Made by Neal Street Productions for BBC One, the award-winning “Call the Midwife” drama series has begun filming for a Christmas Special that will air in 2017, as well as a new season of eight episodes scheduled to premiere in 2018.

The drama follows the lives of a group of midwives working in the poverty-stricken East End of London during the 1950s, based on the best-selling memoirs of Jennifer Worth. In the USA, it airs on PBS.

Joining as a new cast member is Leonie Elliott (“Danny and the Human Zoo,” “Black Mirror”), who will play Nurse Lucille Anderson, the first West Indian midwife to feature as a regular character in the series. Described as elegant, funny and clever, Lucille is swift to settle in and brings a fresh new energy to life at the Nonnatus House setting of the drama. Through her eyes audiences will explore the experiences of Caribbean nurses who came over in the 1960s to support the growing NHS (National Health Service).

Executive Producer Pippa Harris says: “We can’t wait to introduce the audience to our new midwife Lucille, played by the hugely talented and captivating Leonie Elliott. From her first audition Leonie managed to embody the essence of this elegant, intelligent, witty character whom Heidi Thomas has created with her customary skill. Lucille is a fantastic addition to the Nonnatus House team and we know she will be warmly welcomed by the nuns and midwives.”

Additional series cast include: Jenny Agutter (Sister Julienne), Linda Bassett (Nurse Crane), Judy Parfitt (Sister Monica Joan), Helen George (Trixie), Laura Main (Shelagh Turner), Charlotte Ritchie (Barbara), Victoria Yeates (Sister Winifred), Jennifer Kirby (Valerie), Stephen McGann (Dr Turner), Jack Ashton (Tom), Cliff Parisi (Fred), Annabelle Apsion (Violet), Max Macmillan (Timothy) and Jack Hawkins (Christopher).

“Call the Midwife” has been one of Britain’s most popular drama series since it launched in 2012, and it continues to be one of the most watched dramas in the UK, with all six seasons to date gaining over 10 million viewers. “Call the Midwife” has recently been voted the Best Drama of the 21st Century in the BFI and Radio Times Festival Audience Poll.

Heidi Thomas, Creator, Writer and Executive Producer, says: “The friendships, struggles and triumphs of women remain at the heart of ‘Call the Midwife’ as we swing into 1963. With new mums ranging from a stripper to an Asian child bride, series seven will see our beloved Nonnatus House team stretched to the limit, as they face a series of medical, social and emotional challenges.”

“Call the Midwife” is created and written by Heidi Thomas, Executive Producers are Pippa Harris and Heidi Thomas. Executive Producer for the BBC is Elizabeth Kilgarriff, with Ann Tricklebank as Producer. The Christmas Special and episode one will be directed by Syd Macartney.

“Call the Midwife” is a Neal Street Production for BBC & PBS, airing on both networks in the UK and USA.