Call The Midwife fans were left delighted at the end of this year's Christmas special, when the start date for the new series was confirmed.
After the latest series of the much loved drama saw the residents of Poplar sent reeling by a horrifying train crash, which left the lives of several characters hanging in the balance, Call The Midwife was once again given prime position in the BBC's Christmas Day schedule, arriving on screen right before a gripping visit to EastEnders.
The Call The Midwife Christmas special was everything fans had been hoping for, with the heartwarming talent show Poplartunity Knocks one of the highlights, along with a return for popular character Trixie, which ended in a proposal, as Matthew popped the question in the closing moments of the 90 minute episode.
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And, as credits rolled, there was more reason for fans to celebrate, as the BBC announcer informed them that the new series of Call The Midwife would be starting on New Year's Day at 8pm. Viewers quickly flooded Twitter with reactions to the news and the episode itself, with one posting: "I love love love Call The Midwife so damn much! It isn’t Christmas without it! Such beautiful, heart wrenching story telling, I cannot wait for the new series!" A second tweeted: "I loved the 'Call the midwife Christmas Special episode ' there just wasn't enough Sister Monica Joan in it, I hope she features more in the new series."
A teaser for Sunday, January 1's new series opener reads: "A new recruit joins the team in April 1968, and while everyone is keen to make a good impression on the new arrival, she is not afraid to ruffle some feathers."
It adds: "Racial tensions cast a shadow over Poplar following Enoch Powell's infamous 'Rivers of Blood' speech and the effects ripple across the community."A terminally ill patient discharges herself from hospital and wishes to be cared for by her friend."
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