Call the Midwife

The BBC’s new hit drama seems less Downton, and more down to Earth. Set amongst the nitty-gritty poverty of the 1950s East End and adapted from the true memoirs of Jennifer Worth, Call the Midwife has captured our imaginations this winter.

The show’s popularity has taken even the Beeb by surprise. Although launched off a successful first series, snappy detective drama Sherlock was far outshone by the bloody labour scenes and social witticisms, which attracted over 9million viewers. But as a series directed mainly at female adults, how has it reached record highs for debut drama ratings?

Perhaps it’s simply the time of year; we are struggling through endless dark evenings with New Year’s resolutions and hot water bottles, with no mince pies to tide us through. Or maybe the figures are an extension of the recent childbirth fad, which has seen programmes such as Channel Four’s “One Born Every Minute” sweep to the top of the tables.

Of course, the star-studded cast and crew help. Miranda Hart, the lovably posh-but-awkward comedienne, as blundering Chummy has attracted her sitcom’s 3 million fans, whilst the relatively unknown lead, Jessica Raine, is convincingly sincere. Yet Eve Stewart, the genius responsible for the oh-so realistic production design on The King’s Speech, has been accused of “sugar-coating” post war poverty.

It’s true that the worn buildings and furniture appear charmingly vintage rather than run-down, and the residents watch children in cheerful community spirit. However Philippa Lowthorpe, the Bristol based director acclaimed for her drama Five Daughters, has retained some realism through the deaths that occur throughout, revealing why the show was originally intended as post-watershed.

But if the still births and glass rectal tubes aren’t enough to make the programme gripping, then it’s the simple but evocative storylines that save the day. More believable than the dead Arabic princes of Downton, but without Birdsong’s exhaustingly emotive scenes, Call the Midwife is perfect to cosy down to this snowy weekend.