Since 2012, millions of viewers have tuned into the beloved drama Call the Midwife on the BBC.

Originally based on the books by Jennifer Worth and her time as a midwife in the East End of London during the 1950s, the BBC show has attracted a global audience.

Although the books by Worth initially inspired the creation of Call the Midwife, it was screenwriter Heidi Thomas who saw the potential of the show.

Taking inspiration from both Worth’s books and the home of St Frideswide’s Mission House in Lodore Street, known in the show as Nonnatus House.

Away from creating Call the Midwife, Thomas has been behind many popular shows and is even married to a star of the BBC show.

Who is Heidi Thomas?

Originally from Liverpool, Thomas began her career in writing and producing in 1987 after working on an episode for the popular anthology series Screenplay.

Continuing to work in Television, Thomas wrote episodes for shows including Frank Stubbs, The Lifeboat, Solider Solider and Doctor Finlay before landing her first movie in 1996.

In 1996, the Call the Midwife creator wrote Kiss and Tell which saw James Bond star Daniel Craig in the lead role.

Following the success of Kiss and Tell, Thomas wrote Madame Bovary before writing her first TV mini-series in 2007 with Lilies.

Lilies gained mass praise and was a stepping stone for the creation of the award-winning Upstairs Downstairs.

Thomas created Upstairs Downstairs in 2010, writing all nine episodes and starring Keeley Hawes, Anne Reid, Claire Foy and more.

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Two years later in 2012, Call the Midwife aired for the first time on BBC and has since become one of the most popular shows on the BBC, with full series and annual Christmas specials.

Apart from her work in TV, Thomas is also married to the star of Call the Midwife Stephen McGann, who plays Stephen McGann.

The pair married in 1990 and share one son, they met after McGann auditioned for a play by Thomas.

In October 2022, Thomas was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to drama.