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Christmas Special 2016

Drama series about a group of midwives. The Nonnatus team face big challenges when they travel to Africa to try to save Hope Clinic, which is in danger of closure.

As Poplar enjoys celebrating a white Christmas, an unexpected SOS call from the Mother House interrupts festivities. Hope Clinic, a tiny mission hospital that has links to the Order is threatened with closure. A small working group of midwives and a cleric have been requested to travel out to South Africa to work at the clinic and assess its future viability. Sister Julienne swiftly procures the help of Sister Winifred, Trixie, Barbara, Nurse Crane, Dr Turner, Shelagh, Fred and Tom Hereward and they are soon transported to South Africa to try and save Hope Clinic. The African clinic poses many problems, and the team are both shaken and exhilarated by the challenges they are faced with: a water supply that's running dangerously low, no electricity and Dr Myra Fitzsimmonds, the clinic's doctor, who is suffering from a mystery illness. But the biggest hurdle is a neighbouring white farmer, who refuses access across his land for a new water pipe, which could save the clinic's future. The team dig deep and face these challenges head on, and achieve real success - a completed polio immunisation programme, several trips to save lives in remote locations and a caesarean performed by candlelight. In their courageous attempt to save Hope Clinic and make a difference to the lives of the people that use it, some of their own lives are changed forever.

Available now

1 hour, 30 minutes

Audio described

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:05

    Little Eva

    The Loco-Motion

  • 00:34

    The Shirelles

    Dedicated To The One I Love

  • 00:38

    Miriam Makeba

    Pata Pata

  • 01:21

    Clay Aiken

    I Will Carry You

Credits

Role Contributor
Sister Julienne Jenny Agutter
Nurse Phyllis Crane Linda Bassett
Sister Monica Joan Judy Parfitt
Trixie Franklin Helen George
Sister Mary Cynthia Bryony Hannah
Shelagh Turner Laura Main
Patsy Mount Emerald Fennell
Nurse Barbara Gilbert Charlotte Ritchie
Sister Winifred Victoria Yeates
Tom Hereward Jack Ashton
Dr Patrick Turner Stephen McGann
Fred Buckle Cliff Parisi
Angela Turner Alice Brown
Timothy Turner Max Macmillan
Delia Busby Kate Lamb
Violet Buckle Annabelle Apsion
S.A.P.S Sergeant Francois Coertze
S.A.P.S Constable Dries Botha
Sister Edith Amy Anley
Sister Gertrude Andrea Dondolo
Dr Myra Fitzsimmonds Sinead Cusack
Roza Sivenkosi Gubangxo
Grandmother Phumla Stamper
Innocent Vusumzi Ntshanga
Fezeka Nicholate Ngongoshe
Constance Zanele Radau
Abel Thando Guma
Matthias Shane Soetland
Mr Starke Danny Keogh
Roza's Mother Jennifer Pau
Voice of Mature Jennifer Worth Vanessa Redgrave
Writer Heidi Thomas
Executive Producer Pippa Harris
Executive Producer Heidi Thomas
Producer Ann Tricklebank
Director Syd Macartney
Production Company Neal Street Productions

Broadcast

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