The Best Books, Movies, Video Games, and Podcasts to Check Out After Watching ‘Call the Midwife’

May 28, 2026 - 20:56

The cozy, emotional pull of "Call the Midwife" is hard to shake. Its mix of community, mid-20th century history, and heartfelt human drama has a unique feel. If you are looking for that same warmth in other media, there are plenty of options that capture the spirit of Poplar.

For books, start with the original memoirs by Jennifer Worth that inspired the show. "Call the Midwife" and "Shadows of the Workhouse" offer the same raw, compassionate look at life in London's East End. If you want fiction, try "The Night Watch" by Sarah Waters. Set during and after World War II, it shares the show's focus on ordinary people and quiet resilience. For a lighter read, the "Fairacre" series by Miss Read follows a village schoolteacher and feels like a gentle, comforting visit to a simpler time.

In movies, "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" is a strong choice. It centers on a community recovering from war, with the same themes of found family and kindness. "Brooklyn" tells the story of a young Irish immigrant in 1950s New York, capturing that same sense of starting over in a close-knit, working-class world.

For podcasts, "The History of the NHS" explains the real-life backdrop of the show. It covers the birth of Britain's healthcare system, which is central to the series. "You're Dead to Me" from the BBC often covers historical topics like 1950s Britain or midwifery in a fun, accessible way. It feels like a chat with friends who know their history.

Video games are a bit different, but "Stardew Valley" offers a similar feeling. You build relationships, help a small community, and find peace in daily routines. "Unpacking" is a quiet, meditative game about moving through life's stages, told through the objects you own. It has the same emotional weight and attention to small, meaningful details that make "Call the Midwife" so special.