BBC Call the Midwife: Pam Ferris's life from why she quit as Sister Evangelina to forgotten movie ro

Call the Midwife fans will know Pam Ferris as Sister Evangelina and a resident of Nonnatus House. The devout nun was an extremely skilled, no-nonsense, midwife and was committed to medically assisting the poorest people of Poplar, East London.

The actress appeared in the very first scene of the BBC period drama in 2012 as she attempted to break-up a fight involving Pearl Winston, played by EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley. However, in series five Sister Evangelina suffered a stroke which she tried to keep a secret until Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) notices she isn't moving her arm.

In the season finale, Sister Evangelina passed away following a second stroke and was found in an armchair by Fred Buckle (Cliff Parisi). Pam Ferris reportedly left Call the Midwife due to a hectic production schedule and a lack of time for her personal life.

"Making the decision to leave Call the Midwife was a wrench but, because I then became involved with telling the story to the best of my ability, there was no time to feel regret," she told The Mirror.

"I’ll miss my friends on set – in front of and behind the camera – and I’ll miss my habit which is so well worn and comfortable. But I shan’t miss my wimple!"

The 74-year-old star has carved out a very successful acting career starting back in 1983 when she appeared in the comedy-drama Meantime. Then her next significant role came in the form of the blockbuster movie Matilda in 1996.

Based on the Roald Dahl novel of the same name, Matilda follows a young genius who discovers she has a magical ability that she uses against her mean family and an 'evil' teacher.

Pam Ferris as Miss Trunchbull:

Starring alongside Hollywood icon Danny Di Vito (Mr. Wormwood), Pam played the part of the ruthless Miss Agatha Trunchbull, the principal of Crunchem Hall Elementary School.

Trunchbull was a villain and had a nasty streak when it came down to caring for the pupils at her school.

She would torment children and we all remember the scene where she made Bruce Bogtrotter eat a whole chocolate cake in front of the school.

In the movie, Ferris looks worlds away from her Call the Midwife role as she wears a military-style uniform, her hair slicked back and sports a very scary smile.

Fans of TV comedy dramas will know Pam as Ma Larkin in The Darling Buds of May who was married to Pop Larkin played by Only Fools and Horses star David Jason. The ITV show aired in the early 90s and is set in rural Kent in the 1950s.

She's also starred in Rosemary & Thyme, Luther, Casualty, the first Nativity! film and as Smithy's mum Cath in the popular BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey.

Harry Potter fans will remember when Pam Ferris got blown up as Aunt Marge in Prisoner of Azkaban.

Since leaving Call the Midwife, Ferris played Queen Victoria in the 2018 film Holmes & Watson and Mrs. Faulkner in Tolkien the following year. In 2020, she played Madame Gaudin in Urban Myths.

Away from the limelight, Pam is married to fellow actor Roger Frost who has appeared in several major TV shows and films over the years.

One of his most notable roles was portraying an annoying customer in the 1999 romantic comedy film, Notting Hill which also starred Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. Fans will remember the scene where Roger's character pays a visit to William Thacker’s travel book shop, only to pester him about non-fiction novels.

He has also appeared in several TV series including Doctors, The Bill and Doc Martin, and also starred in BBC One drama, The Diary of Anne Frank.

The pair tied the knot in 1986 and now reside in Elham, Kent. Speaking to The Guardian back in 2012 about her decision to get married in her late 30s and not have children, Pam said: "I was obsessed with work in my youth. It's why I didn't get married until I was 38 and the reason I didn't have kids."

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Abbie Anker

Update: 2024-05-15

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