Groundbreaking documentary series One Born Every Minute is being revived eight years after it was cancelled.
The Bafta-winning fly-on-the-wall show, filmed in a maternity unit, drew to a close in 2018, having aired 11 seasons.
But a lot has changed since then, and the reboot will place cameras in the heart of an NHS hit by budget cuts and staff shortages.
One Born Every Minute will capture the unpredictable experiences of expectant families as well as the medical staff supporting them, and will show real-life experiences of labour and delivery. The original series was so acclaimed it won a Bafta for Best Factual Series in 2010.
The new series will consist of 12 episodes and will air on E4 as opposed to Channel 4, where it was originally broadcast.
Vivienne Molokwu, Senior Commissioning Editor, Reality & Entertainment and Commissioning Lead for E4, said: “Nearly 10 years on, we feel very privileged to once again follow the journey that parents embark on as they welcome their babies to the world.
“We know the roller coaster of emotions that this period brings is something that will really resonate with the E4 audience, and we cannot wait for our viewers to see how the digital age has reshaped how families navigate this stage of life.”
Meanwhile, Will Rowson, Co-Creative Director at programme makers Dragonfly TV, said: “There’s such affection for One Born Every Minute.
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“In the years it’s been away, so much around pregnancy and maternity care has changed, making this an exciting moment to reimagine the show.”
The show’s return comes at a crucial time for maternity wards. Earlier this year, a national maternity and neonatal investigation (NMNI), led by Baroness Valerie Amos, exposed failures including capacity issues, racism and discrimination and lack of accountability when things go wrong.
It highlighted the poor condition of hospitals, with rooms unusable due to leaking roofs and fire hazards, leaving women forced to give birth in corridors. In one hospital, women who needed an assisted vaginal delivery had to deliver their babies with the door of their room open due to a lack of space.
“It is inconceivable that anyone would choose to give birth in such a manner. We have to ask ourselves how this can be regarded as acceptable in 2026?” the report questioned.