“Call the Midwife”: Special holiday episode airs Dec. 30

PBS has announced in a news release today that a special holiday episode of the critically acclaimed British drama series “Call the Midwife” is scheduled to air from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30 on the network (check your local listings).

Details on the special program and the series, provided by PBS, are as follows:

“Call the Midwife Holiday Special” will pave the way for a second season of the hit drama, which returns to PBS beginning March 31 for a full run.

As the nurses, nuns and community members come together this holiday season, nothing rings more true in Poplar than the virtues of charity and hope.

In the special, the holidays are swiftly approaching and the nuns and midwives of Nonnatus House are busier than ever.

When a young girl gives birth in secret and leaves the baby on the steps of Nonnatus House, the nurses pull together with the community to care for the newborn and find his mother.

Meanwhile, Nurse Jenny Lee looks after Mrs. Jenkins, an elderly vagrant who has lost everything. And newly married Chummy spreads holiday cheer, bringing the children of Poplar together for a nativity play to remember.

Written by Heidi Thomas (“Cranford,” “Upstairs Downstairs”) and directed by Philippa Lowthorpe (“Five Daughters”) and Jamie Payne (“The Hour”), “Call the Midwife” completed its first season in the U.S. in early November.