One of the stars of BBC Drama Call the Midwife has spoken of revisiting the Catholic faith she was brought up in as part of research for her role.

Ella Bruccoleri who plays Sister Frances gave up her faith when she left home at 18.

Speaking to the Mirror she explained how she became agnostic.

"I didn't know what I believed in so I would figure it out along the way. I became open to everybody's ­religious beliefs," she said.

When she landed her new role as a TV nun, she said she returned to church for research.

"I went to visit nuns. I started going to church services again, reading the Bible, watching a lot of documentaries.

"I tried to look at the world through ­different eyes."

Despite claiming she has "much respect" for the faith Bruccoleri says there's too many rules which stop her returning to it.

She says she was amazed to get to the part and has already signed up for the next series.

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