Fans of the beloved BBC period drama Call the Midwife were left crestfallen on Sunday, February 22, 2026, as the show was unexpectedly pulled from its regular 8pm slot on BBC One. The reason? The prestigious BAFTA Film Awards took over the coveted primetime window, leaving viewers to wait another week for the next installment of the long-running series. For many, the absence of a new episode on a Sunday evening—usually a comforting ritual—felt like a significant disruption.
According to the BBC, the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony, hosted by Alan Cumming, aired live from 7pm to 9pm at the Royal Festival Hall in London. The event, which celebrates the best in British and international film, featured a star-studded lineup of nominated films including Sinners, Hamnet, One Battle After Another, and I Swear. The evening also boasted musical performances from Jessie Ware, as well as EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami—the latter three providing the singing voices for characters in the Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters. For fans of Call the Midwife, however, the glitz and glamour of the BAFTAs was little consolation for the missing episode.
The BBC’s decision to prioritize the awards ceremony over its regular programming was met with immediate and vocal disappointment from the show's dedicated audience. As reported by Everything Gossip and the Express, social media platforms quickly filled with frustrated comments. One fan lamented, “Oh, I was so looking forward to tonight’s episode.” Another echoed the sentiment: “Damn it. I really wanted to watch it this evening!” Some even questioned the network’s scheduling choices, asking, “Why can’t it be on BBC Two?” and “BAFTAs should go on a different channel!”
The official Call the Midwife Instagram account moved swiftly to reassure fans, posting: “Hello all! Just to remind you all that Call the Midwife WON’T be on this evening due to the BAFTA Awards. But series 15 will continue as normal next Sunday! See you then.” The message concluded with a note of comfort: “Don’t panic! We’re just taking a week’s break for the BAFTA Film Awards!” According to BBC One, the series will return on March 1, 2026, at 8pm, with episode 7 scheduled as the penultimate installment of the season. The season finale is expected to follow a week later, on March 8.
For those eager to catch up, Call the Midwife remains available on BBC iPlayer. But for many, the gap in their Sunday viewing left a noticeable void. The previous episode had left viewers on edge, with dramatic developments including Sister Monica Joan’s illness diagnosis, Cyril and Rosalind’s engagement following their baby news, and Sister Veronica’s poignant time spent with Geoffrey. The anticipation for episode 7 was palpable, making the sudden schedule change all the more jarring.
Looking ahead, the upcoming episode promises fresh dynamics and intriguing storylines. As detailed in the BBC’s official synopsis and confirmed by multiple outlets, episode 7 will see a cohort of junior doctors—among them Timothy Turner—join the midwives on their district rounds. In a surprising twist, Violet, a character not previously known for her medical prowess, will try her hand at midwifery. “We’re very intrigued to see how that goes down,” wrote Good Housekeeping, capturing the curiosity of the fanbase.
The disruption to the broadcast schedule also reignited speculation about the future of the series. Some fans feared that season 15 might mark the end of Call the Midwife, but the BBC quickly moved to dispel such rumors. During his radio program, Scott Mills read a statement from the broadcaster: “The BBC would like to reassure fans that Call the Midwife will remain at the heart of the BBC for years to come. 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!”
This assurance was echoed in several news reports, with outlets like Everything Gossip and CarterMatt highlighting the network’s commitment to the show. The BBC’s plans include not only the remainder of season 15 but also a robust slate of future content: two Christmas specials, a feature film, a prequel series, and eventually a full sixteenth season. For fans, this means that their favorite period drama will continue to be a fixture on Sunday nights for the foreseeable future.
The BAFTA Film Awards themselves were a major television event, drawing in audiences with their celebration of cinematic excellence and live performances. Yet, for the legion of Call the Midwife devotees, the interruption was a stark reminder of how deeply the show has embedded itself into the fabric of British TV culture. The outpouring of emotion online—ranging from disappointment to playful outrage—underscored just how much the series means to its viewers.
Of course, TV scheduling conflicts are nothing new, especially when it comes to major live events like the BAFTAs or the Winter Olympics, which was airing its closing ceremony on BBC Two the same evening. But the strength of the reaction to Call the Midwife’s brief hiatus speaks volumes about the program’s enduring popularity and the comfort it provides to its audience. As one fan quipped online, “I thought we’d escape the BAFTAs interruption this year.”
For now, fans can rest easy knowing that the midwives of Nonnatus House will return soon, and that the BBC has no plans to end the series anytime soon. With junior doctors joining the fray and familiar faces taking on new challenges, the next episode promises to deliver the heartwarming drama and emotional storytelling that have made Call the Midwife a Sunday night staple.
While the BAFTAs took center stage for one evening, the enduring appeal of Call the Midwife ensures that its place in the BBC lineup is as secure as ever. The wait for the next episode may have tested fans’ patience, but the anticipation only adds to the excitement for what’s to come.