Sister Julienne, the sister-in-charge of Nonnatus House, manages both her charges and fellow sisters with a combination of tact, compassion, and no-nonsense advice. Her steadfast, compassionate guidance makes her an anchor for her colleagues, and the centre of organisation, offering comfort and help to the young midwives.
She has a notably close, warm and maternal relationship with Sister Bernadette, serving as her chief mentor and confidante. Beginning with Series 4, it becomes clear that the weight of always having to be "the wise one" takes a heavier toll on her than many would guess, and she is increasingly shown leaning on Shelagh formerly Sister Bernadette for counsel and support; nevertheless, her faith is not shaken and she remains a serene, guiding presence for all of Nonnatus House.
Her pre-order name was Louise. Sister Ursula leaves in the third episode, and Sister Julienne becomes sister-in-charge again.
One of the UK's earliest registered nurses , and the last surviving founder of Nonnatus House, Sister Monica Joan whose birth name was Antonia Keville retired from practice prior to the events of the series. She is suffering from the early stages of dementia as well as being frail in body. Desperate to be of service and feel useful, she is given make-work tasks to keep her occupied, such as rolling bandages which the nurses secretly unrolled beforehand.
Sister Julienne expresses that it is now their privilege to care for her. It is never entirely clear how much of Sister Monica Joan's eccentricity is due to the frailty of age, or as Jenny and Sister Bernadette suspect sheer willful naughtiness. She has a habit of devouring all the sweets at Nonnatus House, leading everyone to try to hide them from her. She also knits woollen teddy bears and casts her horoscope in the stars and planets in order to tell her future. It is evident that Sister Monica Joan is well-educated and well-read, as she frequently quotes a wide range of authors from Greek philosophers and Freud, to Keats and Shakespeare.
