BBC insists 'all is not lost' for Call The Midwife with update on show's future after fans left bawling by 'end of an era' finale - as even Helen George says 'it won't be the same'

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The BBC has insisted 'all is not lost' for Call The Midwife in an update on the beloved show's future - after fans bawled over a heartbreaking death in Sunday's finale.

Having debuted in 2012, the period drama series has since become a much-loved staple.

As the series 15 finale's credits ran, a BBC voiceover said: 'All is not lost! Call the Midwife returns with a new prequel series later in the year.' 

The hit drama won't be back on screens for a few years while creator Heidi Thomas works on a film AND a prequel series. 

Speaking to Radio Times ahead of the final episode, Helen George, who plays Nurse Trixie Aylward, said: 'We've all been saying that we'll feel it most in April because that's when we usually start filming. 

'So when that comes around and we don't, we won't have the support network and community that work has given us.

The BBC issued an update on Call The Midwife's future - as the much loved period drama concluded series 15

Fans were treated to an emotional episode as Sister Monica Joan died after being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease earlier in the series

'Apart from that first year, we've always known at the end of filming that we'd see each other again. 

Co-star Laura Main, who plays nurse Shelagh Turner, added: 'Even that first year, we found out after the second episode that the show would be coming back. 

'We've had rare and lovely stability for 15 years. We've never had to be upset at the end before.'

Helen concluded: 'And it is just a pause because we know it's coming back. But it won't be the same, with different characters leaving and whatever.' 

Furthermore, rather than the usual festive special, a prequel set in the 1940s will be shown on Christmas Day instead. 

Viewers were left emotional by the ending of series 15, which saw fan favourite Sister Monica Joan (Judy Parfitt) pass away in tragic scenes after being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.

Before Sister Monica Joan died, she was visited by her nearest and dearest, but Call The Midwife fans were left shocked when Sister Evangelina appeared by Sister Monica Joan's bedside.

Pam Ferris played the popular nun from series one to five before she passed away in her sleep at Nonnatus House, having suffered a stroke a few months previously.

Seeing the spirit of her late friend by her bed, Sister Monica Joan said: 'I might have known you would put in an appearance, Sister Evangelina.'

She replied: 'Some of us know when a job needs finishing. You meanwhile have shilly-shallied long enough. Even the Almighty's patience has worn thin.'

Sister Monica Joan asked: 'What's it like? Where I will go?'

Smiling, Sister Evangelina replied: 'It's everything we were promised…and all that you have worked for.'

Sister Monica Joan became emotional and Sister Evangelina reached out her hand and said: 'Come on you.'

With a smile, Sister Monica Joan's spirit then left her body and she joined hands with her friend, before they turned and left the room together with the spirits of other nuns following behind.

But her death left everyone at Nonnatus House and Poplar residents devastated, especially as the convent and midwife base would no longer operate in the same way going forward.

In a meeting with the nuns, midwives and Doctor Turner, Sister Julienne said: 'We are all facing loss, and we are all facing change.

'The death of our sister, and the alteration of our practice are not linked, but the sadness feels the same because it is time itself that has brought both these things about.'

She then revealed that the nuns had decided to make Nonnatus House a 'place of prayer, and charity whilst we discern our next steps'.

The grand finale concluded with the characters reflecting on pictures from over the years before Doctor Turner's children hung a handmade sign on the door of the convent which read: 'Temporarily Closed.'

In a special cameo, Pam Ferris reprised her role as Sister Evangelina - who died in series five - for Sister Monica Joan's final scene

BBC fans were left devastated by Sister Monica Joan's death and took to X after the show to say they were left in tears.

They wrote: 'The call the midwife finale.. I cried; Call The Midwife had the most perfect ending;

'Congrats to call the midwife for making me cry once again, very rarely do I cry multiple times in one episode of a tv show;

'Goodness - call the midwife has finished me off tonight; Such a perfect ending to Call The Midwife I can't remember the last time I have cried like that to a TV show;

'Call the midwife has got me breaking my heart'

Call The Midwife is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.