Magical” Hebridean Call the Midwife show to be broadcast to millions of viewers in prime time Christmas slot
27 November 2019
A Hebridean based Christmas special episode of the Call the Midwife will be broadcast to millions of viewers on BBC1 on Christmas Day, the BBC has confirmed.
Hebrides News understands the programme is pencilled in for a prime time early evening slot.
The “magical and amazing” Western Isles beat the exotic and warmer delights of Hong Kong as the location for the show, the producers revealed.
Shooting took place in different places in Lewis and Harris in April with the cast enthusing about the wonderful experience of the beautiful, wild and rugged landscapes.
Call the Midwife follows a group of midwives working in the mid-
The Christmas special propels the team out of their comfort zone to a “remote yet idyllic” Scottish island.
Mother Mildred (Miriam Margolyes) declares that God is calling her to set up a branch house in the Outer Hebrides.
They stay in a freezing cold, converted church and set about establishing an antenatal clinic while battling not only the weather, bleak terrain and single track roads, but disobedient livestock plus the suspicions of some islanders.
Exposed to the elements, they operate with limited access to water and electricity to help their patients.
Filming took place in South Harris and at the Eilean Glas lighthouse on Scalpay. Scenes were also shot at the Gearannan blackhouse village on Lewis with the crews based at the former Carloway School.
The group jetted in by a charter plane and stayed at the “amazing” Amhuinnsuidhe Castle on Harris.
Series creator Heidi Thomas said: “It was so magical filming the Christmas episode in the Outer Hebrides. It was possibly the most beautiful place I’ve ever been in my life.
“The Outer Hebrides didn’t immediately spring to mind,” she confessed.
“I briefly considered Hong Kong because our story could take us back there, but it wasn’t going to tick our magical Christmas box.
“In my research I discovered the role that triple duty nurses played in the Hebrides at that time. A triple duty nurse is a midwife, a district nurse and a health visitor all rolled into one which is exactly the skillset our midwives use in Poplar.”
She added: “The scenery itself, the coastline, the views, the rocks, even the trees and the vegetation were just magical.”
Pippa Harris, executive producer, was enthusiastic about the “extraordinary backdrop” of the Hebridean scenery.
Dubbed the most glamorous midwife at Nonnatus House, Trixie Franklin, played by actress Helen George, highlighted: “We captured some really beautiful moments.
“We’d go to work, and, on our way, we’d see loads of deer and eagles and that was just everyday by the end of filming. It was the most amazing place, the people were wonderful, and I think it’s a really interesting surrounding for us.”
The city nurses encounter a flock of sheep in Carloway
BBC / Neal St Productions