If you’ve ever found yourself weeping over a piece of cake on a Sunday night, you’re probably a Call the Midwife fan. And if you’re a fan, you know exactly who the heart of Nonnatus House is. It isn't just the bicycles or the primary-colored cardigans. It’s the woman who quotes Keats while wandering through the fog in her nightgown. Judy Parfitt is the legendary actress who plays Sister Monica Joan, and honestly, the show wouldn't be half as magical without her.
She’s been there since the very first episode in 2012. Think about that for a second. In a show where main characters leave more often than the London tide, Parfitt has remained the one true constant. She plays a woman who was one of the first midwives in England—a radical, a rebel, and now, a woman navigating the hazy, often terrifying edges of dementia.
The Woman Behind the Habit: Who is Judy Parfitt?
A lot of people think Judy Parfitt just appeared out of thin air when the 1950s drama started. Not even close. She’s a powerhouse. Born in Sheffield back in 1935, she’s been acting since 1954. She’s basically royalty in the British acting world, though she’d probably scoff at that. She trained at RADA (the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art), which is where all the greats go to learn how to command a room with just a glance.
Before she was stealing cakes at Nonnatus House, she was playing queens and aristocrats. She has this regal vibe that makes her perfect for "imperious" roles. You might recognize her as Maria Thins from Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003). She was so good in that she got a BAFTA nomination. Or maybe you remember her as the terrifyingly cold Mildred Layton in The Jewel in the Crown (1984).
She’s got range. Like, serious range.
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Why Sister Monica Joan is So Hard to Play
Playing someone with dementia is a tightrope walk. You can easily lean too far into the tragedy or make it feel like a caricature. Parfitt doesn't do that. She plays Monica Joan as "multi-colored," as she once put it. One minute she’s incredibly sharp, using her massive intellect to solve a medical mystery that the younger nurses missed. The next, she’s lost in a memory of her mother’s jewelry.
It’s the "wilful naughtiness" that fans love most.
The character was born into a wealthy family but chose the "scandalous" path of nursing and religion. That backbone of steel is still there, even if her memory is fraying. Parfitt has mentioned in interviews that she loves the character’s unpredictability. She’s not just an old lady in a chair; she’s a philosopher who happens to be obsessed with astrology and eclairs.
A Career That Spans Decades
If you look at her resume, it’s basically a history of British television.
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- The Avengers (1962-1968): She popped up in several episodes of this cult classic.
- Hamlet (1969): She played Queen Gertrude. Fun fact: she was only three years older than the actor playing her son. That's show business for you.
- Pride and Prejudice (1980): She was the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
- Dolores Claiborne (1995): She played Vera Donovan, the wealthy, dying employer. This is often cited as one of her best film performances.
- Little Dorrit (2008): She played the villainous Mrs. Clennam.
She’s also been in ER, Murder, She Wrote, and Midsomer Murders. Basically, if there’s a prestige drama, Judy Parfitt has probably been in it.
The Heartbreak Behind the Performance
There’s a reason Judy Parfitt plays the confusion and isolation of Sister Monica Joan so convincingly. It comes from a very real, very painful place. Her husband, actor Tony Steedman, suffered from Alzheimer’s before he passed away in 2001. They were married for nearly 40 years.
She’s been very open about how "lonely" that experience was. When you see Sister Monica Joan struggling to connect or feeling like she’s a burden to Sister Julienne, that isn't just "good acting." It’s someone who has sat across the table from that reality for years. It’s why the character feels so human. You aren't just watching a script; you're watching a life.
Is She Leaving the Show?
Every single year, fans freak out. A new trailer drops, Sister Monica Joan looks a bit pale, and the internet goes into a tailspin. "Is this the end for her?"
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Honestly? She’s 90 years old as of early 2026. She’s earned a rest. But she seems to love the work. She’s spoken about how being on set keeps her going. As long as the writers keep giving her those beautiful, rambling monologues about the universe and the Holy Spirit, she seems happy to stay in the habit.
What We Can Learn From Judy Parfitt
There is something so cool about seeing a woman in her late 80s and early 90s be the standout star of a hit show. She isn't a background character. She’s the moral compass.
The next time you’re watching Call the Midwife and you wonder who plays Sister Monica Joan, remember that you’re watching a masterclass. Judy Parfitt didn't just take a job; she created a legacy. She reminds us that aging isn't just about loss—it’s about the layers of stories we carry with us.
If you want to dive deeper into her work, check out these steps:
- Watch "Girl with a Pearl Earring" to see her play a completely different, much more calculating matriarch.
- Look up her 1960s work in The Avengers to see her as a glamorous young actress before the nun’s habit became her most famous outfit.
- Pay attention to the background in Call the Midwife—often, Parfitt’s best acting is just a silent reaction in the corner of the room.
The character of Sister Monica Joan is a gift to television, and Judy Parfitt is the only one who could have unwrapped it so perfectly.