Call the Midwife star Laura Main has spoken out about her new role as a carer, saying her "heart goes out" to all those in similar roles providing elderly care. The 48-year-old actress, who portrayed Nurse Shelagh Turner, explained that the beloved BBC drama's break has given her the flexibility to care for her 91-year-old mother.
Laura Main's Transition to Carer
Speaking at the TRIC Awards, Main said: "I'm a carer now. Right now, my mum is my priority. She is 91 and needs support. For 15 years I was doing Call The Midwife, but I've now had a change to the rhythm of my life. Because we aren't filming a new series, I have the chance to do this, so it's good timing."
Describing herself as "blessed" to spend quality time with her mother, Main added: "Being a carer is an incredible job. We are having such a nice time. We get on so well. It's lovely. I feel really blessed to be able to give this time to my mum. She gave her life to her family."
Praise for Care Professionals
Main also praised the BBC One drama for highlighting the vital work of care professionals. She said: "On Call The Midwife we've represented nurses, midwives and the care community and it's an extraordinary thing to help one another. My heart goes out to people who are carers for years and years. They should get as much support as possible. They do an incredible service that people need at certain points in their life or throughout their life. It's about supporting one another."
Upcoming Pantomime Role
Main revealed that her upcoming role will be in pantomime this Christmas, where she'll play Sleeping Beauty. She confessed: "I love doing that. My sisters said to me: 'You can't down tools completely, you've got to keep going'."
Call the Midwife's Awards and Future
Call the Midwife received a nomination for Best Drama at the TRIC Awards on Tuesday, June 23, but lost to Adolescence. The BBC drama has consistently ranked among the BBC's top five most-watched dramas annually from 2012 through to 2026.
Last week brought the announcement of a prequel series, Call the Midwife: Sisters in Arms, set in Poplar during the Second World War. Jenny Agutter returns as Sister Julienne and will narrate the three-part series, with Helena Wilson portraying her younger self. Amy Booth-Steel will assume the role of Sister Evangelina, previously played by Pam Ferris, whose character died on screen in series five in 2016. Helen Schlesinger will follow in Judy Parfitt's footsteps as Sister Monica Joan. Dr Patrick Turner, played by Stephen McGann, will be portrayed by Ben Rose as a fresh medical school graduate. Fred Buckle, originally played by Cliff Parisi, will be played by Ciaran Bowling. The prequel is scheduled to broadcast at Christmas.
