As three more years of Call The Midwife are confirmed, actress Laura Main talks to Gabrielle Fagan about life on and off screen.
Shelagh Turner, Laura Main’s character in Call The Midwife, has certainly had her share of challenges and tear-jerking storylines – renouncing her vows as a nun after falling in love with Dr Turner, followed by fertility struggles and the journey to adoption.
The hit BBC series’ sensitive and emotion-loaded plots have been immensely rewarding for Main however, who’s been on the show from its outset in 2012.
The 38-year-old actress from Aberdeen – who, in real life, is softly-spoken, self-effacing and down-to-earth in much the same way as her character – admits she “never dreamt” Call The Midwife would be such a “huge success” and would run for so long.
Due to it’s huge popularity, it was recently confirmed that the show will run until 2022, covering up until 1967 (it was 1957 when it started).
Here, Main talks about what being part of the series means to her, what she’s learned along the way, and how running and meditation apps are an important part of her wellness regime…
What’s it like being on such a successful long-running show?
“It’s made with such love and care and we all get on so well, it actually doesn’t feel like making a TV show. It’s become like a way of life and like a family. We’re all very supportive of each other and socialise outside of work, so it’s brought me a whole bunch of new friends as well.
“I never dreamt when I first auditioned in 2011 that we’d be filming series nine now, and with series 10 and 11 planned, we’ll be on screen until 2022.
“[Call The Midwife] seems to resonate with all generations. For some, it takes them down memory lane, while for others it’s educational. It also taps into some real big core human values and desires, so an episode can touch people, be cathartic and also funny. And I think one part of its appeal is it’s so refreshing to see women supporting each other and collaborating. Another strength is the way it tackles tough, difficult issues with such care, and there’s incredibly thorough research so every detail is correct.”
What does your character Shelagh mean to you?
“If she was a real person, I think I’d like her in real life. I can see little bits of her which are like me – she’s quite precise, careful and thoughtful – but I think she’s calmer than me. Although she copes way better than I ever would with her incredibly busy life, working and bringing up a family.
Scottish actress Laura Main is one of the stars in a hugely popular British TV show.
The Aberdonian stars as Sister Bernadette in the BBC1 drama series Call the Midwife.
She tells Scottish Field about growing up, acting and being painted green… all in the name of her work, of course!
You grew up in Aberdeen?
Yes – born and bred in Aberdeen. I went to Hazlehead Primary and Hazlehead Academy and then I went to Aberdeen University actually so before I then came to London and went to Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, where I did my acting training, I studied History of Art at Aberdeen University. I made full use of the theatre scene in Aberdeen over the years.
It was one of the big reasons why I actually stayed in Aberdeen – I had my sights set on drama school but I maybe didn’t feel quite ready at 18 to go to London, I also quite wanted to have something a bit more, pursue my academic career a bit more beforehand, just have something to have – to have flexibility further on and options, not just to put all my eggs into one basket in acting.
The fact that there was this great theatre scene in Aberdeen with the student show. I was about 11 and I went to see my first student show and I turned to my mum and I said ‘I want to go to Aberdeen University so I can be in that.’ So, I did do that! I knew that if I stayed in Aberdeen that it would just take the pressure off financially – I could stay at home – if I was then going to do further training, I had to think about all of those things. Also just knowing that I had my dancing classes I was going to, I knew that there was this great student theatre scene, so I knew that by staying there I wouldn’t get distracted by moving to another city and not knowing where to start really.
Do you still go back home?
I do – it’s been a little tricky this year because when I haven’t been filming Call the Midwife, I’ve been on tour with Shrek: The Musical. So it’s been a little trickier this year. However, they came down to see us in Edinburgh, and we also did two weeks in Aberdeen and that was a real thrill – that was just lovely. Having done lots of shows there growing up over the years. I also once did The Sound of Music in Aberdeen which was a professional production – they took the Von Trap children from whichever city they were going to – it was this brilliant, beautiful production with an all-star cast, and I just remember being back stage and in the wings thinking, ‘Gosh, people do this for a living! This is their job!’ So, that was definitely when the seed was sown. But I’ve never really gone back as a professional really, so it was really special to finally get to do that this year with Shrek.
But I’ve had a bit of time off between finishing Call the Midwife and going back into the show, so I made sure I went up to Aberdeen twice. It’s just nice to be home and to see everybody. My mum and dad are there, and I’ve got two sisters who have kids, so there are loads of reasons to head up.
