Last night at the National Television Awards, the Call the Midwife cast won the Returning Drama award for the second year in a row.
Taking place at the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday 8 September, the ceremony saw the cast reflecting on the end of series 15, while creator Heidi Thomas teased the show's potential future.
When asked in the winners' room if there was any news on series 16, Heidi told HELLO! and other members of the press: "I don't have any news on series 16 yet. I've been completely immersed in Sisters in Arms. There's no immediate news we can share yet, but watch this space."
© Getty Images for The NTA'sThe beloved show was up against a tough category of nominees, including Stranger Things, Trigger Point, Blue Lights, and Bridgerton. However, the period drama was crowned the clear fan favourite by public vote.
Will there be a Call the Midwife series 16?
© CREDIT LINE:BBC / Neal Street Productions / Luke RossThe major win comes at a time of change for the show, as the main series is taking a break following its 15th run to focus on an upcoming Christmas prequel.
At the end of the moving series finale, viewers were left wondering if another chapter of fresh episodes would follow. However, mainline episodes have been delayed to accommodate the prequel series, Sisters in Arms.
A feature film set overseas in 1972 is also in development – picking up after the events of series 15 – meaning fans could be waiting a while for new regular episodes.
However, Neal Street Productions confirmed in an official statement: "As previously announced, there are two Christmas specials, a new series, a film, and a prequel series, before a sixteenth series in due course. Call the Midwife isn't going anywhere."
What do we know about the prequel?
© Neal Street/BBCTitled Call the Midwife: Sisters in Arms, the three-part World War Two special will be set during the London Blitz and features several familiar faces. Speaking in the winners' room, Heidi revealed that new characters will also join the cast.
Who will be returning?
© Neal Street/BBCThe prequel will follow younger versions of Sister Evangelina (Amy Booth-Steel), Sister Monica Joan (Helen Schlesinger), and Sister Julienne (Helena Wilson). Original cast member Jenny Agutter will narrate the series as the older Sister Julienne.
There are also three new young secular midwives who complete the team, called Sybil, Olive and Marianne.
While full details about the cast remain under wraps, fresh midwives will be joining the fold. Natalie Quarry, who plays Rosalind Clifford, told HELLO! on the red carpet that a close friend had joined the cast: "A friend of mine is playing one of the midwives and she's going to be fantastic. I did help her with her audition."
So, fans can expect to see both old and new faces in the upcoming prequel!
How to watch the prequel
The special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Christmas. All previous series of Call the Midwife are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.
