Nothing like it on USA TV. I think little if anything as good on BBC TV either, tho I am neither a big fan nor an expert on BBC fare. What's unique is: - The scripts. I'm watching on DVDs from my library. In first season and 1/2, not a one plot is recylced form anything else I can think of. The standard good nuns and eccentric nuns are present but I welcome them if my choice is serial killers, ersatz policemen and laughtrack humor, - The amount of learning thru empathy. No show I can think of can match Call the Midwife for this, I think. Many long shots of characters simply allowing events to move them, visibly move them, internally. Not over-long either, not early dragged-out Bergman. All shots and editing well-timed for modern audiences. - Most realistic birthing scenes I've seen. These go on but not too long. I cried at one of them recently. If you can imagine being a writer on this show, each new birth has to have a new outcome in the lives of midwives and parents. Not any easy task to write to, even with a real midwife memoir to follow. Acting, production design are top drawer. If you like Doc Martin, you really should give this a chance, even tho it's not a comedy. It's real life.

The only thing negative I have on this show is the title. But the characters are engaging and you quickly find yourself cheering for them. The settings are outstanding as are the costumes and details. A solid drama with just enough small bits of comedy to keep it digestable.