‘Call the Midwife’ renewed by the BBC through season 9

Clearly, the folks over at The BBC are more then just happy when it comes to the success of “Call the Midwife” — how else do you explain the show’s new massive episode order?

In a statement today (per Deadline), it was announced that the hit drama will be airing through season 9, marking this a massive three-season renewal for a series we thought could be in one of its final years now. The biggest temptation here in America is to compare this show to “Downton Abbey” given that this was the biggest British crossover hit we’ve seen here in some time; however, that series concluded with season 6, and there’s no sign that this one is slowing down any time soon.

It should also be noted that each of these coming seasons will also have an accompanying Christmas Special, as is the tradition.

Here is what creator Heidi Thomas had to say about some of the tremendous story opportunities that are ahead:

“Britain was a country fizzing with change and challenge, and there is so much rich material — medical, social, and emotional — to be explored. We have now delivered well over one hundred babies on screen, and like those babies, the stories keep on coming! Above all else, it is an incredible privilege to work on a show that is made with such care, and received with such love.”

One of the reasons why this show can continue to go on is that it’s bigger than one individual cast member — the series maintained strong ratings following the surprise exit of Jessica Raine as Jennifer Worth, and since then we’ve also seen the departure of Miranda Hart — who was originally supposed to appear during season 6 before scheduling rendered that impossible.

Share your thoughts and reactions to the renewal news in the comments box below, and be sure to also head over to the link here if you are curious in getting some other news right now regarding the upcoming Christmas Special. (Photo: BBC.)