2020 Holiday Special

Premiere date: December 25, 2020

Everyone at Nonnatus House looks forward to a traditional holiday, but nothing goes quite to plan. Meanwhile, the Circus arrives in Poplar, bringing new friendships, new experiences and an exciting adventure for Nurse Crane.

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Featured Video

Unorthodox Christmas Meals with Nurse Crane and Miss Higgins

Nurse Crane and Miss Higgins reminisce about some more... unusual meals they crave during the holidays.

Clip 1m 57s

More About the Episode

This year’s Holiday Special is set in December 1965. Everyone at Nonnatus House is looking forward to traditional celebrations with all the trimmings, but nothing goes quite to plan. Sister Monica Joan is rushed to the hospital, and Trixie is incensed to receive a subscription to a Marriage Bureau as a Christmas gift.

Meanwhile, a surprise reunion for Shelagh involves her in a deeply moving birth, and the Circus arrives in Poplar, bringing new friendships, new experiences, and an exciting adventure for Nurse Crane.

The Christmas Special cast includes: Jenny Agutter (Sister Julienne), Linda Bassett (Nurse Crane), Judy Parfitt (Sister Monica Joan), Fenella Woolgar (Sister Hilda), Ella Bruccoleri (Sister Frances), Helen George (Trixie), Laura Main (Shelagh Turner), Leonie Elliott (Lucille), Stephen McGann (Dr. Turner), Cliff Parisi (Fred), Annabelle Apsion (Violet), Georgie Glen (Miss Higgins), Max Macmillan (Timothy), Daniel Laurie (Reggie) and Zephryn Taitte (Cyril).

A Closer Look | Photo Gallery

Nurse Phyllis Crane (Linda Bassett) in a scene from the Holiday Special. | Credit: BBC / Neal Street Productions

Fred Buckle (Cliff Parisi) mans the turkey station in a scene from the Holiday Special. | Credit: BBC / Neal Street Productions

Miss Higgins (Georgie Glen) and Cyril Robinson (Zephryn Taitte) in a scene. | Credit: BBC / Neal Street Productions

A scene from the 2020 Holiday Special. | Credit: BBC / Neal Street Productions

Mr. Percival in a scene from the 2020 Holiday Special. | Credit: BBC / Neal Street Productions

Nurses Lucille Anderson (Leonie Elliott) and Trixie Franklin (Helen George) in a scene from the 2020 Holiday Special. | Credit: BBC / Neal Street Productions

Violet Buckle (Annabelle Apsion) excitedly reacts in a scene from the 2020 Holiday Special. | Credit: BBC / Neal Street Productions

A scene from the 2020 Holiday Special. | Credit: BBC / Neal Street Productions

Cyril Robinson (Zephryn Taitte) and Nurse Lucille Anderson (Leonie Elliott) speak in a scene from the 2020 Holiday Special. | Credit: BBC / Neal Street Productions