Dame Jude Dench starred in Heidi Thomas' delightful period drama which aired in 200717:15, 02 Jun 2026Call the Midwife wraps up in emotional finale The classic costume drama is also on BBC iPlayer.‌Before Call the Midwife hit television screens, show creator Heidi Thomas had already released another 'excellent' period drama.‌Call the Midwife launched on the BBC back in 2012 and became an overnight success among period drama fans. The show is based on Jennifer Worth's memoirs, recounting her experiences as a district nurse and midwife in the poverty-stricken East End of London during the 1950s.‌The historical drama aired its heartbreaking series 15 finale earlier this year, which saw the future of Nonnatus House remain unknown and confirmed the death of Sister Monica Joan (played by Judy Parfitt) following chronic kidney disease.Fans are now awaiting fresh episodes of Call the Midwife, which will arrive as a prequel mini-series, Sisters in Arms, expected to air over Christmas 2026. In the meantime, fans can watch another of Heidi Thomas' period dramas starring Judi Dench.‌Cranford, which first aired on the BBC in 2007, takes viewers on a journey through life in a small Cheshire town on the cusp of change in the 1840s.Based on Elizabeth Gaskell’s novels, the story picks up in late summer 1844 and revolves around the women of Cranford, led by Miss Matty Jenkyns (Judi Dench), Miss Pole (Imelda Staunton), and Mrs Forrester (Julia McKenzie), who must confront looming social changes.The ladies live their lives somewhat rooted in the past, but the Industrial Revolution is about to change everything, and these ladies are determined to put up a fight before it does. Having first aired in 2007, it’s the perfect escapist watch two decades later.‌Over the course of five episodes, the residents of Cranford navigate gossip, romance, and the pressures of the revolution.After the drama, conflict, death, and some humour, of the first series, a two-part follow-up, Return to Cranford, aired in 2009, in which Judi Dench reprised her role as the compassionate and kind-hearted Miss Jenkyns.‌Cranford consists of seven episodes, making it an easy, digestible period drama for fans needing a fix.On IMDB, one fan dubbed the show "Absolutely delightful!", while another confessed: "Simply Delicious. If you thought that North and South 2004, Bleak House 2005, and Jane Eyre 2006 were heroic steps forward.""Just wonderful in every way. I cannot believe that anyone could miss this wonderful piece of work", said another.Article continues belowOn Rotten Tomatoes, one viewer dubbed the show an "instant classic", while another exclaimed: "Cranford has a remarkable cast and cracking performances."Call the Midwife is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, while Cranford is available to watch on Channel4.com