BBC1's series Call The Midwife

The opening episode sees Jenny Lee arriving at Nonnatus House. We are introduced to the world and its regular characters through her eyes, whilst she undergoes her initial training in the community. The story of the week focuses on the first case Jenny is allowed to handle alone - the care of Mrs Conchita Warren, during her 25th pregnancy. Conchita is married to Len Warren, an East End painter and decorator who fought in the Spanish Civil War. He brought Conchita home with him after hostilities ceased - a living, breathing and very beautiful souvenir. Conchita speaks no English - according to Len "there's never been any need" - and spends her days caring for her enormous family.

Episode 2

Jenny has a chance, late-night encounter with Mary, a young Irish girl aged 15. She is heavily pregnant, and reveals that she ran away from an abusive home life in rural Ireland and made her way to London. She is unwilling to give away many details of her current situation. Mary is desperate and terrified and eventually Jenny discovers the full, horrific details of the young girl's plight.Destitute upon arrival in London, Mary was "taken in" by Zakir, the owner of an all-night cafe in the notorious Cable Street area. It transpired that the cafe was in fact a brothel and Mary was forced into prostitution almost immediately.

Episode 3

Jenny is placed on the district nursing roster for a few weeks to extend her experience of community practice.

She attends to Joe, a gentle old soldier with appalling leg ulcers. Jenny grows very fond of Joe and when his condition deteriorates, Jenny realises how much their friendship has enriched her life.

At the antenatal clinic Trixie and Cynthia enrol Winnie Lawson as a new patient. In her forties Winnie had thought her days of nappies and babies were long gone, and seems upset by her pregnancy. By contrast her husband Ted is overjoyed by the news. However at the baby’s birth everyone gets a bit of a surprise.

Episode 4

A baby girl, recently delivered by Jenny, is snatched from her pram, causing great anguish to her family and uniting the local community as they search for the missing child.

Cynthia witnesses another type of loss as she assists in the case of soon-to-be parents David and Margaret. Newly married and excited about their future, everything is put in jeopardy when Margaret develops eclampsia.

Episode 5

When Frank, the brother of Peggy the cleaner at Nonnatus House, is diagnosed with cancer Jenny and the nuns are called upon to provide him with care.

In doing so Jenny comes to know the siblings better, learning of their upbringing in a workhouse and the profound effect it has had on their relationship.

Meanwhile the other residents of Nonnatus House find themselves involved in Fred’s latest money-making venture – a pig called Evie. Fred’s plan had been to make his fortune from bacon but this is scuppered when it’s realised the pig is pregnant. The nuns and nurses help Fred and Evie in the manner they know best.

Episode 6

Sister Monica Joan is found wandering near the docks and returned to Nonnatus House by the police.

Her adventure takes its toll and she succumbs to pneumonia. Eventually she recovers, only to find herself in trouble with the law when she is accused of theft. As the case progresses to trial, everyone fears that Sister Monica Joan could go to jail.

Chummy has further worries when her mother makes a trip to inspect her new 'beau'. The visit isn’t a success and Chummy suffers a crisis of confidence, breaking off her relationship with PC Noakes. Jenny and the other midwives pull together to convince her she's making a mistake.

Photograph shows Jessica Rain and cast of BBC1’s Call The Midwife.

BBC1 drama Call The Midwife starring Jessica Raine

A moving and intimate insight into the colourful world of midwifery and family life in 1950’s East London.

Starring Jessica Raine, Jenny Agutter, Pam Ferris, Miranda Hart & Judy Parfitt.

The DVD for this series will be distributed once the series has aired.

Photograph shows Jessica Rain and cast of BBC1’s Call The Midwife.