Filming underway on 'Call the Midwife' Season 7

June 11 (UPI) -- Filming has begun on the next Christmas special and seventh season of the 1960s London-set drama Call the Midwife.

The show will return with fresh episodes on the BBC in Britain and PBS in the United States. It stars Jenny Agutter, Linda Bassett, Judy Parfitt, Helen George, Laura Main, Charlotte Ritchie, Victoria Yeates, Jennifer Kirby, Stephen McGann, Jack Ashton, Cliff Parisi, Annabelle Apsion and Jack Hawkins. Leonie Elliott is joining the cast this season.

"Call the Midwife continues to delight viewers in both the U.K. and the U.S. with charming storylines and lovable characters," Beth Hoppe, chief programming executive and general manager of general audience programming for PBS, said in a statement. "We are looking forward to continuing our relationship with our BBC and Neal Street partners as we bring the midwives back this December and embark on a seventh season together."

"We can't wait to introduce the audience to our new midwife, Lucille, played by the hugely talented and captivating Leonie Elliott," added Pippa Harris, executive producer for Neal Street Productions. "From her first audition, Leonie managed to embody the essence of this elegant, intelligent, witty character, who Heidi Thomas has created with her customary skill. Lucille is a fantastic addition to the Nonnatus House team and we know she will be warmly welcomed by the nuns and midwives."