22-04-2025
Midwife star Laura so glad to be told TV chiefs were not plotting her character's death
Call the Midwife star Laura Main said producers gave her early warning about her storyline to reassure her that her character wasn't being killed off.
The Aberdeen-born actress, who has played sister Shelagh Turner in all 14 series of the hit drama, said she and her co-stars never know what will be in the scripts prior to filming.
TV executives told her of a major plot development before any of the other cast, which includes Jenny Agutter, Stephen McGann and Judy Parfitt.
It came ahead of filming for the second series – which included a storyline about her character contracting a life-threatening disease, leaving her fate uncertain.
Main said: 'I got a knock on my trailer door from the producer and he said, 'Okay, so there's going to be a script coming and your character gets tuberculosis'.
'He added, 'But don't worry, you will survive,' which was pretty nice of him. I think he was worried I would get my hands on it before I was meant to and get a bit concerned.'
Main, 43, also revealed a charming tactic she has to help the child actors she works with on the show relax.
She said: 'I've got a really good trick – I sing a nursery rhyme. I'll be doing a round of Row Your Boat, so we are all singing away and they don't cry then. That's my top tip!'
Main was speaking as she promoted the work of The Archie Foundation – a charity that exists to transform experiences and outcomes in healthcare and bereavement for children and families.
Discussing her role as patron of the charity, she said that the staff at Archie 'complement the wonderful NHS'.
She added: 'So, when I was asked if I'd like to become a patron, I thought it was a humungous honour.'
