In their starched blue pinafores and pristine navy capes, they look every inch the dedicated nurses on their way to help their patients.
But, as these photos show, the two new stars of Call The Midwife have previously taken somewhat more risque roles – appearing in a Spandex leotard, thigh-high garters and fishnet tights that would scandalise Sister Monica Joan.
Natalie Quarry, 25, and Renee Bailey, 28, play student midwives and roommates in the hit BBC drama, which is now in its 13th series.
Ms Quarry is the naive but determined Rosalind Clifford and Ms Bailey is Joyce Highland, who has emigrated from Trinidad to escape a secret past.
The roles are a stark contrast to the actresses’ previous jobs. In her days as a student, Ms Quarry – who attended the drama school Rose Bruford College – appeared on stage in her underwear in a musical production of the romance fantasy, City Of Angels.
Joyce (Renee Bailey) and Rosalind (Natalie Quarry) in Call The Midwife, which is now in its 13th series
In her days as a student, Ms Quarry – who attended the drama school Rose Bruford College – appeared on stage in her underwear in a musical production of the romance fantasy, City Of Angels
In photographs on her personal Instagram page, which has 2,500 followers, she can be seen in white silk underwear and stockings, posing on a bed. She also sang and played the violin throughout the production, later changing into a black strappy 1950s-style dress.
Elsewhere on her Instagram page, the actress shared pictures of herself with her boyfriend of five years, or staring sullenly at the camera wearing bright purple and green eyeshadow.
After graduating from drama school, Ms Quarry made her television debut in an episode of Doctors but the actress always had her sights set on Call The Midwife.
She said: ‘I remember when I was leaving drama school, I was like: ‘Gosh I think I’d be good in Call The Midwife. Maybe I should email them.’
Ms Bailey made her TV debut in 2022 in the BBC Three six-part series, Mood, a musical drama about how young women use social media to achieve their dreams
‘So episode one is kind of a weird full-circle moment to me being big-headed and being like, ‘I’d be good in Call The Midwife’.’
Meanwhile, Ms Bailey made her TV debut in 2022 in the BBC Three six-part series, Mood, a musical drama about how young women use social media to achieve their dreams.
She described the job as a ‘trial by fire’ in an Instagram post, which showed pictures of her dancing in a Spandex leotard, matching fingerless gloves, thigh-high boots and fishnets.
To play the part of a rapper, Paris, Ms Bailey had her hair short and dyed fluorescent green.
