BAFTA-award-winning documentary One Born Every Minute has officially returned to screens after an eight-year hiatus, premiering its brand-new series on Sunday, October 25.
Having originally run for 11 seasons between 2010 and 2018 on Channel 4, the pioneering fixed-rig observational series is back for a 12-episode run on E4, chronicling the intimate, emotional journeys of childbirth at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester.
The new series of One Born Every Minute heads to Manchester
Produced by Dragonfly TV (part of Banijay UK) for E4, the new series captures contemporary Britain in 2026—spotlighting evolving family dynamics, advances in maternity care, and the real-world challenges faced daily by NHS staff. Filmed on location at St Mary’s Oxford Road maternity unit, the series brings fresh voices and a modern perspective to the universal experience of birth.
Ahead of the broadcast, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust celebrated the hospital’s central role in the reboot on social media: “You’ve heard of the gender reveal… well, this is the location reveal! We’re delighted to share that Channel 4 is bringing back One Born Every Minute, and they’re going to be filming with our amazing maternity team at Saint Mary’s Oxford Road!
“We’re looking forward to bringing cameras inside our modern maternity unit, showing everyone the caring and complex work that our staff do as they deliver the next generation of Mancunians.”
Staying true to its signature format, the production relies on fixed-rig cameras to capture the raw, unvarnished, and unpredictable moments shared between expectant parents and the medical teams guiding them through labour.
“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.”
Discussing the revival, Vivienne Molokwu, Senior Commissioning Editor for 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.”
Will Rowson, Co-Creative Director at Dragonfly TV, added: “There’s such affection for One Born Every Minute, and we’re thrilled to return to it. 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 for an E4 audience.”
Following its October 25 launch, One Born Every Minute airs weekly on E4, with episodes available to stream on Channel 4.
