With Call The Midwife returning for its 11th series, fans were overjoyed when they saw regular face Laura Main back on their screens.
Laura has been a firm fixture on the BBC programme since 2012, when she burst onto our screens as a nun and midwife when the series first began.
Laura Main was a hit when she portrayed the role of Sister Bernadette, otherwise known as Shelagh Turner, and is still a fan favourite part of the show today.
In the second series of the East End drama series, Sister Bernadette questioned her path in life after recovering from a bout of tuberculosis.
(Image: BBC/Neal Street Productions/Laurence Cendrowicz)
She decided to step away from the nun life, and left the order of St Raymond Nonnatus in order to marry Dr Turner, who is portrayed by actor Stephen McGann.
Despite the Scottish actress being on our screens for more than a decade, the only role she’s known for is in the BBC drama series – but she has had a long and successful career.
“Groundbreaking” BBC series
(Image: BBC / Nealstreat Productions / Sophie Mutevelian)
With the new series gracing our screens, Laura spoke out about the “groundbreaking” series, as she dubbed it.
Speaking in a BBC press interview, Laura said: “It has lots of women in it. There are one or two men around, but it is 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.”
Born and raised in Aberdeen
(Image: @lauramain1/Instagram)
The stunning actress was born and raised in Aberdeen, Scotland, and has two older sisters.
She studied history at the University of Aberdeen, but fast realised she wanted to pursue her wildest acting dreams.
After her history degree, she went on to study drama at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
Sad split
(Image: @lauramain1/Instagram)
Laura split from her partner Stephen McGlynn in 2017. Like her, he was a keen actor, but focused on theatre work.
At the time, Laura told the Sunday Post: “If anyone were to look on the internet, they would think I was still in a relationship, but let’s just say I am now single.”
The actress doesn’t have any kids, but has previously said that she would “like to have a family – if the right person comes along”.
Keen sportsperson
(Image: @lauramain1/Instagram)
The stunning star has previously opened up about her health and fitness habits to the Irish News.
She revealed that she does “yoga, runs, walks and cycles”.
“Running the London Marathon two years ago made me realise how beneficial it is to exercise regularly. It’s not a level I could sustain but now I’m more conscious about staying fit,” she said.
“I’ve begun meditating, which I find a useful tool for wellbeing and for acting,” she also revealed.
She then added: “Before I step onto a set or go on stage, I’ll plug myself into a meditation app for around 20 minutes. It takes me out of my head and my worries and makes me much more in the moment and focused.”
Holby City star
(Image: Getty Images)
But although we all know and love Laura from her Call The Midwife career, at 40 years of age, Laura has appeared in a vast array of TV series and stage productions.
In 2007 Laura appeared in BBC drama Holby City as Julia Mason, and then returned to the medical drama for another stint where she played Deirdre Hunter in 2011.
A keen actress in medical dramas, she has also popped up in Doctors as Kate Wilkinson in 2016.
Not only is she a keen medical actress, but she’s a pretty good dancer, too, and Laura won a Children In Need Strictly Come Dancing special in 2015, when she was partnered with Brendan Cole.
Starting out on the stage
(Image: Getty Images)
Her talents aren’t restricted to the TV, because believe it or not, Laura’s career started on-stage.
Starting out at 14, Laura is a keen stage actress and played the title role of Annie at the Phoenix Youth Theatre.
She then moved on to acting in The Sound of Music stage musical at just 15 years of age.
Laura has also acted and performed with The Royal Shakespeare Company and performed at Regents Park Open Air Theatre.
2017 saw Laura play the role of Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical, which toured the country. And just last year she starred in a pantomime around Christmastime in Aberdeen – her hometown.
We can’t wait to see what she gets up to next!
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
