CALL THE MIDWIFE EPISODE ONE

UK | BBC One | 60 minutes | Airdate: Sunday 15 January 2012 @ 8.00pm

Episode 1 of 6

Call The Midwife, the period drama series about a young nurse working in East London during the 1950′s, begins this week and newly qualified midwife Jenny Lee is somewhat surprised to find she has been sent to work in a convent and not the small private hospital she thought she was going to. Initially daunted by her surroundings, and not least the formidable Sister Evangelina and the eccentric Sister Monica Joan, Jenny gradually begins to find her feet.

Trouble flares on the first case Jenny is allowed to handle alone, under the guidance of Sister Julienne – the care of Conchita Warren during her 25th pregnancy. Conchita is married to Len, who fought in the Spanish Civil War and brought Conchita home with him. Conchita speaks no English and spends her days caring for her enormous family.

Her case appears to be routine but, when freezing smog descends on London, events take a turn for the worse. Conchita slips and goes into labour at 30 weeks gestation, suffering from severe concussion.

Jenny, alone in the house with Conchita and her husband, must draw on all her reserves of skill and courage if Conchita and her premature child are to survive.

We also meet Pearl, whose indomitable spirit rises above a dose of venereal disease, and Muriel, whose home delivery shows the best and worst that the system has to offer.

cast

Jessica Raine as Jenny Lee

Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne by Jenny Agutter

Pam Ferris as Sister Evangelina

Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan

Laura Main as Sister Bernadette

Helen George as Trixie

Bryony Hannah as Cynthia