Your Next Comfort Watch: 10 Shows Like Call the Midwife

Welcome, fellow drama enthusiasts! If you've been captivated by the heartwarming, often challenging, and deeply human stories unfolding in Poplar with the nuns and midwives of Nonnatus House, you know the unique charm of 'Call the Midwife'. For over 15 seasons, this unlikely phenomenon has skillfully blended melodrama with frank discussions of women's health and societal changes, drawing us into the lives of its compelling characters.

But what happens when you've binged every available episode and are left longing for more? Fear not! This guide is designed to help you discover your next binge-worthy series. We've curated a list of 10 exceptional shows that share thematic elements with 'Call the Midwife', from captivating historical settings and strong female leads to poignant medical dramas and stories of community resilience. Get ready to embark on a new streaming journey!

Before You Dive In: What You'll Need

To make the most of these recommendations, you'll primarily need access to a few popular streaming services. Many of these shows are available on platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, PBS, Peacock, Tubi, and Apple TV+. An open mind for diverse historical periods and a love for character-driven stories are your only other prerequisites!

Your Curated List: 10 Shows to Watch Next

Let's explore some fantastic series that capture the spirit of 'Call the Midwife' in their own unique ways:

1. The Bletchley Circle (2012 – 2014)

If you love: Strong female leads and historical mysteries.

Like 'Call the Midwife', this series kicks off in the mid-1950s but quickly dives into a thrilling premise. It follows four extraordinary women who worked as code-breakers at Bletchley Park during World War II. Years later, they reunite to use their unique skills to hunt a serial killer in London. The show expertly contrasts their vital wartime roles with the domestic expectations they faced afterward, offering a compelling blend of history and suspense.

Where to Stream: Peacock, Prime Video

2. All Creatures Great and Small (2020 – )

If you love: Gentle charm, rural settings, and heartwarming community stories.

Journey back to the picturesque Yorkshire Dales of the 1930s and '40s with this beloved adaptation. It centers on a Scottish vet who moves to a small farming town, providing medical care to animals and becoming part of the local community. While less focused on human medical drama than 'Call the Midwife', its big-hearted approach, endearing characters, and portrayal of challenges in a close-knit rural society offer a similar sense of comfort and charm.

Where to Stream: Prime Video, PBS

3. Land Girls (2009 – 2011)

If you love: Women overcoming adversity during wartime.

Set squarely during World War II, 'Land Girls' highlights another often-overlooked aspect of history: the Women's Land Army. Follow four distinct women who leave their familiar lives to learn farming and agriculture, filling the void left by male farmworkers serving in the war. The series thoughtfully explores issues contemporary to women of the era, from personal growth to societal prejudices, echoing 'Call the Midwife's' exploration of women's evolving roles.

Where to Stream: PBS (or buy it from Prime Video)

4. Grantchester (2014 – )

If you love: Period settings, community dynamics, and engaging mysteries.

Step into 1950s and '60s Cambridgeshire, where a cynical WWII veteran police detective teams up with a series of local, well-meaning priests to solve murders. While primarily a cozy mystery, 'Grantchester' often delves into significant relationship drama and real-world issues of the era, including social stigmas. Its strong ensemble cast and exploration of faith and morality will resonate with fans of 'Call the Midwife's' character depth.

Where to Stream: Netflix, PBS

5. Virgin River (2019 – )

If you love: Contemporary midwifery, life-affirming stories, and romance.

For a modern take on the life-affirming charm of 'Call the Midwife', head to contemporary Northern California. This series stars a nurse practitioner and midwife who moves to the titular town for a new start, only to find unexpected complications and romance. If you enjoy the medical aspects and focus on personal journeys, 'Virgin River' offers a comforting, high-end viewing experience with a romantic twist.

Where to Stream: Netflix

6. Cable Girls (2017 – 2020)

If you love: Empowering historical drama with a touch of glamour and intrigue.

Travel to 1928 Madrid in this Spanish import, which spotlights four women from diverse backgrounds seeking employment at a burgeoning telecommunications company. The series beautifully blends empowering historical themes of women entering new professional fields with the dramatic twists and turns of a telenovela. It’s a vibrant exploration of ambition, friendship, and challenging societal norms.

Where to Stream: Netflix

7. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017 – 2023)

If you love: Witty dialogue, vibrant period aesthetics, and women breaking barriers.

