Model PUPILS

RENEE BAILEY and NATALIE QUARRY on playing Nonnatus House's newest recruits

- CAREN CLARK, ELAINE REILLY

CALL THE MIDWIFE SUNDAY, 8PM, BBC1 DRAMA

Joining the cast of Call the Midwife has been a dream come true for Natalie Quarry and Renee Bailey. The rising stars made their debuts as enthusiastic pupil midwives Rosalind Clifford and Joyce Highland last week when the popular BBC1 period drama returned for a 13th series - and the characters have certainly hit the ground running!

Socially-conscious Rosalind has already attended a dramatic birth, during which she was held hostage by a gangster, while this Sunday's episode sees diligent Trinidadian Joyce face her own challenges as she helps a single mum-to-be whose eldest child becomes unwell due to mould in their flat.

Here, Natalie and Renee tell TV Times why they feel right at home in Nonnatus House...

So, Natalie, what can you reveal about Rosalind?

NATALIE I love her – she’s fabulous! She’s sensitive, empathetic, strong-headed and practical. Rosalind cares about her studies and becomes close to all the mothers. She’s going to be an amazing midwife. And I was interested in researching the political unrest at the time [this season is set in 1969], because she is really concerned about that.

And, Renee, could you tell us about Joyce?

RENEE The Call the Midwife team gave us detailed character breakdowns, and Joyce is from a different country, so I had to think about how long she has been here and her whole story. I talked to friends and people from Trinidad, because there are so many different elements we will see to her character and her journey.

Joining the show at the same time, have you formed a close bond?