UKTV has commissioned The Real Midwives of Essex for the W channel…
The eight-part series from Firecracker Films will air in hour-long slots, described by UKTV is a ‘docu-reality series’ the format ‘will delve into the working and social lives of Basildon University Hospital’s midwives.’
Helen Nightingale, head of factual and factual entertainment UKTV:
“Following our successful collaboration with Firecracker on Emma Willis: Delivering Babies, we are extremely excited about this opportunity to shed light on even more of Britain’s most unsung heroes. The Real Midwives of Essex will also take the audience behind the scenes to see what these young midwives get up to beyond their professional roles.”
Following every aspect of their day-to-day, this UKTV Original series will shine a light on who they are, and what it takes to be a hardworking, midwife in today’s modern age.
With exclusive access to Basildon University Hospital, part of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, The Real Midwives of Essex will offer a unique insight into the life of the junior midwives in a way that you’ve never seen before. The series will blend documentary and reality techniques to bring a fresh approach to the genre, while also using social media to help frame the narratives.
The dynamic cast – a tightknit group – will be made up of a mixture of student midwives, their teachers, and newly qualified midwives, following their early-starts and 12-hour shifts, through to their home lives and evenings out together. Midwives are able to qualify after just three years, making them some of the youngest medical professionals in Britain.
Nicki Abbott, Managing Director of Women’s and Children’s Services at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said of the series ‘We are excited to be working with UKTV and Firecracker Films to celebrate our student midwives and help people to see what an important and rewarding career midwifery is.’
The Real Midwives of Essex will air on W and UKTV Play later this year.
Adam Collings, channel director for W:
“It’s such a pleasure to have The Real Midwives of Essex coming to W, this show brings the perfect blend of these midwives’ front line heroics and the reality of their everyday lives. I know W viewers are going to love seeing both sides of these amazing midwives’ lives!”