While a comedy-drama, 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' shares 'Call the Midwife's' exhilarating spirit of women broadening their horizons in the mid-20th century. Set in late 1950s New York, it follows Midge Maisel, a housewife who discovers an unexpected talent for stand-up comedy. With brilliant performances and sharp writing, it's a celebration of female empowerment and finding your voice in a changing world.

Where to Stream: Prime Video

8. The Crimson Field (2014)

If you love: Medical drama in a historical, challenging setting.

Delve further back into the 20th century with 'The Crimson Field', set in a fictional World War I field hospital on the French coast. The series introduces a group of mostly upper-class women who are new to both the realities of war and the demands of nursing. It offers a glossy, yet compelling, window into history, highlighting the challenges and sacrifices of medical professionals during a monumental conflict, much like the early days of 'Call the Midwife'.

Where to Stream: Prime Video, Tubi

9. The Hour (2011 – 2012)

If you love: Smart historical dramas with mystery and impeccable style.

Set against the backdrop of the 1956 Suez Crisis, 'The Hour' charts the rise of a fictional BBC current affairs program, largely led by talented women. With a brilliant cast and stunning period detail, the show weaves together themes of journalism, government censorship, spies, and even murder. It offers a sophisticated look at mid-century life and the push for truth in a complex world.

Where to Stream: Tubi

10. London Hospital (2006 – 2009)

If you love: The raw realities of early 20th-century medicine.

For those particularly drawn to 'Call the Midwife's' portrayal of medical challenges in London's poorest areas before modern standards, 'London Hospital' is an ideal watch. Set in the early 1900s at the Royal London Hospital, each episode is loosely based on real cases from nurses' logs. It unflinchingly presents the difficulties of early anesthesia, life without antibiotics, and the nascent, dangerous use of X-ray technology, providing a fascinating 'prequel' to medical history.

Where to Stream: Rent from Apple TV+

Tips for Choosing Your Next Watch

• Consider your mood: Are you seeking a gentle comfort watch, a gripping mystery, or a powerful historical drama?
• Focus on the themes you love most: Is it the strong female characters, the historical context, the medical drama, or the community feel that draws you in?
• Check streaming availability: Verify which services you already subscribe to before making a choice.
• Give it a few episodes: Sometimes a show needs a little time to find its rhythm and for you to connect with the characters.

Troubleshooting Your Viewing Experience

If you start a show and it doesn't immediately grab you, consider whether it's the right fit for your current mood. Period dramas, in particular, can sometimes have a slower pace than modern thrillers. If historical settings are your primary draw, but a specific plot isn't working, try another show from the list that shares the time period but offers a different genre (e.g., mystery vs. pure drama).

Next Steps

Once you've devoured these recommendations, you might enjoy exploring other British period dramas or delving into documentaries about the real-life historical events and figures that inspired many of these series. The world of historical television is vast and rich with stories waiting to be discovered!

FAQ

Q: Are these shows family-friendly like 'Call the Midwife'?

A: While 'Call the Midwife' often tackles mature themes, its presentation is generally suitable for a wide audience. Most shows on this list, particularly 'All Creatures Great and Small' and 'Land Girls', share a similar tone. Others, like 'Grantchester' (with its murder mysteries) or 'The Bletchley Circle' (with a serial killer plot), might contain more intense themes, but generally avoid explicit content. 'Virgin River' has romantic storylines.

Q: Do all these shows feature midwives or medical professionals?

A: Not all of them focus exclusively on midwifery. 'Virgin River' features a midwife in a modern setting, and 'The Crimson Field' and 'London Hospital' are deeply rooted in nursing and medical drama. Other shows on the list, like 'The Bletchley Circle', 'Land Girls', 'Cable Girls', and 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel', focus on women in other challenging or groundbreaking roles, often with a broader historical or social context, similar to how 'Call the Midwife' addresses societal issues beyond just births.

Q: What if I don't have all the streaming services listed?

A: Many of these shows are available on multiple platforms, so check your existing subscriptions first. Services like PBS also offer free streaming for some content, and Tubi is a free, ad-supported service. If you're keen on a specific show, you can often rent or purchase individual seasons or episodes from platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV+ without a full subscription.

We hope this guide helps you find your next beloved series. Happy streaming, and enjoy these wonderful stories of resilience, community, and the human spirit!