Delivering the goods

As CallthemidwifeCallth celebrates 10 years on screen, LauraL Main, who plays Shelagh, reflects on an inc incredible decade, writes Lisa Woolford

FROM sh shy nun Sister Bernadette to wife and a mother-of-four Shelagh Turner, it’s been quite the journ journey for Laura Main on Call the Midwife. As the belove beloved British drama notches up 10 years y on our screens, the Sco Scottish actress still pinc pinches herself that she landed the role and tha that the series has reson resonated across the globe globe. “I had no ide idea – I just hoped that we c could do a second series, you y know,” the 40-year-old explains from her Aberd Aberdeen home. “Each (subsequ (subsequent) series was just a lovely surprise. s And then there was a p point where we knew we had three m more series. “It’s a ver very nice position to be in. And the f fact that it’s extended over a decade – I feel really fortunate and lucky.”

She’s lov loved watching her onscreen per persona change dramatically over that d decade.

“She’s no n longer a nun, and now she’s mar married,” Main says. “She’s had a biological biol child that she didn’t thin think she could have. And she’s a step-mum and a foster parent. par “But the th main thing is that she just got m more and more confident and comf comfortable in her life. She is just so utterly content and has a great job j that she loves, and a really, re really wonderful family, and gre great partner in Dr Turner. So it’s q quite a contrast from the unassu unassuming, quiet, quite shy nun sh she was right back at the beginn beginning.”

It’s h her favourite part of being Shelagh – watching the Turner family grow from just herself,

Patrick (Ste (Stephen Mcgann) and his son Timoth Timothy to their current brood. And watching watch those actors who play Timot Timothy (Max Macmillan), Angela (Ali (Alice Brown), May (April Rae Hoang) and Teddy (Ned Shaw) grow up.

“I just love lov all those kids,” Main says. “And the t partnership with

Stephen - we are genuinely great, great friends. Max was tiny when he started. Just a little 11-year-old and now he’s one of the adults and he’s off at uni.”

Starring Emmy Award-winning actress Jenny Agutter, Linda Bassett, Helen George and Leonie Elliott, this 10th season is set in 1966, and it’s a testing time for the midwives. But there’s excitement, too, as the women’s rights movement intensifies.

The season begins with change on the horizon in Poplar. Sister Julienne (Agutter) must determine whether a private clinic venture that will generate much-needed income for Nonnatus House is a suitable workplace for the sisters, and enlists the help of Trixie (George). The plan causes great tension between Sister Julienne and Dr Turner, who is strongly against private health care. Their first falling out in over 20 years is felt by all, in particular Shelagh, who feels caught in the middle.

Main realises just how lucky she is to be working in an ensemble cast dominated by women. There are one or two men around obviously – but essentially “it’s about a bunch of women and, more importantly, a bunch of women who get on with each other, who are supportive and collaborate with each other”.

“Back in the day, I just could not believe that I was a nun alongside

Jenny Agutter, Judy Parfitt and Pam Ferris,” Main shares. “You know, these incredible actresses. These famous actresses that I admire and I just could not believe that I was in their company and got to hang out with them.

“I remember thinking this program is unique. There is nothing else like it.”

“And they would say to us this doesn’t happen every time ... that (a series) takes off in this way. And that we should appreciate it.”

CALL THE MIDWIFE

10AM, MONDAY (ENCORE 7.30PM), BBC FIRST AND FOXTEL ON DEMAND