From Midwife to Movie Star: Natalie Quarry's Dramatic Career Shift
Natalie Quarry, best known for her role as midwife Rosalind in the beloved BBC drama Call The Midwife, is embarking on a strikingly different cinematic journey. As her character gets married in tonight's highly anticipated series finale, the actress herself is preparing to unveil a super raunchy new role in the satirical war film Think Of England.
A Controversial Historical Premise
The 26-year-old actress stars in this provocative film, which explores the urban legend that Winston Churchill commissioned pornography during World War II to boost troop morale. Quarry plays Holly, an aspiring actress from a difficult background who is recruited by the government for this unusual wartime project.
"It's set in 1943 and it's about a group of people from all different walks of life who have been connected by the government to make a certain type of film for the boys on the front," Quarry explains. "It's a very interesting departure from my previous work."
Navigating Fact and Fiction
While the Churchill pornography story remains unproven historically, Quarry found the premise compelling. "When I first saw the project, I was like, 'Oh, this is based on a true story. Cool!' Then the more that I spoke to the team, did the research, I realised it's not necessarily true, but it's not inconceivable to think Churchill was trying to make these plans," she reveals.
The actress adds thoughtfully: "Whether or not it's really got any kind of base in any truth, who knows? That's the fun of the film."
Exploring Complex Themes Through Character
In Think Of England, directed by Richard Hawkins, Holly represents the desperation and ambition of wartime Britain. "She's desperate to become an actor," Quarry describes. "She comes from a very difficult background and when we meet her, she's been in some trouble. She is navigating where her personal boundaries are in connection with how much does she want this opportunity, and is it the opportunity she thinks it is."
The film delves into themes of:
- Power dynamics in wartime
- Personal coercion and vulnerability
- The blurred lines between opportunity and exploitation
- Emotional boundaries under pressure
Embracing Nudity and Challenging Scenes
Given the film's subject matter, nudity was essential to the production. Unlike her character Holly, who struggles with the prospect of stripping off for sex scenes, Quarry approached these challenging moments with professional enthusiasm.
"I was excited about it," she confesses. "I'm really interested in doing a lot of different work. The joy of being an actor is you get to explore so many different times and perspectives. I was just excited to try something new that I've not done before. I mean, perhaps I was a little nervous, but I'm so glad I did it. I had the best time."
Building Trust for Intimate Scenes
Quarry credits her co-star Jack Bandiera, who plays Corporal Evans, with creating a safe working environment for the film's intense scenes. "I love him, he's a great actor," she says. "The character is a bit scary, but in real life he's a lovely person and not scary at all. That's what made working on the intense scenes easier because you have to have a level of trust. If you can explore it in a way that feels safe, you can take it quite far."
Contrasting with Call The Midwife Finale
Tonight's Call The Midwife finale presents a stark contrast to Quarry's film work, with her character Rosalind embroiled in a racism controversy as she prepares to marry black pastor Cyril Robinson, played by Zephryn Taitte. The interracial romance has been warmly received by viewers despite facing family disapproval within the show's narrative.
Writer Heidi Thomas is taking a break from the series to focus on both a movie adaptation and an upcoming prequel, leaving fans in suspense about the characters' futures. "I'm personally excited to watch the prequel," Quarry shares. "It sounds incredibly interesting. And then the film is a very exciting prospect. Especially to be all together and doing the same work, but in a slightly different way... filming a film is just different. It will be exciting and really fun. There's a lot more to come."
Release Details and Festival Screening
Think Of England will make its debut at the Manchester Film Festival on March 22, followed by a general theatrical release. The film represents not just a career departure for Quarry, but an exploration of Britain's complex wartime history through a provocative and unconventional lens.
As audiences say goodbye to Rosalind in tonight's Call The Midwife finale, they can look forward to seeing Natalie Quarry in a dramatically different light when Think Of England arrives in cinemas, showcasing the actress's range and willingness to tackle challenging, boundary-pushing material.
