According to reports from the National Television Awards ceremony held at The O2 in London, the long-running BBC drama Call the Midwife won the Returning Drama award for the second year in a row. Hosted by comedian Joel Dommett, the public-voted ceremony on Tuesday, 8th September, saw the period series defeat fellow nominees including Blue Lights, Bridgerton, Stranger Things, and Trigger Point.
Heidi Thomas and Cast Celebrate Public Win at The O2
Accepting the trophy on stage, series creator Heidi Thomas described the victory as “so special” while thanking production company Neal Street Productions and the BBC. Thomas told the audience that Call the Midwife has “always been common endeavour, something we’ve done together,” and that over the year “we have become a family.” “Connection in a fractured world like this, connection and togetherness, is so rare,” she added. The triumph arrived alongside a nomination for Judy Parfitt in the Drama Performance category for her portrayal of Sister Monica Joan, an award ultimately won by Vicky McClure for Trigger Point.
Upcoming Expansion: Prequel Series and 1970s Movie
The National Television Awards win coincides with a transitional phase for the franchise. Following its 15th season, the mainline series entered a break to accommodate a forthcoming feature film and a World War Two prequel series entitled Call the Midwife: Sisters in Arms, as reported by the BBC. The three-part prequel is scheduled to debut as a special as part of the BBC’s festive schedule this year and will focus on younger versions of Sister Evangelina, Sister Monica Joan, and Sister Julienne. Amy Booth-Steel, Helen Schlesinger, and Helena Wilson will portray the trio, with original cast member Jenny Agutter narrating as older Sister Julienne. Meanwhile, production details remain scarce for the planned 1970s feature film, which will be set in an “unfamiliar landscape,” according to the BBC.
Did you know? The National Television Awards winners are decided entirely by the public, making viewer engagement a primary driver for category champions like Call the Midwife and favorites such as Gogglebox and Clarkson’s Farm, which also secured wins at the London ceremony.
Broader Winners at the 2026 National Television Awards
Beyond the Returning Drama category, the Tuesday evening ceremony recognized a wide array of British television productions and personalities. 100-year-old Sir David Attenborough collected the TV Presenter prize, while Alan Carr received the Special Recognition / Lifetime Achievement Award following a surprise presentation by Paloma Faith and Amanda Holden. Additional winners included The Celebrity Traitors for Reality Competition, Clarkson’s Farm for Reality Docuseries, I Fought the Law for New Drama, and Emmerdale for Serial Drama, where Jeff Hordley also won Serial Drama Performance for his role as Cain Dingle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Returning Drama at the National Television Awards?
Call the Midwife won the Returning Drama award, beating Blue Lights, Bridgerton, Stranger Things, and Trigger Point.
Where was the National Television Awards ceremony held?
The event took place at The O2 Arena in London on Tuesday 8th September, and was hosted by Joel Dommett.
What is the premise of the Call the Midwife prequel?
The prequel series Call the Midwife: Sisters in Arms is set during World War Two and will follow younger versions of Sister Evangelina, Sister Monica Joan and Sister Julienne.
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