In September 1939, Nonnatus House is the beating heart of the East End community of Poplar. The nurses and nuns dedicate their lives to mothers, babies and the poor. But there is no gas and air, no penicillin, no cure for TB, and no welfare state. Then war is declared — and life gets even harder. While bombs rain from the sky, women give birth underground, families are shattered and whole streets are reduced to ruins. But courage and resilience triumphs as the community unites to survive.

Cast & crew

Heidi Thomas

Creator

Julie Hesmondhalgh

Sister Alice

Amy Booth-Steel

Sister Evangelina

Helen Schlesinger

Sister Monica Joan

Helena Wilson

Sister Julienne

Bally Gill

Dr Kit Malhotra

Liv Andrusier

Nurse Marianne Siegler

L

Lizzie Back

Nurse Sybil Maxted

Ellie McKay

Nurse Olive Dobbs

C

Ciaran Bowling

Fred Buckle

Ami Metcalf

Betty Buckle

Ben Rose

Dr Patrick Turner

Jenny Agutter

Sister Julienne / Narrator (voice)

Martin McCann

Tommy Moffat

L

Leigh Quinn

Connie Mottishead

Matt Brewer

Stationmaster

E

Emma Monnickendam

Edith Plumley

Rachel O'Connell

Mary Moffat

Seasons

3 episodes

Miniseries2026 · 3 episodes