Linda Bassett: Age, Wig in Call the Midwife, Career
Few television characters feel as instantly comforting as Nurse Phyllis Crane, the no-nonsense midwife with a soft heart that Linda Bassett has played since 2015. But long before Bassett became a fixture on period drama fans’ screens, she built a career that stretches from a BAFTA-nominated film role to the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Born: 4 February 1950 ·
Birthplace: Pluckley, Kent, England ·
Known for: Nurse Phyllis Crane in Call the Midwife ·
Notable role: Ella Khan in East is East (BAFTA nomination) ·
Marital status: Separated from husband (linguist Greg Cruttwell) ·
Wig in Call the Midwife: Yes, naturally curly wig
Quick snapshot
- Born 4 February 1950 in Pluckley, Kent (Wikipedia)
- Portrays Nurse Phyllis Crane on Call the Midwife since 2015 (Wikipedia)
- Nominated for BAFTA for East is East (OK! Magazine)
- Appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (IMDb)
- Exact date of separation from husband Greg Cruttwell — not publicly confirmed (OK! Magazine)
- Whether Bassett has children — no public confirmation (OK! Magazine)
- Exact age of character Phyllis Crane on Call the Midwife (OK! Magazine)
- Stage debut at age 32 after studying at University of Leeds (OK! Magazine)
- BAFTA nomination in 1999 for East is East (Wikipedia)
- Joined Call the Midwife cast in 2015 (Wikipedia)
- Continues to appear as Nurse Crane in Call the Midwife (Wikipedia)
- Patron of Baby Lifeline charity (Baby Lifeline)
- Remains active in stage and screen work (Wikipedia)
Eight key facts, one pattern: Bassett’s career is a study in slow, steady accumulation of major credits rather than early stardom.
Key facts at a glance.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Linda Bassett |
| Date of birth | |
| Birthplace | Pluckley, Kent, England |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Known for TV | Nurse Phyllis Crane in Call the Midwife |
| Notable film | East is East (1999) |
| BAFTA nomination | Best Actress for East is East |
How old is Linda Bassett?
Linda Bassett was born on in Pluckley, Kent, England, according to Wikipedia. That makes her 75 years old as of 2025.
Bassett didn’t make her stage debut until age 32 — a late start by industry standards — yet she has built one of British television’s most enduring late-career runs. Her age became an asset for the role of Nurse Crane, a senior midwife whose life experience anchors the younger characters.
When was Linda Bassett born?
- Full date:
- Birthplace: Pluckley, Kent, England (Wikipedia)
- She moved to Pimlico, London early in her career (Apple TV)
The implication: Bassett’s age anchors both her personal biography and her most famous character — Phyllis Crane’s gravitas comes from an actress who brought decades of life experience to the role.
Does Linda Bassett wear a wig in Call the Midwife?
Yes, Linda Bassett wears a naturally curly wig as Nurse Phyllis Crane on Call the Midwife. She confirmed this herself in interviews, explaining that her natural hair is straight and the period-appropriate style requires a wig to match the 1960s setting.
Does Nurse Crane wear a wig in Call the Midwife?
- Yes — Bassett’s character wears a naturally curly wig for period accuracy (OK! Magazine)
- Fellow cast member Trixie also wears a wig to maintain the 1960s hairstyle authenticity
- The wigs are part of the show’s meticulous costume design to reflect the era accurately
The trade-off: Wigs help the show achieve period authenticity, but Bassett has joked about the discomfort of wearing one during long filming days. For viewers, the result is a character who looks entirely of her time.
What happened to Nurse Phyllis on Call the Midwife?
Nurse Phyllis Crane remains a main character on Call the Midwife through many series. She first appeared in series 4 (2015) and has been a steady presence ever since, serving as the senior midwife at Nonnatus House.
How old is Phyllis in Call the Midwife?
- Phyllis’s exact age is not explicitly stated on the show
- She is portrayed as an older, experienced midwife — likely in her 50s or 60s during the show’s 1960s timeline
- Bassett was 65 when she joined the cast in 2015
The pattern: Phyllis Crane represents a rare television archetype — an older woman who is competent, kind, and never reduced to a comic sidekick. Bassett’s refusal to chase fame (as she described in a Guardian interview) allowed her to build this role without the trappings of celebrity.
Is Linda Bassett still married?
According to reports, Bassett married linguist Greg Cruttwell, but they separated in the 1990s. Some sources, including IMDb and Spanish Wikipedia, list her as married to journalist Julian Foster, with OK! Magazine reporting they were married for ten years before divorcing. The exact timeline of her relationships remains unclear, as Bassett keeps her personal life private.
Who is Linda Bassett’s husband?
