Actress Laura Main has been a shining star in Call the Midwife since the period drama first aired in 2012. The 43-year-old was introduced to fans of the popular series as Sister Bernadette, who began questioning her religious calling during the second season.
Devotees of the BBC's historical drama will remember Sister Bernadette's brave choice to leave the St. Raymond Nonnatus order and tie the knot with Dr. Patrick Turner (portrayed by Stephen McGann) in truly touching scenes.
Now going by Shelagh Turner, she is not only a nurse but also a devoted mother to Timothy, Angela, May, and Teddy. The beloved family resides in a snug home, offering medical assistance to Poplar locals in need.
However, beyond the harsh realities of the 1970s East End, the much-adored Laura has also made waves on stage and featured in other well-liked TV programmes.
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BBC)While Laura is candid about her acting career, the Scottish star prefers to keep her personal life out of the limelight. Here's what we've gathered about her off-camera existence.
Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Laura has two elder sisters. She studied history at the University of Aberdeen before chasing her dream of drama at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
The television star began her acting journey at 14, taking on the lead role in Annie at the Phoenix Youth Theatre, followed by a stint in The Sound of Music at 15. Laura has also graced the stage in numerous productions with The Royal Shakespeare Company.
In 2017, she landed the role of Princess Fiona in the second UK tour of Shrek The Musical. Last year, she took centre stage in Steel Magnolias, sharing the spotlight with ex-EastEnders actress Lucy Speed and current Queen Vic boss Harriet Thorpe, who portrays Elaine Peacock in the show.
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Humphrey Nemar/sunday express)On the telly, Laura's first recognised part was in The Forsyte Saga back in 2003, followed by her portrayal of Jaynie Cresswell in Monarch of the Glen a year later.
Fast forward to 2007, Laura stepped into the shoes of Julia Mason in the BBC medical drama Holby City, before taking on the character Deirdre Hunter in 2011.
She's also graced other medical dramas like BBC's Doctors as Kate Wilkinson in 2016, and Amanda Luckhurst in 2011.
In 2012, Laura made her debut in Call the Midwife as a nun, and viewers have been captivated by her character's journey over the past 13 years.
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BBC / Neal Street Productions / Olly Courtney)Alongside her role in Call the Midwife, Laura lends her voice to the character Pak Choi in the CBeebies series Roots and Fruits, a part she's held since 2022.
Off-screen, Laura prefers to keep her personal life under wraps. However, it's been suggested that the star is single - having previously been linked to theatre actor Stephen McGlynn from 2012 to 2017.
The pair reportedly hit it off while performing in Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical, State Fair. Unfortunately, their love story ended after five years, and she hasn't publicly announced another relationship since.
When she spoke to the Sunday Post, she asserted, "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."
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PA)Laura displays the essence of a strong familial bond, offering fans an occasional peek into her personal life beyond the character of Shelagh Turner, with some candid images making their way onto Instagram.
In October 2021, she enthusiastically participated in the Archies Hill Challenge with her sister, nephew, and niece and shared an elated selfie to commemorate their accomplishment at the event.
Presently, Laura is gracing screens as Shelagh Turner in the fourteenth season of Call the Midwife, which is captivating audiences every Sunday at 8pm on BBC One.
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