Call the Midwife Joyce star's life off-screen from travels to forgotten BBC role

Joyce Highland is set to take centre stage in Call the Midwife during Sunday's (23 February) episode. The midwife, portrayed by Renee Bailey, finds herself in hot waters following an official complaint from a patient.

In teaser images, Joyce is seen facing her disciplinary hearing alongside Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter), with the nurse looking worried. The hearing comes after Joyce attempted to help a racist mum-to-be, who blamed her for the fact she'd developed thrombosis.

That's not the end of the drama for Joyce, as another spoiler shows her having a tense conversation with Cyril (Zephryn Taitte) after she warned Rosalind (Natalie Quarry) not to pursue a romance with him.

While we've gotten to know Joyce and her story well over recent months, here's a look into actress Renee's life off-screen...

London-based actress Renee joined Call the Midwife in 2024, but prior to this she actually starred in another BBC show, as well as a hit Netflix series.

Renee played Laila in eight episodes of hit Netflix series Rebel Cheer Squad, released in 2022. Back in 2014, she starred in Channel 4 mini-series How to be a Person.

The star portrayed Paris in the BBC Three series Mood, which was released in March 2022. The show explores the influencer world, and marked Renee's first major TV role.

She said she was "so grateful" for the role in a sweet social media post, writing at the time: "And that’s a wrap on Paris #Mood. So grateful to have played this part in what is a mammoth of a show. Trial by fire. First TV job. Getting to act, rap and dance. Teen Ren would be gassed. Grateful for @thelecky vision, story and trust in me for this one My CHARGIE And of course the legend @shaheenbaigcasting."

Renee's Instagram account also features many behind the scenes snaps on the Call the Midwife set, as well as photos from glamorous red carpet events, including the National Television Awards.

She also frequently posts images of nights out with pals and trips, having even created a second Instagram account dedicated to her travels, (@weexploren).

Renee, who describes herself as a 'travel content creator' showcases her many trips on the account, having visited places such as Paris, Budapest and Estonia. Most recently, she headed to Ghana to celebrate her 30th birthday with her loved ones.

Renee joined Call the Midwife in the show's 13th series, with her character's backstory being a main focus on the BBC show.

In an interview with Radio Times, Renee described her character: "Joyce is a force. She is driven and knows what she wants. She's come to England from Trinidad and was training in Birmingham before London.

"I've tried to bring in a little more softness as well as qualities that I love in Black women generally. I don't want her to just be this stereotypical idea of what a strong Black woman looks like. She has a lot of tenderness."

Call the Midwife will air on Sunday, 23 February at 8pm on BBC One.