BBC One's Sunday night favourite Call the Midwife returns to the channel next year for its eighth series but, before that, we have the annual treat of the Christmas special to look forward to.
As Trixie (Helen George) and co. dive head-first into the swinging Sixties, the show's creator Heidi Thomas told Digital Spy and assembled press that she finds it "very interesting" how themes of feminism are considered Call the Midwife's "unique selling point".
"Feminism is not a story of the week," Thomas said. "It is absolutely in the DNA of everything we do."
The award-winning writer added: "Surely all drama should create interesting female characters? Surely all dramas should show women experiencing things in their lives which are important and resonant, and have implications for the other people in their lives?
"[On Call the Midwife], we do that constantly, we do it without thinking."
Above: Heidi Thomas
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Thomas, who also serves as executive producer, further noted that the word "feminism" had never actually been uttered on the series. "Because we don't preach it, we live it. It's there in every breath that we take.
"I think if other dramas don't acknowledge that, if they don't breach those ramparts, it shouldn't be our pride, it should be their shame. Why there isn't more equality in our public storytelling, I do not know."
Thomas also addressed accusations that Call the Midwife is a 'cosy' and 'comfortable' series, insisting that the show is far from being stuck in the past.
"It's a period drama but we're not living in the past because we're living in [the characters'] present. We are looking forward with them to their future, which is our now. I think that keeps the connection between our show and the present day.
"There are always reflections and resonances and little echoes of what's happening now in the stories we are telling to you."
Call the Midwife returns to TV in December with the 2018 Christmas special.
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