Period drama continues its success.

BBC One has commissioned a sixth series of Call The Midwife, ahead of its season five premiere.

The award-winning drama, which averages over 10m viewers, will return in 2017 for an eight-part series, which will take the nuns and midwives into 1962.

Pippa Harris, Executive Producer for Neal Street Productions says: “I am delighted that the BBC has decided to commission series six of Call The Midwife even before we have gone on air with series five! It really demonstrates their commitment to and passion for the show. The ongoing success of Call The Midwife is down to the incredible writing skills of Heidi Thomas and the talent and dedication of our wonderful cast and crew. I hope the audience will enjoy watching series five, which I firmly believe is our strongest yet.”

Call The Midwife stars Pam Ferris, Jenny Agutter, Miranda Hart, Helen George, Linda Bassett and Charlotte Ritchie. The series is made by Neal Street Productions and written by Heidi Thomas.

The series returns to BBC One with a Christmas Special on Christmas Day at 7.30pm. Series five begins in January 2016.