Call the Midwife creator and cast reveal show was hit by typhoon while filming in Hong Kong

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Filming the Call the Midwife Christmas special in Hong Kong this year presented challenges beyond the weather. The cast faced difficulties while shooting the episode, which features a trip by the Nonnatus House team to provide aid after a devastating event.

They were all forced indoors for a period when a typhoon rolled in.

I recently spoke with Heidi Thomas, the creative force behind the show, and she explained something fascinating. Apparently, when they wrote in a typhoon – a category six storm, no less – the team wasn’t worried about it seeming dramatic. She said that kind of weather is actually pretty common in Hong Kong, so it didn’t even raise an eyebrow amongst the writers! It really speaks to the authenticity they’re aiming for.

Producer Annie Tricklebank and I were filming on location when we started receiving alerts about a rapidly escalating situation – it went from a level seven to an eight, and by Friday night, we were warned it would reach a level ten. We had to stay inside our hotel, keep the curtains closed, and avoid going outside.

“So we all went down into the basement and had dim sum.”

Annabelle Apsion, who portrays Violet Buckle, the mayor of Tower Hamlets, described watching debris fly down the streets from their hotel. Others reported that the strong winds had uprooted many trees.

I remember being told not to peek out the hotel window, just in case something flew through – they were worried about debris, I think. But our room faced the water, so the chances of anything hitting us seemed pretty slim. Naturally, I couldn’t resist a look! It was incredible watching all that water being tossed around – a truly amazing sight.

Agutter admitted she quickly stepped outside, despite being told not to, to get a glimpse of the typhoon for Danny Laurie, who was curious about what it felt like to experience one.

I was so relieved they hadn’t scheduled the outdoor shoot yet when the weather turned bad. It meant they still had time to adjust and weren’t rushed, which is always a good thing when you’re trying to get the perfect shot.

Thomas explained that while our filming schedule was incredibly packed, we thankfully had Saturday and Sunday off – which is when the storm rolled in. Even though we weren’t actively shooting then, the storm’s effects definitely caused problems for the rest of the production.

She explained that Laura Main, who plays Shelagh Turner, and Steve McGann, as Dr. Turner, filmed a scene while wearing wellington boots because the water level was almost knee-high.

Main recalled that someone had quickly found Wellington boots. He remembered a photo of them, describing the boots as being about so big [gestures], and everyone shuffling along narrow alleyways while holding umbrellas.

But the magic of production means you won’t see any of that on camera, added Main.

Between filming scenes and taking cover from the typhoon, the actors had time to explore the area, and Rebecca Gethings, who played Sister Veronica, happily took charge of showing them around.

When I had time off, I discovered a completely different side of Hong Kong,” Agutter explained to the BBC. “Away from the city’s bright lights and buildings, there were beautiful hills, beaches, and the ocean. I really fell in love with that natural beauty.

And some of the cast even found time to enjoy a spot of partying. When in Hong Kong…

One of the actors who lived there invited us to a party at their house,” Gethings explained. “However, we knew a storm was approaching and needed to leave by midnight.

It was like being surrounded by mothers constantly asking if we were ready to go, thanks to our wonderful cast!

This year’s Call the Midwife Christmas special features Violet and Fred visiting her son in Hong Kong. They arrive to discover a tragic incident: the building where he lives has collapsed, resulting in several deaths.

According to an official description, a rescue operation is quickly put together, and the team at Nonnatus House rushes to make arrangements to leave.

Cyril is surprised when someone asks him for a favor. Meanwhile, Rosalind and Joyce are throwing a Christmas party, and Sister Catherine finds herself helping two pregnant Irish travelers who are living in a campsite.

Call the Midwife will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Christmas.

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2025-11-29 12:06