PBS Call The Midwife: Phyllis Crane actress Linda Bassett's life from real age to family tragedy

Publish date: 2024-05-20

As a core member of the cast, Phyllis Crane has become a Call The Midwife fan favourite since she joined in series four of the show. Initially introduced as temporary cover for Sister Evangelina (played by Pam Ferris), the stern but big-hearted character has remained on the show ever since.

Over eight seasons, the audience might feel like they have gotten to know the TV nurse but many will be unfamiliar with the story of the actress who plays her Linda Bassett. The 73-year-old was originally born in Kent in 1950 and was somewhat of a late bloomer in the acting world, only making her stage debut at the age of 32.

Since then, her career has gone from strength to strength appearing in TV shows and stage productions consistently for the past four decades. Linda has appeared in series such as Heartbeat in 1992, Midsomer Murders in 1997, Dinner Ladies in 1998 and period drama Lark Rise to Candleford in 2008.

READ MORE: Call The Midwife fans 'desperate' to see character return after she disappeared

Linda has also appeared in films making her debut on the silver screen in 1987 when she played the character, Gertrude Stein, in American Playhouse and Janet Swanton in Paris by Night (1988).

She is known for her role as Ella Khan in East is East (1999). A comedy-drama about George Khan, a Pakistani who is married to Ella Khan, a quintessential British woman and his constant battle to instil traditional Pakistani Muslim values in his six children.

Linda also played Cora alongside Hollywood stars Helen Mirren and Julie Walters in the smash hit Calendar Girls. In recent years, her role on Call The Midwife has cemented her as a recognisable face across the UK with her character beloved by fans.

However, Linda has admitted she doesn’t really get the audience's appreciation for Phyllis saying she was “baffled” by viewers' adoration for the tough but fair nurse. In a previous interview, she opened up and talked about fans who recognise her and tell her how much they love her character. "You can only react to that kind of thing with warmth," she smiled.

Linda’s private life is not extremely well documented but she was married to her husband Julian Foster for a decade before they divorced. The pair has not discussed the circumstances surrounding their breakup. Julian is a well-known journalist and while Linda was busy filming Call The Midwife, Julian lived with her in London.

Linda suffered a family tragedy five years ago when her nephew, Dominic, was killed by a drug-driver when he was 41. Dominic, who was a university lecturer, was on his motorbike when he was killed back in 2018.

He was also a dad-of-one and he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury with neck and spine injuries after the incident. His family made the heart-breaking decision to switch off his life support 10 days later.

Linda said her nephew and his wife "were full of plans for the future" when she attended court. She said he was "full of anticipation for their first Christmas in their new house".

"He went on his bike because the train journey was longer and he wanted to be home each night in time for Harvey's bath," she added. The tragedy is a sad chapter in a period of great success for the actress who is looking to continue playing her popular character until at least 2024.

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