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.
If you’re ever on the #CallTheMidwife Location Tour, be sure to keep an eye out for an undercover @LauraMain1 🤫
Full episode of @InfiniteHermit’s show available now on #Spotify – https://t.co/maqvhWsVrc pic.twitter.com/99oJ2fBli4
— FUBAR Radio (@FubarRadio) January 30, 2019
And Call The Midwife has become a festive blockbuster with last month’s special crowned the most-watched programme on Christmas Day for the first time, with viewing figures of 8.7 million.
Now the show’s loyal fans could well drive the stars to National Television Awards glory on Tuesday night when it’s nominated for best drama.
But actress Laura Main insists the cast never take success or their viewers for granted. Or, for that matter, their role in the show.
For a cosy 1960s period drama, the series is never afraid of giving viewers a start and the sudden departure of Charlotte Ritchie at the end of the last series was one of those moments when nurse Barbara Hereward died after contracting septicaemia.
Laura said: “We have a WhatsApp group that we are all on, from whatever series. You don’t get dropped just because you’re no longer in the programme. We’re all still friends.”
“I don’t want killed off yet,” she said.
“In fact, I don’t ever want killed off.
“Shelagh has changed over the years with the things she’s gotten to do. I’m so proud to be a part of it.
“Three more series were commissioned after series six and this is number eight, so we’ve got one more series anyway.”
Laura, 37, is grateful for the loyalty of the show’s “amazing” viewers.
“We were anxiously looking at the long list for ages and wondering if we’d make it, but they got us on to this shortlist,” she said.
“Call the Midwife did well from the opening series but it feels like it has even grown in popularity.
“They care passionately about the show and want to share that. Seeing we were the most-watched show on Christmas Day was almost humbling.
“We were genuinely excited and, really, you never lose that. We never take it for granted and the feelings the cast and crew have had since the first series has never changed. We all love it dearly.”
Two of TV’s longest-running dramas, Casualty and Doctor Who, provide the opposition, alongside Our Girl and Peaky Blinders.
Bodyguard, starring Richard Madden, and Killing Eve will do battle in the best new drama category.
Aberdeen-born Laura has been with the show since the start, initially as Sister Bernadette and now as Dr Turner’s wife, Shelagh.
A stylist has been on hand this week to help her choose the right outfit for the big night.
“I was talking about a beautiful ball gown I get to wear in one of the episodes,” revealed Laura.
“But it’s one thing having a costume designer dress you for a character and another going as yourself to something.
“It’s just nice to have a stylist helping me so I’m not doing it all on my own.
“They can be quite nerve-racking nights but at the same time you’re going along with your friends and it’s a celebration of your efforts over the year.”
Laura has kept busy with other projects away from Call the Midwife, including touring the UK as Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical last year.
It meant, for the most part, less opportunity to get back to see her folks in Aberdeen.
“I just finished the tour last week in Leeds and my family came down to see it one last time,” added Laura. “They were there at the start when we opened in Edinburgh and I had two weeks when were in Aberdeen.
“Getting to stay with mum and dad was lovely but I was away at lot. Once I’ve got the NTAs out of the way I’ve told them I’m definitely coming up to hang out.”
The NTAs will be screened live on ITV on Tuesday. You can vote for your favourites at nationaltvawards.com