- Greg Cruttwell — a linguist she married in the 1990s; they later separated
- Julian Foster — a journalist, reported by IMDb and Spanish Wikipedia as her husband
- No children have been publicly confirmed
The conflicting reports about Bassett’s marital status illustrate how she has kept her private life almost entirely out of the public eye. For journalists and fans, this means any claims about her husband or children should be treated with caution — only Bassett herself has confirmed details.
What is Linda Bassett’s most iconic role?
Nurse Phyllis Crane in Call the Midwife is widely considered her most iconic role, reaching millions of viewers weekly. But Bassett’s film career includes a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress for her performance as Ella Khan in East is East (1999).
Linda Bassett movies and TV shows
- East is East (1999) — BAFTA-nominated performance as Ella Khan (Wikipedia)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) — played a witch in the Leaky Cauldron scene (IMDb)
- Calendar Girls (2003) and Kinky Boots (2005) — supporting film roles (IMDb)
- Lark Rise to Candleford (2008-2011) — TV series role (Wikipedia)
- The Darling Buds of May (1991) — early TV credit (IMDb)
- Dinnerladies — Victoria Wood’s sitcom (Wikipedia)
Linda Bassett young appearances
Bassett’s early career included theatre work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and her film debut in 1987 as Gertrude Stein in American Playhouse (OK! Magazine). She also appeared in Paris by Night (1988) before building her television profile.
Linda Bassett Harry Potter role
Yes, Bassett appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) as a witch in the Leaky Cauldron. It’s a small role, but one that fans of the franchise regularly ask about (IMDb).
Why this matters: Bassett’s filmography reveals an actress who chose projects for interest rather than career advancement. As she told the Guardian, “I’ve been crap at the whole career-building thing — I just take work that interests me.”
What is the saddest episode in Call the Midwife?
Several Call the Midwife episodes are considered among the saddest in television history, often involving stillbirth, maternal death, or the loss of beloved characters. Fans consistently cite certain episodes as particularly emotional milestones.
- Series 3, episode 7 — Sister Evangelina’s death is frequently named the saddest episode (OK! Magazine)
- Series 6, episode 8 — another fan-favourite for emotional impact
- Episodes dealing with thalidomide-affected babies and maternal mortality are also commonly cited
Call the Midwife’s saddest episodes are also its most acclaimed — proving that honest portrayals of grief and loss can build deeper audience loyalty than lighter storylines. For the BBC, this trade-off has paid off: the show remains one of its highest-rated dramas.
Timeline: Linda Bassett’s career milestones
- — Born in Pluckley, Kent (Wikipedia)
- 1980s — Begins acting career after studying at University of Leeds (OK! Magazine)
- 1987 — Film debut as Gertrude Stein in American Playhouse (OK! Magazine)
- 1991 — Appears in The Darling Buds of May (IMDb)
- 1999 — Nominated for BAFTA for East is East (Wikipedia)
- 2001 — Appears in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (IMDb)
- 2008–2011 — Stars in Lark Rise to Candleford (Wikipedia)
- 2012–present — Portrays Nurse Phyllis Crane in Call the Midwife (Wikipedia)
- 2025 — Continues as patron of Baby Lifeline charity (Baby Lifeline)
Quotes from Linda Bassett
“I’ve been crap at the whole career-building thing — I just take work that interests me.”
— Linda Bassett, Guardian interview (OK! Magazine)
That quote captures Bassett’s approach: a career built on curiosity rather than calculation. For an actress whose most famous role came in her mid-60s, it’s a philosophy that worked.
elcinema.com, imdb.com, britaindaily.uk, de.wikipedia.org, ourhairstyle.com, filmreference.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Linda Bassett win a BAFTA?
No, she was nominated for Best Actress for East is East but did not win (Wikipedia).
What was Linda Bassett’s first acting role?
Her film debut was in 1987 as Gertrude Stein in American Playhouse, after making her stage debut at age 32 (OK! Magazine).
Is Linda Bassett related to any other actors?
No, there are no public records of her being related to other actors in the industry.
How long has Linda Bassett been on Call the Midwife?
She joined the cast in 2015 and has appeared continuously since then, making it over a decade on the show (Wikipedia).
Did Linda Bassett train at drama school?
She studied at the University of Leeds but did not attend a traditional drama school. She worked as an usher at the Old Vic Theatre while studying (OK! Magazine).
What charity does Linda Bassett support?
She is a patron of Baby Lifeline, a charity that works to improve maternity care and support for pregnant women (Baby Lifeline).
Has Linda Bassett won any awards besides the nomination?
While she has not won major industry awards, her BAFTA nomination for East is East remains her most significant recognition. She has earned critical acclaim but prizes selectivity over chasing accolades.
For fans of British television, the choice is clear: Linda Bassett represents a rare type of actor who delivers consistent, understated excellence without the machinery of celebrity. Whether you’re rewatching East is East for the tenth time or discovering Nurse Crane for the first time, her work rewards the attention.
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