Call the Midwife star offers update on next season – and reveals why she’s “never the lead”

by

In my own words, as an actor, I’ve never been the main star, but I’m proud to say I excel in supporting roles. I believe there’s a significant value in playing these parts, as demonstrated by my diverse career which includes comedy, period dramas, and most recently, Ridley on ITVX.

Instead of portraying Dr. Wendy Newstone, the forensic pathologist, as squeamish like Glen mentions, she was able to convincingly play her role by immersing herself in Richard Shepherd’s book titled “Unnatural Causes.” As one of the first pathologists at the Hungerford rampage scene, Shepherd vividly describes his experiences, which assisted Glen in creating a more authentic portrayal of Wendy. His ability to maintain a professional demeanor in difficult situations provided valuable insights for Glen’s performance.

Here’s one way to rephrase the given text:

“I previously appeared on Silent Witness, however, my role was limited to that of a victim and I met an untimely demise quite swiftly! Despite this, it was a truly remarkable experience, as I had the opportunity to spend an entire day lounging in an orchard. To secure the role, I submitted an audition tape featuring a mannequin positioned on a table for Ridley’s consideration. Amazingly, I landed the job!”

This paraphrase aims to maintain the original text’s meaning while making it more accessible and engaging for readers.

Initially, I found myself accustomed to donning scrubs, a hairnet, and a hood on set. However, Claire Lynch, our brilliant costume designer, allowed me to add a touch of my personal style in certain scenes, where I got to wear more elegant attire, glasses, and ankle boots.

As a child residing in Helensburgh, situated on the banks of the Clyde, Glen used to create items and submit them to Blue Peter. “Through Biddy Baxter’s kindness, I received numerous heartwarming letters and was awarded four Blue Peter badges.

Following some time, she moved her portfolio to London from Glasgow School of Art. After securing a job as a graphic designer at Thames & Hudson book publishers, she quipped during her interview about her ability to play alto sax and tap dance – perhaps they found her quite eccentric! Five years later, she gracefully stepped onto the stage, indicating her departure from the company.

The decision to switch careers to acting was sparked by encountering Alan Rickman. Prior to this, I was only a casual participant in the Questors Theatre, taking part in productions as a pastime. One evening, he graced our stage to critique the performance. Until then, I’d never considered acting as a possibility. As he had been a graphic designer and ventured into acting at his late twenties, he encouraged me to give it a try. His advice left a lasting impact, as the following day I submitted my application to drama school. Timing was perfect because I joined Bristol Old Vic just at the right age for the roles that later became part of my repertoire.

Throughout much of my professional journey, I’ve split my time between different tasks here and there. I’ve been quite fortunate, yet I’ve frequently admired actors who receive their schedules for the next day! My first more consistent role was Waterloo Road – having a routine certainly makes a difference. The fear I experienced on the first day of The Crown, playing Diana Spencer’s grandmother, was indescribable!

We’re shooting the upcoming season of Call the Midwife until November. I have a soft spot for costume dramas since they provide a good foundation! They even tailored some suits specifically for me at London-based Angels Costumes. When something fits perfectly, it makes all the difference. Moreover, when costumes are made for you, your name gets stitched inside. So whenever those suits are loaned out in the future, they’ll always be known as Miss Higgins’.

The appeal of the characters in Heidi Thomas’s writing is noteworthy. It’s uncommon to see mature women depicted frequently on television; often, they serve as the token older character. Linda Bassett, who portrays Nurse Crane, and I particularly cherish our shared scenes. Despite our characters originating from distinct backdrops, our on-screen friendship seems to resonate with viewers.

Initially, you might find it surprising that Glen’s initial encounter with TV was in comedy sketch shows featuring Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse. More recently, she has collaborated with Julia Davis and Daisy May Cooper. Apart from her passion for comedy, what other interests does she have? “I’ve become quite fond of Slow Horses,” she explains, “and Dept Q as well. I’m also a big fan of Radio 4. I’ve worked on Radio Rep and find it an amazing platform.

She humbly acknowledges that the work of an actor is merely a small piece in the larger puzzle of a collaborative creative process, which involves extensive preparation and planning, and ultimately serves to honor the efforts that came before.

Even though Glen might not have been the main actor, the stage seems more radiant due to her subtle yet exceptionally brilliant supporting roles.

Read More

2025-09-02 03:20