After eight series and six Christmas specials (and counting!), the nuns and midwives of Nonnatus House have certainly earned a place in the nation’s heart. Sunday nights simply wouldn’t be the same without them and the rest of the Call The Midwife cast.

But according to two of the show's stars, Stephen McGann, who plays Dr Turner, and Laura Main, who plays his wife, Shelagh, their fans reach further than you might expect.

“It’s impressive who Call the Midwife attracts” Laura told us. “We once got a letter from Whoopi Goldberg!”

What to read next
"Tina - The Tina Turner Musical" Opening Night
Bruce Glikas//Getty Images
Whoopi Goldberg

Stephen, who’s married to the show’s creator Heidi Thomas in real life revealed that there’s even more to the story than that.

“I believe Whoopi actually asked to be in it!” he shared.

Whoopi already has big plans this side of the pond as next summer she'll reprise her famous role as Deloris van Cartier in the stage show of Sister Act. So will it be Call the Midwife next?

“I’ll have to get her on the phone!” Stephen said.

Sheep, Sheep, Shepherd, Herd, Livestock, Cow-goat family, Herding, Herder, Goatherd, Goats,
Neal Street Productions//BBC

Previous guest stars have included everyone from Sinead Cusack, who joined the cast in South Africa to play Dr. Myra Fitzsimmons, to Anita Dobson, who played Mabel in 2017's Christmas special. This year’s special will see the brilliant Miriam Margoyles return as Mother Mildred, having made her debut in last year’s special.

“That’s been a dream,” Laura said. “I have to admit, I turn into a bit of a fangirl around the guest stars.”

But it seems that the nurses and midwives will have their work cut out this festive season as they embark on a trip to the remote Outer Hebrides where residents desperately need their help. With limited access to water and electricity, they operate in bleak conditions to help their patients.

Will they make it back to Poplar in time for Christmas? Here’s hoping!

The Call the Midwife Christmas special will air on BBC One on Christmas Day. Here's what you need to know...

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.

SIGN UP

httpshearstemsecurenetoptiextcraspxidji6fcfanxssxq3lgzd4nfi9frmn7aifzxrjwg7bjfdayntfm1xid6rk2bllyoercihhlq0bpyi77ujw