Rising Star Leonie Elliott: “Why there is no such thing as a small role”

Prepare, prepare, prepare! You simply cannot give your best performance if you’re underprepared. That means memorising your sides; warming up and doing whatever you have to do to be emotionally present. There are so many reasons why you may not book a role but if you make a good impression that casting director will always ask to you see you again.

There is no such thing as a small role. Even if it’s one line, make it count. You never know who’s watching.

I had the pleasure to interview Leonie Elliott (Wonderous Oblivion, Danny and the Human Zoo, Black Mirror), who plays Nurse Lucille Anderson, in the award-winning BBC drama CALL THE MIDWIFE. Elegant, funny and clever, Lucille is swift to settle in, and brings a fresh new energy to life at Nonnatus House. Through her eyes we explore the experiences of Caribbean nurses who came over in the 1960s to support the growing NHS.

Thank you so much for doing this with us Leonie! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?